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The Original Folk and Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm cover art

The Original Folk and Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm

By: Jacob Grimm, Wilhelm Grimm, Jack Zipes - translator/editor
Narrated by: Joel Richards, Cassandra Campbell
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Publisher's Summary

When Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm published their Children's and Household Tales in 1812, followed by a second volume in 1815, they had no idea that such stories as "Rapunzel", "Hansel and Gretel", and "Cinderella" would become the most celebrated in the world. Yet few people today are familiar with the majority of tales from the two early volumes, since in the next four decades the Grimms would publish six other editions, each extensively revised in content and style. For the very first time, The Original Folk and Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm makes available in English all 156 stories from the 1812 and 1815 editions. These narrative gems, are newly translated and brought together in one beautiful audiobook. From "The Frog King" to "The Golden Key", wondrous worlds unfold - heroes and heroines are rewarded, weaker animals triumph over the strong, and simple bumpkins prove themselves not so simple after all. Esteemed fairy tale scholar Jack Zipes offers accessible translations that retain the spare description and engaging storytelling style of the originals. Indeed, this is what makes the tales from the 1812 and 1815 editions unique - they reflect diverse voices, rooted in oral traditions, that are absent from the Grimms' later, more embellished collections of tales. Zipes' introduction gives important historical context, and the book includes the Grimms' prefaces and notes. A delight to read, The Original Folk and Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm presents these peerless stories to a whole new generation of readers.

©2014 Princeton University Press (P)2014 Audible Inc.

What listeners say about The Original Folk and Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Each table more unpredictable than the rest

It took a while, but there was never a dull moment in.each whimsical dark tale. Grimms really did folklore justice/best.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Professional but uninterested performance

Jack Zipes, the world's foremost expert on fairy tale and legend, translates the original Grimms collection. It would be great, if it weren't for the performance. Professional but ultimately uninterested, it robs the material of it's life - leaving just hours of bland speech. Unless you're heavily into the subject matter, or really can't spare the time, it'd be better to just read the book.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Interesting though a bit repetitive

Interesting though a bit repetitive - not as engaging as the Norse Myths I read earlier in the year nor as well presented as the Steven Fry Greek Myths series.

In the preface of the the Grimm Bros apparently state that these stories are taken from the immediate area surrounding where they lived and are, therefore, originals. But, this is not correct. Cinderella has many versions but the Chinese and Greek versions of this classic tale go back to the 9th century CE and 6th century BCE, respectively. There is even one tale in the Grimms originals which is a direct correlation to Greek Mythology, but I can not remember exactly which one.

Of the narrators: both do a reasonable job. Joel Richards's delivery is more bland and lacks life. Cassandra Campbell at least makes an effort - she makes it feel like she is actually telling you the story as she might a child before bedtime.

Overall, not a bad listen but, as I say it the title of this, a bit repetitive and not an overall lively delivery.

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1 person found this helpful

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