Elf Hill: Tales from Hans Christian Andersen

by Naomi Lewis, Emma Chichester Clark (Illustrator), Hans Christian Andersen

Elf Hill is a collection of new versions of Hans Christian Andersen stories, written for children with all the warmth, wit and character of the 19th-century originals. This anthology presents rewritten versions of Hans Christian Anderson stories for very young children.

72 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1845

About the author

British poet, essayist, literary critic, anthologist and reteller of stories for children. She is particularly noted for her translations of the Danish children’s author, Hans Christian Andersen, as well as for her critical reviews and essays. She was a recipient of the Eleanor Farjeon Award.

Reviews

[K. Anna Kraft · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have arranged my takeaway thoughts into a haiku:

“Accomplished women
Are wasted on men brought up
Coddled by their wealth.”

[Vaishali · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unclear plot, though this sentence describes one scene beautifully :

"He spoke of the bright winter nights, when the sledge bells are ringing, and the boys run with burning torches across the smooth ice, which is so transparent that they can see the fishes dart forward beneath their feet."

Two fairytale factoids I didn't know:
1. "Will–o'–the–wisp" (n.) a pale flame or phosphorescence seen over marshy ground at night. It is believed to be due to the spontaneous combustion of methane or other hydrocarbons originating from decomposing organic matter. Also called "friar's lantern", "ignis fatuus"
2. Goblins are left-legged

[Joseph Knecht · Rating 2 out of 5]

The one who tells stories is the best hero.

[Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A troll king comes from Norway to the Elfin hill to find wives for his sons. One of the elf king's daughters is a great storyteller and she goes to Norway to marry the troll prince.

[Lia]

Traditional Lit #9

The Elfin Hill was about a gathering of every underworld creature in a place called the Elfin Hill. The Elf King had 7 daughters that had to impress the old goblin. The 7th daughter was the only one who was able to impress him by telling stories and he was impressed so much that he took her back to Norway and married her.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

calm app

[Abigail]

Audiobook on the Calm App, read by Alan Sklar.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Elfin Hill is not like the other Andersen's tales, so if you don't usually like Andersen, give it a try. It's a small tale with no plot or hero or villain, but it's full of amazing surreal characters, very rich descriptions and unexpected soft humor.