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Fairy Tales from the Brothers Grimm, a new version from Phillip Pullman

October 28, 2013 by Michelle M

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

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Fairy_Tales_from_the_Brothers_GrimmAs a book reviewer, I received a copy of the book for review purposes.

I love fairy tales. I grew up reading them, and my mom still has my Mother Goose collection. Remember that big book with the black and white checked background? As I grew older, I created my own fairy tale collection, so when I had the chance to read Fairy Tales from the Brothers Grimm: A New English Version by Philip Pullman, I jumped at it.

Fairy tales are popular right now. Movie adaptations and popular TV series like Once Upon a Time feature reinvented fairy tales.

Philip Pullman’s Fairy Tales from the Brothers Grimm does the opposite. Instead of taking the fairy tales as we know them today and expanding from there. Instead, he goes back to the basics, recreating the original, bare bones tales as best he could from texts, adding only details needed to make the stories flow better – many of which needed no such assistance.

The fairy tales include many that I’d never heard before. While they include classics like “Cinderella” and “Rapunzel” and “Hansel and Gretel,” there were plenty of others from “The Three Snake Leaves” to “The Donkey Cabbage” to “The Singing Bone” that were brand new to me. It was a nice mixture, and the commentary from Pullman – usually just a few paragraphs at most – left me feeling as though I’d learned something more than just a quick dip into childhood fairy tales.

The fairy tales are never repeated, though Pullman explains that they take many forms in many cultures, in addition to the multiple versions he waded through not just in German but in the Grimm Brothers’ various publications of their fairy tales over a 40 year period. I would love to see another collection that contained four or five fairy tales with five or ten of the best variations on the theme done in a similar manner. Perhaps this could be Pullman’s next project.

For the most part, the ones in this book follow the typical fairy tale formula of a generic character – a prince or a merchant or a brother instead of a name – who is simply but fully developed without much description through fast paced action. They aren’t fables, and they haven’t been prettied up to suit our modern tastes for a happy ending. There are be-headings, plenty of villains punished by being rolled in a barrel with studded nails, and heads cut off all manner of people and beasts.

And the book is entertaining. The stories are a quick read, and they are cute. They aren’t deep by any means, but they aren’t meant to be. And while this is a book of fairy tales, I certainly wouldn’t simply hand it to Mister Man. Some of the stories aren’t aimed for today’s children. That said, there are some stories in here that I’d love to read to the wee ones at bedtime.

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Michelle only wishes her life were as simple as a fairy tale, where she could find the magic leaf that would clean the house instantly or provide her with a gold coin under her pillow each night. Instead she lives the more typical life of a mortal instead of a fairy tale character. See what her life has dealt her on her blog Honest & Truly! or follow her on Twitter where she tweets as @HonestAndTruly.

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About Michelle M

Michelle is a stay at home mom of Mister Man (8) and Little Miss (6). When she's not out volunteering or running children to therapy or practices, you can find her in the kitchen or on her personal blog Honest & Truly where there's always a good story or new recipe or at her review blog Honest And Truly Reviews.

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83 Comments

  1. Charlene Kuser says

    November 9, 2013 at 5:42 pm

    I would love to check out Hansel and Gretel.It has always been a favorite of mine

    Reply
  2. susan smoaks says

    November 9, 2013 at 5:03 pm

    i would love to check out rapunzel and hansel and gretel

    Reply
  3. linda lightner says

    November 9, 2013 at 3:12 pm

    Well i will give to some child at church. Thre princess fairy dales like rapunzel and snow white but my 46 yr old son love this movie so id give to him.

    Reply
  4. KATY RHODES says

    November 9, 2013 at 2:48 pm

    THE ONES I HAVE NOT HEARD OF YET.

    Reply
  5. heather c says

    November 9, 2013 at 1:58 pm

    Rapunzel, I think.

    Reply
  6. angela cisco says

    November 9, 2013 at 1:54 pm

    I’d like to read the Hansel & Gretel story

    Reply
  7. chickie brewer says

    November 9, 2013 at 12:45 pm

    I’ve likes Hansel AND GRETEL

    Reply
  8. Christian Alejandro says

    November 9, 2013 at 12:35 pm

    Hansel and Gretel

    Reply
  9. Amy M says

    November 9, 2013 at 12:15 pm

    I read a collection of the original Grimm tales in a pretty bare-bones translation not too long ago, so I’m super interested in this one. The Match Girl has always struck me… no pun… as a super-creepy story, so I hope it’s in here!

    Reply
  10. Shari Klyn says

    November 9, 2013 at 11:37 am

    I would love to see what he has done with Hansel and Gretel.

    Reply
  11. Pam Schad says

    November 9, 2013 at 11:05 am

    For my grandkids-Rapunzel.

    Reply
  12. brittany davenport says

    November 9, 2013 at 10:37 am

    love the brothers grimm! would be a great win!

    Reply
  13. kathy pease says

    November 9, 2013 at 10:15 am

    I always liked Little Red Riding Hood

    Reply
  14. Jennifer Reed says

    November 9, 2013 at 10:03 am

    I think the Fairy Tales from the Brothers Grimm: A New English Version would be great. I would love to read some of the new stories like “The Fisherman and his Wife”.

