In this beautiful book of classic fairy tales, award-winning author Philip Pullman has chosen his fifty favourite stories from the Brothers Grimm and presents them in a'clear as water' retelling, in his unique and brilliant voice.
From the quests and romance of classics such as 'Rapunzel', 'Snow White' and 'Cinderella' to the danger and wit of such lesser-known tales as 'The Three Snake Leaves', 'Hans-my-Hedgehog' and 'Godfather Death', Pullman brings the heart of each timeless tale to the fore, following with a brief but fascinating commentary on the story's background and history. In his introduction, he discusses how these stories have lasted so long, and become part of our collective storytelling imagination.
These new versions show the adventures at their most lucid and engaging yet. Pullman's Grimm Tales of wicked wives, brave children and villainous kings will have you reading, reading aloud and rereading them for many years to come.
About the Author
Philip Pullman was born in Norwich on 19th October 1946. He is the acclaimed author of the His Dark Materials trilogy: Northern Lights, The Subtle Knife, and The Amber Spyglass. His other books for children and young adults include Count Karlstein and a trilogy of Victorian thrillers featuring Sally Lockhart. Northern Lights, the first of Pullman's His Dark Materials triology, won the Carnegie Medal and the Guardian Fiction Prize.
Industry Reviews
A supreme storyteller -- Sally Vickers (praise for THE GOOD MAN JESUS AND THE SCOUNDREL CHRIST) * Telegraph * Pullman has a gift for creating scenes that make the reader want to put down the book and say "wow" -- (praise for THE GOOD MAN JESUS AND THE SCOUNDREL CHRIST) * Times Educational Supplement * Never putting a foot wrong, the result is a magical complexity-in-simplicity that is sure to become a classic in its own right -- Adam Lively * Sunday Times * A fresh, sparkling collection of the finest stories from the Brothers Grimm, hand-picked by an author perfectly suited to the task. This volume is a must-have for any lover of fairy tales. . . . In the hands of a master storyteller such as Pullman, the Grimms's tales take on a whole new life * Library Journal * A wonderfully rich reading experience . . . Stylish in its simplicity [and with] a salutary clarity and directness . . . In addition to his elegant introduction, [Pullman] concludes each tale with his own always interesting commentary. . . . There are, of course, any number of English-language versions and editions of Grimm, but few are as felicitous in their telling as Pullman's. His book surely belongs on the same shelf as the very best of those that appeal to general readers of all ages * Booklist * Readers will enjoy not only returning to European fantasy's roots but seeing how the tree still blooms. . . . Smooth narration makes every tale accessible while keeping the mystical and lyrical qualities that make fairy tales so beloved * Publishers Weekly * You didn't know you needed to reread Grimm. You do. This is a grand and a great book. With confidence and modesty alike, Pullman adds just enough Pullman to remind us that the oldest stories are always best told by someone who knows how to do the job of storytelling. No grandstanding here, no posturing or poesy-making. Pullman selects familiars and exotics, and gives us the goods anew-the ashes never grittier, the golden shoes never more lively, and the teller's notes concise, witty, scholarly even. Older Grimms-put them on the top of the bookcase. This one needs to be closer to hand. I read it ravenously, rapturously -- Gregory Maguire, author of 'Wicked and Making Mischief: A Maurice Sendak Appreciation' I could not imagine a better emissary for the Brothers Grimm than Philip Pullman. His translations have the timeless quality of a voice speaking in a quiet room, at once ancient and immediate to the senses. What a pleasure it is to be reacquainted with these stories in all their swiftness, wonder, horror, and charm -- Kevin Brockmeier, author of 'The Brief History of the Dead' Philip Pullman's Grimm is quite eloquent, and his commentary is witty and historically accurate. There is no doubt in my mind that the Grimms would have been delighted with what he has accomplished -- Jack Zipes, Professor Emeritus, University of Minnesota In this pitch-perfect retelling of the Grimms' fairy tales, Philip Pullman reminds us that the stories have lost none of their relevance or racing energy, even two hundred years after they were written down. As storyteller and sage, he preserves the flavors and aromas of fine, old wines from times past and delivers them to us in sparkling new bottles -- Maria Tatar, Harvard University; author of 'The Classic Fairy Tales' I've admired Philip Pullman since his early fantasy Galatea on through the splendid trilogy His Dark Materials. All of his gifts, including his prose eloquence, and his endless high Romantic imagination, are manifested in this marvelous retelling of Grimm -- Harold Bloom Philip Pullman has radically reworked the Grimm tales for all ages -- Nicolette Jones * Telegraph * One of Pullman's most useful additions is the vastly improved poems and jingles...his freer versions are catchy and authentic * Guardian *
