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The Six Swans
A king's daughter undertakes the difficult task of six years of silence to rescue her six brothers from the enchantment imposed on them by their evil stepmother, in a favorite fairy tale that celebrates family bonds and sisterly devotion.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1838
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
December 5, 2016
Otro relato genial de mis nuevos cuentistas favoritos.
Moraleja: La decisión de realizar una tarea, y la perseverancia para llevarla acabo, a pesar de las adversidades, conducen al éxito.
Moraleja: La decisión de realizar una tarea, y la perseverancia para llevarla acabo, a pesar de las adversidades, conducen al éxito.
January 23, 2023
✩ 3.5 stars
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[read for my independent studies of folklore & mythology]
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[read for my independent studies of folklore & mythology]
April 25, 2025
This rating is for the edition is translated by Anthea Bell and illustrated by Dorothée Duntze.
April 2, 2022
In order to know about the fairytale behind 'Six Crimson Cranes' , I have read this.
A King got lost in the woods and unfortunately he stumbled upon a witch who was willing to show him the way only if he marries her daughter. After he agreed, the poor king's misfortunes followed one after another. The King was worried that the new queen, if she will do something to his seven sons and one daughter , so he hid them in a castle deep inside in the forest. However, the wicked stepmother found out and she managed to get rid of the six boys. She spells an enchantment and turned them into six swans but she was not aware of the daughter. The poor girl was determined to save them. The price she had to pay was to keep silent for the next six long years and sew them six shirts made from the asters and then they will be free.
My first fairytale read from the Grimm Brothers.
Doesn't it sound like The Snow-white.. No, maybe I felt so🥴.
A King got lost in the woods and unfortunately he stumbled upon a witch who was willing to show him the way only if he marries her daughter. After he agreed, the poor king's misfortunes followed one after another. The King was worried that the new queen, if she will do something to his seven sons and one daughter , so he hid them in a castle deep inside in the forest. However, the wicked stepmother found out and she managed to get rid of the six boys. She spells an enchantment and turned them into six swans but she was not aware of the daughter. The poor girl was determined to save them. The price she had to pay was to keep silent for the next six long years and sew them six shirts made from the asters and then they will be free.
My first fairytale read from the Grimm Brothers.
Doesn't it sound like The Snow-white.. No, maybe I felt so🥴.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 23, 2018
Review for "The Six Swans" by Jacob Grimm:
It's one of the most popular fairy tales written by the Brothers Grimm. The story follows six princes who have been turned to swans by their stepmother and their sister's struggle to release them from the curse.
Brother-sister relationship, parent-child relationship, risk-taking, sacrifice, determination, love, bravery, faith and magic are the things which the readers will find on every page they read. The swan is the symbol of grace, innocence, dreaming, love, unity, transformation and beauty. It is also present in Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake", Hans Christian Anderson's "The Ugly Duckling" etc.
I recommend this fairy tale to readers 6+.
It's one of the most popular fairy tales written by the Brothers Grimm. The story follows six princes who have been turned to swans by their stepmother and their sister's struggle to release them from the curse.
Brother-sister relationship, parent-child relationship, risk-taking, sacrifice, determination, love, bravery, faith and magic are the things which the readers will find on every page they read. The swan is the symbol of grace, innocence, dreaming, love, unity, transformation and beauty. It is also present in Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake", Hans Christian Anderson's "The Ugly Duckling" etc.
I recommend this fairy tale to readers 6+.
January 8, 2025
Had to read this for short fiction.. eh
October 22, 2013
The Six Swans by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, illustrated by Dorothee Duntze, translated by Anthea Bell, published 1998.
Nonfiction, folktale.
Picture book.
Grades K-3.
Found via Publishers Weekly, reviewer not identified.
This version of the Brothers Grimms' tale "The Six Swans" stays close to the original source, retelling this story in all of its particulars. This story follows a family where six brothers are turned into swans and the youngest child, a girl, has to make them six shirts of starflowers within six years without talking or laughing. The translation here sticks close to the source while still being accessible to children, and the illustrations highlight themes of the narrative while harkening back to European paintings. The reviewer also finds this book successful, stating that "Duntze succeeds in depicting the darkness of human experience without shielding children from strong emotion." Readers should be warned of some dark themes, including suspected cannibalism, but that should be expected with faithful versions of traditional fairy tales.