    Reply
  15. Barbara S says

    November 9, 2013 at 7:44 am

    I am looking forward to reading the new fairy tales since I know the old ones!

    Reply
  16. melina r says

    November 9, 2013 at 6:38 am

    I am interested in Hansel and Gretel!

    Reply
  17. Sarah L says

    November 9, 2013 at 1:59 am

    If you pick me, just go ahead and pick someone else.
    Got the book at the library. Enjoyed it, but don’t need my own copy.
    Thanks.

    Reply
  18. Justin S. says

    November 9, 2013 at 1:15 am

    Another vote for Hansel & Gretel

    Reply
  19. Mihaela Day says

    November 9, 2013 at 1:06 am

    I love the Cinderella.

    Reply
  20. Carolyn Daley says

    November 8, 2013 at 11:50 pm

    I am excited for Hansel and Gretel.

    Reply
  21. Donna Kellogg says

    November 8, 2013 at 11:47 pm

    Hansel and Gretel

    Reply
  22. Candice Hull says

    November 8, 2013 at 10:18 pm

    Not sure what it says about me, but I’ve always been a fan of Hansel and Gretel.
    Thanks

    Reply
  23. Arnold E Carroway II says

    November 8, 2013 at 9:39 pm

    The Singing Bone is the one I want to check out.

    Reply
  24. Tricha says

    November 8, 2013 at 9:20 pm

    Cinderella would be my choice

    Reply
  25. Kayci Stanley says

    November 8, 2013 at 8:38 pm

    I think “The Three Snake Leaves” sounds interesting.

    Reply
  26. Susan B says

    November 8, 2013 at 7:27 pm

    I love Rapunzel!!

    Reply
  27. Cálaeb Temple says

    November 8, 2013 at 6:46 pm

    i am interested in The Singing Bone.

    Reply
  28. Kimberly Hilbert says

    November 8, 2013 at 6:18 pm

    I hope Beauty and the Beast is in this collection. It’s one of my favorites.

    Reply
  29. Michelle Tucker says

    November 8, 2013 at 5:53 pm

    I’m thinking Hansel and Gretel.

    Reply
  30. jules m. says

    November 8, 2013 at 5:49 pm

    “The Girl with No Hands”

    Reply
  31. Mozi Esmes mom says

    November 8, 2013 at 5:24 pm

    The Donkey Cabbage sounds interesting…

    Reply
  32. Amber Carter says

    November 8, 2013 at 5:21 pm

    I would like to check out The Singing Bone

    Reply
  33. Ed Nemmers says

    November 8, 2013 at 3:57 pm

    “The Three Snake Leaves” intrigues me!

    Reply
  34. Angela Ash says

    November 8, 2013 at 3:39 pm

    I’m definitely interested in checking out all of the classics I am familiar with, especially Hansel and Gretel. The others are probably just as good.

    Reply
  35. Paula Tavernie says

    November 8, 2013 at 1:46 pm

    Hansel and Gretel!

    Reply
  36. CHRISTY SWEENEY says

    November 8, 2013 at 12:59 pm

    JACK AND THE BEANSTALK

    Reply
  37. Ben G says

    November 8, 2013 at 11:16 am

    I would like to check out “The Singing Bone.”

    Reply
  38. Beth Klocinski says

    November 8, 2013 at 11:15 am

    I am interested in Hansel and Gretel. We will be going to Germany next year so this would be a great story to refamiliarize myself with.

    Reply
  39. tina page says

    November 8, 2013 at 11:01 am

    the donkey cabbage! what a brilliant name!

    Reply
  40. Felicia says

    November 7, 2013 at 11:50 pm

    Cinderella for sure, thank you

    Reply
  41. Kayleigh D says

    November 7, 2013 at 6:52 pm

    I’m interested in all of the titles mentioned, to be honest. Though I guess I would flip to the Donkey Cabbage just because of how odd and different it sounds.

    Reading a fairy tale you’ve never read before lets you experience a little more magic than re-reading one from long ago. At least, that’s what I think. I love Pullman’s work and the Brothers’ Grimm renditions of fairy tales have also been a very interesting topic to me.

    I recently got a collection of fantasy short stories, many of them with a fairy tale vibe, called ‘unnatural Creatures’ – a variety of authors picked out by Mr. Neil Gaiman. If anyone’s out for other fantastic stories, I’d suggest picking that up. I myself am almost through with it and this would be a nice one to follow up with.

    Reply
  42. Michelle H says

    November 7, 2013 at 5:13 pm

    The classic Rapunzel.

    Reply
  43. Meagan says

    November 7, 2013 at 4:40 pm

    I have always loved Hansel & Gretel, Rapunzel & Cinderella. This would be an awesome thing to give to my future children. 🙂

    Reply
  44. Carey Miller says

    November 7, 2013 at 2:20 pm

    I love fairy tales, so it would be difficult to pick one. But I guess Rumplestiltskin has always tickled my fancy.

