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booksandthebronxgirl's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I was raised on these fairytales. I was never a Disney princess girl. I was always a Grimm's and Andersen girl. When I was a kid in the 70s, the Disneyfication of the world was still far in the future. I always preferred the darker, more original tales.
macabrelibrarian's review against another edition
An inanimate object or person suffers from hubris, low self-esteem, or falls in love. Something terrible happens in a bizarrely nonchalant manner. The appropriate parties are punished. We've all been morally enlightened.
It's difficult to critique stories like these, since they are the basis of so many things we know and love. Ideas about many of Andersen's subjects have been so deeply ingrained in us, it's difficult to unwind those perceptions and look at the stories for what they were in their time or to experience them as if they were brand new to us. What I'm saying is, I understand their value. But I look at this volume as something I would enjoy using more as a reference while I'm writing poetry, short stories, or essays. I attempted to read it straight through and have to admit that I didn't make it, even just reading three a day. It is just so exactly what you'd expect with only a few exceptions, a few little quips that jolt you out of the rhythm of the story.
To be honest, my reaction was, "Meh." And I so did not want my reaction to be, "Meh." Even if I was a child and I had the option to read Andersen for a bedtime story, I'd probably only want to get this out once a month. And I certainly wouldn't pick any of the numerous stories about sentient household items (btdubs, not anywhere close to as exciting as those in Beauty and the Beast). As a kid, I wouldn't have cared a fig about the moral travesties of a narcissistic darning needle.
It's difficult to critique stories like these, since they are the basis of so many things we know and love. Ideas about many of Andersen's subjects have been so deeply ingrained in us, it's difficult to unwind those perceptions and look at the stories for what they were in their time or to experience them as if they were brand new to us. What I'm saying is, I understand their value. But I look at this volume as something I would enjoy using more as a reference while I'm writing poetry, short stories, or essays. I attempted to read it straight through and have to admit that I didn't make it, even just reading three a day. It is just so exactly what you'd expect with only a few exceptions, a few little quips that jolt you out of the rhythm of the story.
To be honest, my reaction was, "Meh." And I so did not want my reaction to be, "Meh." Even if I was a child and I had the option to read Andersen for a bedtime story, I'd probably only want to get this out once a month. And I certainly wouldn't pick any of the numerous stories about sentient household items (btdubs, not anywhere close to as exciting as those in Beauty and the Beast). As a kid, I wouldn't have cared a fig about the moral travesties of a narcissistic darning needle.
kathrine_jeppesen's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
pstlaurent's review against another edition
4.0
Thoroughly enjoyed rereading some of my favorite fairy tales. Dear old Hans never fails to take me back to my childhood.
abomine's review against another edition
4.0
Perfect Musical Pairing: Cosmic Love by Florence + The Machine
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These beautiful tales are like shards of colored glass: delicate, glittering, and razor-sharp. Hold them gently and with great care.
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These beautiful tales are like shards of colored glass: delicate, glittering, and razor-sharp. Hold them gently and with great care.
tqlikesbooks's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 stars
I found myself enjoying very few of the stories. The stories I did enjoy are limited to: The Little Mermaid, The Snow Queen, The Emperor's New Clothes and The Little Match girl. These also happen to be Hans Christian Anderson's most enduring and recognisable stories and perhaps that is why I liked them- because I had often encountered them in my childhood.
However I found almost all the other stories completely boring (which I believe is why it took me months to finish this book). I also found the stories quite juvenile (though I suppose they are fairy tales and therefore aimed at young children). Just not really my thing I suppose.
I found myself enjoying very few of the stories. The stories I did enjoy are limited to: The Little Mermaid, The Snow Queen, The Emperor's New Clothes and The Little Match girl. These also happen to be Hans Christian Anderson's most enduring and recognisable stories and perhaps that is why I liked them- because I had often encountered them in my childhood.
However I found almost all the other stories completely boring (which I believe is why it took me months to finish this book). I also found the stories quite juvenile (though I suppose they are fairy tales and therefore aimed at young children). Just not really my thing I suppose.