Nonfiction, folktale.
Picture book.
Grades K-3.
Found via Publishers Weekly, reviewer not identified.
This version of the Brothers Grimms' tale "The Six Swans" stays close to the original source, retelling this story in all of its particulars. This story follows a family where six brothers are turned into swans and the youngest child, a girl, has to make them six shirts of starflowers within six years without talking or laughing. The translation here sticks close to the source while still being accessible to children, and the illustrations highlight themes of the narrative while harkening back to European paintings. The reviewer also finds this book successful, stating that "Duntze succeeds in depicting the darkness of human experience without shielding children from strong emotion." Readers should be warned of some dark themes, including suspected cannibalism, but that should be expected with faithful versions of traditional fairy tales.
September 7, 2023
General review of the Grimm story:
This one has a lot of similarities to Twelve Brothers, and I liked the former a lot more although Six Swans does have its own quirks.
There's three "evil" women in this story: the witch in the woods who makes the king marry her daughter, the daughter who's now an evil stepmom that knows witchcraft, and the mother-in-law at the end. The hero of the tale is a girl who saves her brothers that were turned into swans. The brothers save their sister who was about to be burned at the stake. The girl can't talk for six years in order to save her brothers; it's not an uncommon fairy tale story element. I am not sure where the origin is and why it's needed for a curse to be undone. It's unexplainable magic.
A couple reasons this story loses points for me is that the stepmom and the father leave the story. That's typical of fairy tales but we're left to think the King is married to a wicked woman and he never reunites with his kids. Speaking of kids, the girl, who is now a silent Queen, has her kids taken away by her mother-in-law, because the latter is trying to frame the Queen. These kids are never outright said to be returned in the version I read.
A lot of empty threads at the end ruin the kind of closure I want, but that's sometimes the nature of Grimm's fairy tales.
This one has a lot of similarities to Twelve Brothers, and I liked the former a lot more although Six Swans does have its own quirks.
There's three "evil" women in this story: the witch in the woods who makes the king marry her daughter, the daughter who's now an evil stepmom that knows witchcraft, and the mother-in-law at the end. The hero of the tale is a girl who saves her brothers that were turned into swans. The brothers save their sister who was about to be burned at the stake. The girl can't talk for six years in order to save her brothers; it's not an uncommon fairy tale story element. I am not sure where the origin is and why it's needed for a curse to be undone. It's unexplainable magic.
A couple reasons this story loses points for me is that the stepmom and the father leave the story. That's typical of fairy tales but we're left to think the King is married to a wicked woman and he never reunites with his kids. Speaking of kids, the girl, who is now a silent Queen, has her kids taken away by her mother-in-law, because the latter is trying to frame the Queen. These kids are never outright said to be returned in the version I read.
A lot of empty threads at the end ruin the kind of closure I want, but that's sometimes the nature of Grimm's fairy tales.
January 5, 2025
when reading, fairly local, fairy tales i almost always get a peculiar feeling, as if i am touching something ancient and highkey sus, a magical object, a portal into somewhere that goes deeper and deeper underground, into the mist, into dreamland, where metanarratives entwine and overlap, where eternal cookie cutters stand on a shelf, to be reached for and put into arrangements like tarot cards - encrypted, intuitive messages about how this world works:
the king. the hunt. the impostor. three and seven. the evil jealous older woman. the curse. and always, the mandatory sacrifice.
on a less serious note, the white thread gps system was impressive, and even moreso, the fair maiden's ability to give birth, (of course)three times, i assume without making a sound since she was forbidden to speak or laugh. or did the curse lifting activity ban exclude screaming? i need clarification on this.
the king. the hunt. the impostor. three and seven. the evil jealous older woman. the curse. and always, the mandatory sacrifice.
on a less serious note, the white thread gps system was impressive, and even moreso, the fair maiden's ability to give birth, (of course)three times, i assume without making a sound since she was forbidden to speak or laugh. or did the curse lifting activity ban exclude screaming? i need clarification on this.
