A Short Review of Fairy Tales from the Brothers Grimm, by Philip Pullman

Fairy Tales from the Brothers Grimm: A New English Version by Philip Pullman

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


While I have some issues with Pullman, mostly about his issues with C.S. Lewis, I really did enjoy reading these 50 retellings of classic Grimm fairy tales.

The ones a reader would expect are included, such as "The Frog King,' "Rapunzel," "Hansel and Gretel," "The Brave Little Tailor," "Cinderella," and "Rumpelstiltskin," among others. Pullman also includes some of those that are lesser-known, such as "The Three Snake Leaves, " "Godfather Death," and "The Girl with No Hands." The writing is crisp and clear, and sharp and often funny.

"At the end of each tale Pullman offers a brief personal commentary, opening up a window on the sources of the tales, the various forms, they've taken over the centuries and their everlasting appeal" (front jacket). These and the introduction add to the value of this collection for the general reader and the fairy tale scholar.

Recommended.



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