Fairy tales are essential to childhood. They are imagination that whispers to us, takes us on journeys, and connects us to others. They also are about as gentle a way of exposing a child to the horrors of this world, as there is.
Original English translation by Pat S.Iverson, who wrote the fine Afterword in this book; she says , Andersen as a" storyteller ranks as one of the greatest literary geniuses" the world has ever known. He created a number of the stories from his own imagination; his originals captivated the imagination of the world; e. g. "The Little Mermaid" He borrowed from ancient folk tales, or romances from around the world
Iverson's translation is considered by many Danish readers to be closest to Andersen's style - nothing extraneous added; nothing salient omitted; "his unique strangeness" shines through in her English versions of these tales, in this Signet Classic (Penguin) edition.
This collection of 47 of his most world famous stories transports the adult reader and juvenile alike into a magical world of kings, princesses, farm lads, mermaids and even the devil's grandmother. And often we are shocked into "recognizing a human truth," within the tale. Andersen's most fervent wish during his successful career as a novelist, playwright, and stories author was that his public, publishers and reviewers never call his tales, only "children's stories". B&W illustr.
Iverson's translation is considered by many Danish readers to be closest to Andersen's style - nothing extraneous added; nothing salient omitted; "his unique strangeness" shines through in her English versions of these tales, in this Signet Classic (Penguin) edition.
This collection of 47 of his most world famous stories transports the adult reader and juvenile alike into a magical world of kings, princesses, farm lads, mermaids and even the devil's grandmother. And often we are shocked into "recognizing a human truth," within the tale. Andersen's most fervent wish during his successful career as a novelist, playwright, and stories author was that his public, publishers and reviewers never call his tales, only "children's stories". B&W illustr.
Classic fairy tales. A number of both black and white drawings and color drawings accompany the stories.