    Reply
  45. Heather B says

    November 6, 2013 at 9:21 am

    I have always liked Hansel and Gretel

    Reply
  46. Cynthia R says

    November 5, 2013 at 9:52 pm

    i don’t know why but i’ve always loved the story of rapanzel

    Reply
  47. Serena Powell says

    November 5, 2013 at 7:33 pm

    I always like Hansel and Gretel

    Reply
  48. ron frampton says

    November 5, 2013 at 2:51 pm

    snow white is my favorite one

    Reply
  49. Vicki Wurgler says

    November 5, 2013 at 12:17 pm

    The Brave Little Tailor

    Reply
  50. g. penrod says

    November 4, 2013 at 6:32 am

    snow white was always one of my fav.s

    Reply
  51. Ava Chavez says

    November 3, 2013 at 11:35 pm

    The Singing Bone & Rapunzel.

    Reply
  52. Shannon says

    November 3, 2013 at 9:52 pm

    I’m interested in the ones you’ve mentioned that I’ve never heard of!

    Reply
  53. Kris T. says

    November 3, 2013 at 6:33 pm

    I’m excited to check out all of the tales re-created by Pullman. He’s a master.

    Reply
  54. augrim says

    November 3, 2013 at 4:59 pm

    Hansel y Gretel.

    Reply
  55. cyndi br says

    November 3, 2013 at 1:01 pm

    hansel and gretel

    Reply
  56. Aaron Humphrey says

    November 3, 2013 at 12:54 pm

    hansel and gretel

    Reply
  57. Kim Henrichs says

    November 3, 2013 at 8:13 am

    Little Red Riding Hood!

    Reply
  58. tina reynolds says

    November 3, 2013 at 6:29 am

    The singing bong

    Reply
  59. debbie says

    November 2, 2013 at 7:37 am

    the donkey cabbage sounds good.

    Reply
  60. Sarah L says

    November 2, 2013 at 3:57 am

    The Donkey Cabbage – never heard of this one.
    Thanks for the contest.

    Reply
  61. Gianna says

    November 2, 2013 at 1:45 am

    Hansel and Gretel.

    Reply
  62. Buddy Garrett says

    November 2, 2013 at 1:14 am

    I am interested in checking out Hansel and Gretel.

    Reply
  63. Cindy B says

    November 2, 2013 at 12:34 am

    I’d love to check out the fairy tales I haven’t heard of before now!

    Reply
  64. Sarah Marshall says

    November 2, 2013 at 12:12 am

    The Donkey Cabbage sounds interesting!

    Reply
  65. Anita Yancey says

    November 1, 2013 at 3:49 pm

    I am interested in checking out Rapunzel.

    Reply
  66. Karen Lynch says

    October 31, 2013 at 9:48 am

    The Girl with No Hands sounds interesting.

    Reply
  67. Stephanie says

    October 30, 2013 at 12:53 pm

    Cinderella. This book sounds so great! Thanks for the giveaway.

    Reply
  68. Mer says

    October 30, 2013 at 10:50 am

    I’m not familiar with the Donkey Cabbage, so that one sounds interesting! Cinderella’s always been one of my favorites as well, though I’m sure this book has the version with a rather gruesome fate for the stepsisters.

    Reply
  69. Daniel M says

    October 29, 2013 at 8:55 pm

    always liked cinderella

    Reply
  70. Tabathia B says

    October 29, 2013 at 4:46 pm

    hansel and gretel

    Reply
  71. Lacey Burd says

    October 29, 2013 at 3:30 pm

    I am most interested in reading the more unknown fairy tales. Something I haven’t heard of yet!

    Reply
  72. DEBIJOT says

    October 29, 2013 at 3:30 pm

    I would like to check out The Singing Bone.

    Reply
  73. nickie says

    October 29, 2013 at 9:20 am

    The Singing Bone!

    Reply
  74. marian boll says

    October 29, 2013 at 12:28 am

    For my granddaughters, Snow White

    Reply
  75. Cindi says

    October 28, 2013 at 10:15 pm

    The Singing Bone!
    Thanks, Cindi

    Reply
  76. Kerry says

    October 28, 2013 at 9:08 pm

    I’m looking forward to seeing this take on “The Singing Bone”

    Reply
  77. Wehaf says

    October 28, 2013 at 7:32 pm

    I’ve always liked The Donkey Cabbages; I’d love to read a reconstruction of the original!

    Reply
  78. Daniel B. ( says

    October 28, 2013 at 7:04 pm

    Three Snake Leaves sounds interesting…

    Reply
  79. Marti Tabora says

    October 28, 2013 at 5:25 pm

    I would like to check out “The Singing Bone”. I have never heard of it before. Thank you.

    Reply
  80. riTa says

    October 28, 2013 at 5:04 pm

    Either The Three Feathers or The Four Accomplished Brothers

    Reply
  81. anne says

    October 28, 2013 at 2:41 pm

    I’m interested in Cinderella.

    Reply
  82. Kristie says

    October 28, 2013 at 9:00 am

    I’m interested in checking out “Rapunzel”

    Reply

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