The Diaries of Hans Christian Andersen

by Hans Christian Andersen

English, Danish (translation)

Genres: Nonfiction

502 pages, Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 1971

About the author

Hans Christian Andersen (often referred to in Scandinavia as H.C. Andersen) was a Danish author and poet. Although a prolific writer of plays, travelogues, novels, and poems, Andersen is best remembered for his fairy tales. Andersen's popularity is not limited to children; his stories — called eventyr, or "fairy-tales" — express themes that transcend age and nationality.

Andersen's fairy tales, which have been translated into more than 125 languages, have become culturally embedded in the West's collective consciousness, readily accessible to children, but presenting lessons of virtue and resilience in the face of adversity for mature readers as well. Some of his most famous fairy tales include "The Little Mermaid", "The Ugly Duckling", "The Nightingale", "The Emperor's New Clothes" and many more. His stories have inspired plays, ballets, and both live-action and animated films.

Reviews

[Therese · Rating 3 out of 5]

Translation seems fine (not that I know more than a few words of Danish), but it's just a bit frustrating because the translator picks and chooses which dates to cover, and you don't know if you're missing good stuff or can just trust her that the missing parts are boring. Interestingly, she includes some stuff that strikes me as TMI (e.g. "loose stools today ...") I really wish there were a complete English translation of the diaries, but haven't been able to find one so far.

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent bit of real history you won't read in other books.Beloved Danish Storyteller and writer of The Little Mermaid,The Snow Queen,Thumbelina,The Ugly Duckling..many more,Hans Christian Andersen,tells of his later school days,his many travels abroad and life at home.A painfully lonely and insecure Man,he never the less was summond by kings and queens to read his stories and was a friend of quite a few celebrities of his day..He offers interesting information of the likes of Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm,Victor Hugo,Charles Dickens,Franz Liszt,Robert and Elizabeth Browning,Jenny Lind and more.Culled from Andersen's own diaries between 1825-75