March 16, 2024
Jacob Grimm, alongside his brother Wilhelm, is renowned for compiling "Grimm's Fairy Tales," a collection of German folktales. This book is a captivating journey into the heart of folklore, presenting a mixture of enchanting and sometimes dark stories that have fascinated readers for generations. Grimm's work is not just a mere collection of tales; it's a profound exploration of the human condition, morals, and the cultural heritage of Germany. The stories range from the well-loved "Cinderella" and "Snow White" to the less known but equally intriguing tales. Each story is a masterpiece of fantasy, imbued with timeless themes and moral lessons, making this book a valuable treasure for both young and adult readers. Jacob Grimm's contribution through this compilation has left an indelible mark on literature and continues to inspire the imagination of readers worldwide.
February 12, 2019
As time goes on reading Jacob Grimm, you can begin to see a set pattern to his works, of which this one is true. Generally there are 6,7 or 12 brothers born in succession. The last child born is always a girl. The brothers are revealed in time and the sister/ daughter hunts for them. There appears to be a lot of ‘evil step mothers’, which is true in this book who casts spells.
As time goes on, the evil step mother tries to convince the king that his new wife is evil and corrupt. The king will stand by his wife until seemingly too late. But, fear not happy reader, All is not lost.
As time goes on, the evil step mother tries to convince the king that his new wife is evil and corrupt. The king will stand by his wife until seemingly too late. But, fear not happy reader, All is not lost.
March 11, 2024
FULL REVIEW ON MY WEBSITE
https://thebookcornerchronicles.com/2...
The original tale is much better but also darker then the version kids see.
It is different but not that different from what you might remember from first hearing this tale as a kid.
The plot here are very good but also dark which is the mix which I personally like a lot.
The writing style here was very old and you could feel the vibe of old the Europe which was amazing for me.
https://thebookcornerchronicles.com/2...
The original tale is much better but also darker then the version kids see.
It is different but not that different from what you might remember from first hearing this tale as a kid.
The plot here are very good but also dark which is the mix which I personally like a lot.
The writing style here was very old and you could feel the vibe of old the Europe which was amazing for me.
March 26, 2025
I remember reading a story similar to this this when I was younger. A lost king makes a bargain with a witch to marry her daughter, a beautiful but sinister woman. The king tries to protect his seven children — six sons and a daughter — from his previous marriage but his second wife finds the castle they are hidden in and change the sons into swans. She does not know about the daughter, who is bound and determined to break the enchantment, even at the risk to her own life.
June 19, 2019
Dull.
Its a little entertaining but it is much the same of other Grimm Tales. Figures.
I wished that this could have been a more entertaining read.
Instead...it was a snore.
I have the complete collection of Grimm Fairy Tales and promise to review each one no matter how dull. Some are classics and some you never heard of. This is one that should stay unknown.
Its a little entertaining but it is much the same of other Grimm Tales. Figures.
I wished that this could have been a more entertaining read.
Instead...it was a snore.
I have the complete collection of Grimm Fairy Tales and promise to review each one no matter how dull. Some are classics and some you never heard of. This is one that should stay unknown.
January 28, 2022
Reading this felt so nostalgic......
I grew up listening to Grimm's and Andersen's fairy tales from my mom and watching adaptations, never knowing they were classic literature. Now that I'm reading them little by little, some of them are really nice.
"The Six Swans" was a sweet story, a happy one, and that's all I have to say about it
I grew up listening to Grimm's and Andersen's fairy tales from my mom and watching adaptations, never knowing they were classic literature. Now that I'm reading them little by little, some of them are really nice.
"The Six Swans" was a sweet story, a happy one, and that's all I have to say about it
November 23, 2022
One of those Grimm fairy tales that make you wonder if kids should still be the targeted audience for their reading, because of how they've aged. But still kind of fascinating to check out imo.
Also the source material for the WONDERFUL Daughter of The Forest by Marilier, which I would recommend to fantasy readers in need of something with good characterization in the vein of Hobb or GRRM.
Also the source material for the WONDERFUL Daughter of The Forest by Marilier, which I would recommend to fantasy readers in need of something with good characterization in the vein of Hobb or GRRM.
February 26, 2018
The mother-in-law returns the babies she stole, and she is the one who's burned at the stake as punishment.A good end
February 17, 2021
Read as a character within the game The Longing, who is meant to pass their time reading.
January 31, 2024
Has a few subplots which are left resolved, but still a classic tale with all the medieval fairytale ingredients : a beautiful princess, a king (2 of them!), a witch, and an evil step-mother.
September 8, 2024
An interesting tale with unique illustrations. Some are so beautiful.
Read
February 2, 2026Read before diving into Juliet Marillier's Daughter of the Forest.
No rating, but I do like this particular fairy tale.
No rating, but I do like this particular fairy tale.
March 27, 2023
As far as fairy tales go this one is really cool. It has an evil step mother, an evil mother in law and fake cannibalism. The perfect fairy tale.
August 6, 2013
It was not Six, but eleven swans. It is possibly the best of all his fairy tales. A beautiful princess and her eleven brothers get a stepmother after their mother dies. The stepmother is very evil, and ousts the children away.
The daughter goes to a wood cutter on the forest and the brothers are turned into wild swans far far away. One day the swans arrives to visit their baby sister. They convince her that they can take her to their land far away if she climbs onto their backs and fly with them.
The way to the promised land is over a vast ocean and as they turn into men as soon as the sun goes down they have to reach land before this happens. At the last sun ray disappears in the horizon the eleven swans touch down on to a tiny island. Because they have been carrying their baby sister the flight took longer than usual and youngest brother does not quite get on land so his one arm is now forever a swan wing.
This is just the start of a long and incredible story on what the brothers and sister have to go through.
It is a beautiful tale of love and the power of good over evil.
A must read and so much better than the more well known translations..
The daughter goes to a wood cutter on the forest and the brothers are turned into wild swans far far away. One day the swans arrives to visit their baby sister. They convince her that they can take her to their land far away if she climbs onto their backs and fly with them.
The way to the promised land is over a vast ocean and as they turn into men as soon as the sun goes down they have to reach land before this happens. At the last sun ray disappears in the horizon the eleven swans touch down on to a tiny island. Because they have been carrying their baby sister the flight took longer than usual and youngest brother does not quite get on land so his one arm is now forever a swan wing.
This is just the start of a long and incredible story on what the brothers and sister have to go through.
It is a beautiful tale of love and the power of good over evil.
A must read and so much better than the more well known translations..
June 13, 2016
Wow. Never thought I would have criticism for a fairy tale...on the up side, it was sweet to see what the sister was willing to endure for her brothers. (Not speaking or laughing for SIX years?! While tailoring shirts out of flowers....sheesh!) That is all very moving, but then THREE of her children are taken away while she's performing these tasks and she still doesn't break her vow of silence in hopes of saving/finding them! And there is no resolution at the end when she finally can speak. It says, "she and the King live happily ever after with their six brothers"....aw, sweet, but WHAT ABOUT THEIR MISSING CHILDREN??!!! I'm curious to read more the the Grimm's fairy tales to see if any others are more, um, uplifting? Grimm is an understatement....
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 6, 2015
This is probably my favorite fairy tale because it's the girl who was the hero and not just a girl who was put under a spell and had to be saved by a prince. The princess is determined to set her six brothers free from a curse that turned the brothers into swans. This story that the love of family is strong.
August 11, 2013
Esta historia me gustaba mucho de pequeña y aún la recuerdo. Bastante buena. :)
August 25, 2014
This is one of my favourite fairytales however honestly I prefer Hans Christian Andersen version better but that is just a personal opinion.
April 8, 2016
Las suegras como siempre arruinando la vida de sus yernas.
Gracias a Dios que esta historia tuvo un final feliz.
Gracias a Dios que esta historia tuvo un final feliz.
June 3, 2021
3 stars
December 4, 2018
Interesting to read the original story behind Daughter of the Forest which I read earlier this year.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews