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Norges Nasjonalarv
Norwegian Folk Tales
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188 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1868
110 people are currently reading
3539 people want to read
About the author
Peter Christen Asbjørnsen
448 books94 followersPeter Christen Asbjørnsen was a Norwegian writer and scholar. He and Jørgen Engebretsen Moe were collectors of Norwegian folklore. They were so closely united in their lives' work that their folk tale collections are commonly mentioned only as "Asbjørnsen and Moe".
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
December 22, 2009
What the Grimm brothers did for central Europe, these two authors did for the Land of the Midnight Sun. Grotesque, chilling, and far from civilized, these tales are the weird sort of formative influences that only the luckiest people encounter as children. And just as memorable are the book's fantastic illustrations.
There are basically two genres of stories here, as noted in Pat Shaw's introduction: "It seems that there was a difference between the stories told by old men and old women. The old women usually kept to deep, mystic or eerie themes, while the men best related humorous, sometimes bawdy, stories." I think the latter will appeal to anyone who revels in the rustic character of his or her Scandinavian heritage. Personally, though, I most enjoyed the old wives tales, and some of the best of these are:
"The Seventh Father of the House"
"The Three Princesses in the Mountain-in-the-Blue"
"The Golden Bird"
"The Companion"
"Squire Per"
"The Golden Castle that Hung in the Air"
There are basically two genres of stories here, as noted in Pat Shaw's introduction: "It seems that there was a difference between the stories told by old men and old women. The old women usually kept to deep, mystic or eerie themes, while the men best related humorous, sometimes bawdy, stories." I think the latter will appeal to anyone who revels in the rustic character of his or her Scandinavian heritage. Personally, though, I most enjoyed the old wives tales, and some of the best of these are:
"The Seventh Father of the House"
"The Three Princesses in the Mountain-in-the-Blue"
"The Golden Bird"
"The Companion"
"Squire Per"
"The Golden Castle that Hung in the Air"
December 21, 2018
Excellent edition of Norwegian fairy tales by the "Norwegian Brothers Grimm." I used this for a class in college. It has a nice cover, but is not like, the prettiest edition inside, being sort of textbook-like.
September 21, 2009
My edition of this book is yellow and worn.
It's a wonderful book. Totally unedited tales, including one where a man murders his wife. In fact, and this is horrible to say, that tale is rather funny. This collection includes tales that were sources for the better know Hans Christian Andersen versions, such as "The Companion" and "The Twevle Ducks".
One of the better tales is a version of "Puss in Boots" mixed with the French "The White Cat". Puss in the Norwegian tale is a nice female cat. This makes the tale closer to the the older Italian form, but without the rather cycnical ending that tale offers. It also makes me wonder why Puss is most often, at least today, a tom. Most of the women in the collection are princesses in need of rescuing, though some construct tests for their would be lovers.
My favorite tale, as always, is "The Companion", which Andersen redrafted as "The Traveling Companion". The tale transends the standard feel of death that many children have, and says more about pity and piety than most other tales. Though, I do have to wonder about the view of the princess in it, especially towards the end.
All in all a charming collection.
It's a wonderful book. Totally unedited tales, including one where a man murders his wife. In fact, and this is horrible to say, that tale is rather funny. This collection includes tales that were sources for the better know Hans Christian Andersen versions, such as "The Companion" and "The Twevle Ducks".
One of the better tales is a version of "Puss in Boots" mixed with the French "The White Cat". Puss in the Norwegian tale is a nice female cat. This makes the tale closer to the the older Italian form, but without the rather cycnical ending that tale offers. It also makes me wonder why Puss is most often, at least today, a tom. Most of the women in the collection are princesses in need of rescuing, though some construct tests for their would be lovers.
My favorite tale, as always, is "The Companion", which Andersen redrafted as "The Traveling Companion". The tale transends the standard feel of death that many children have, and says more about pity and piety than most other tales. Though, I do have to wonder about the view of the princess in it, especially towards the end.
All in all a charming collection.
August 3, 2017
Some of the stories are rather savage, and most of them are based on repetition (resulting in copy-pasted passages), but it's all part of the charm. Only one story left me puzzled - I couldn't find the moral of the story in the one about a woman who always did everything contrary, and against the flow.
October 21, 2019
وقتی اسم اسکاندیناوی و بخصوص نروژ میاد آدم انتظار داستانهایی بشدت جادویی و با اساطیر خاص و نمادهایی که عجین شده با فرهنگ اون مردمن رو بشنوه بخصوص اینکه هیچ چیز رو که در نظر نگیریم برادران گریم هم نروژی بودن و از دل همین فرهنگ و مردم بیرون اومدن و با داستان هاشون همهی ما بزرگ شدیم اما این کتاب بنظرم خالی از اون جادو و اساطیر و فرهنگ اسکاندیناوی بود که مدنظرم بود، شاید بزرگترین افتخار کتاب رو بشه داستانی که منبع اصلی سیندرلا خونده میشه دونست که تمام داستان هم در ستایش ظاهرپرستی و حماقته. چطور ممکنه آدم به یکی بگه دیو زشت رو بعد با لباس طلایی عاشقش بشه و بعد با خوشبختی ازدواج کنن ؟
من هیچوقت طرفدار داستان های سیندرلا و سفید برفی و زیبای خفته و از پرنسس های بی عرضه و مفعولی که کل عمرشون منتظر نجات پیداکردن بودن خوشم نمیومده ولی بازم حتی اونها در مقابل داستان های این کتاب شاهکارهای هنری حساب میشن، قطعا انتظار ندارم توی داستان های مردمی نروژ شخصیت های عمیق با پردازش خفن باشه ولی دیگه اینکه ۷۰ درصد داستان ها آخرش به نجات پرنسس یا پرنس و ازدواجشون ختم شه فراتر از تحمل منه.
خدارو باید شکر کرد که از این دوره داستان گویی گذشتیم که تمام فکر و ذکر تک تک شخصیتها (حتی یه پیرزن گدا که بزور راه میره) ازدواج کردن و کشتن دیو و دزدیدن داراییشونه، چیزی هم به اسم منطق داستانی وجود نداره توی داستانا در یک سکانس همین پیرزن موردنظر داره از ترس دیدن دیو میلرزه و به پسرش میگه دیو مارو میخوره و در سکانس بعد توی تخت داره با همون دیو نقشه قتل پسرشو میکشه تا بتونن باهم ازدواج کنن :/
یکی از مواردی که توی داستانا بشدت دیده میشد تکرار بود که اتفاقا مادربزرگ من هم وقتی داستان های قدیمی تعریف میکنه دقیقا از همین روش استفاده میکنه، هر روز یک سری اتفاق باهمون نظم و ترتیب اتفاق میفته و حتی دوباره همون دیالوگهارو تکرار میکنن تا راه حل رو کشف کنن و یا به مقصدشون برسن و اینجوری نصف داستان میگذره بدون هیچ خلاقیتی.
واقعا دلم میخواست بش امتیاز بیشتری میدادم ولی واقعا تحمل اکثر داستانهاش برام سخت بود و واقعا خالی از هرچیزی بود که من دلم میخواست و اون ستاره دوم هم فقط بخاطر داستان های طنزش دادم که اتفاقا تنها دختری که واقعا یکاری انجام میده غیر از ازدواج کردن توی همین داستانه.
من هیچوقت طرفدار داستان های سیندرلا و سفید برفی و زیبای خفته و از پرنسس های بی عرضه و مفعولی که کل عمرشون منتظر نجات پیداکردن بودن خوشم نمیومده ولی بازم حتی اونها در مقابل داستان های این کتاب شاهکارهای هنری حساب میشن، قطعا انتظار ندارم توی داستان های مردمی نروژ شخصیت های عمیق با پردازش خفن باشه ولی دیگه اینکه ۷۰ درصد داستان ها آخرش به نجات پرنسس یا پرنس و ازدواجشون ختم شه فراتر از تحمل منه.
خدارو باید شکر کرد که از این دوره داستان گویی گذشتیم که تمام فکر و ذکر تک تک شخصیتها (حتی یه پیرزن گدا که بزور راه میره) ازدواج کردن و کشتن دیو و دزدیدن داراییشونه، چیزی هم به اسم منطق داستانی وجود نداره توی داستانا در یک سکانس همین پیرزن موردنظر داره از ترس دیدن دیو میلرزه و به پسرش میگه دیو مارو میخوره و در سکانس بعد توی تخت داره با همون دیو نقشه قتل پسرشو میکشه تا بتونن باهم ازدواج کنن :/
یکی از مواردی که توی داستانا بشدت دیده میشد تکرار بود که اتفاقا مادربزرگ من هم وقتی داستان های قدیمی تعریف میکنه دقیقا از همین روش استفاده میکنه، هر روز یک سری اتفاق باهمون نظم و ترتیب اتفاق میفته و حتی دوباره همون دیالوگهارو تکرار میکنن تا راه حل رو کشف کنن و یا به مقصدشون برسن و اینجوری نصف داستان میگذره بدون هیچ خلاقیتی.
واقعا دلم میخواست بش امتیاز بیشتری میدادم ولی واقعا تحمل اکثر داستانهاش برام سخت بود و واقعا خالی از هرچیزی بود که من دلم میخواست و اون ستاره دوم هم فقط بخاطر داستان های طنزش دادم که اتفاقا تنها دختری که واقعا یکاری انجام میده غیر از ازدواج کردن توی همین داستانه.
September 6, 2016
I picked up this up at second hand book fair for the bargain price of $2. It was well worth the price and then some.
This is a wonderful little hardback of 35 Norwegian Folk tales that are beautifully illustrated. Some of the stories are similar and there is quite a bit of Christian references through them.
My favourite tale was 'The Ram and the Pig who went into the woods to live by themselves' which has some wonderful lines such as 'with chat and quack one builds neither house nor shack.' Or my other favourite line was 'good advice and skill will help a lame man up a hill' and last one 'for a good neighbour is better than a brother in a far off land'.
What you learn from folk tales is that you do not offer to share your meal the consequences can be dire and that being poor is never a barrier to finding a Princess as a wife.
These are fun and enjoyable.
This is a wonderful little hardback of 35 Norwegian Folk tales that are beautifully illustrated. Some of the stories are similar and there is quite a bit of Christian references through them.
My favourite tale was 'The Ram and the Pig who went into the woods to live by themselves' which has some wonderful lines such as 'with chat and quack one builds neither house nor shack.' Or my other favourite line was 'good advice and skill will help a lame man up a hill' and last one 'for a good neighbour is better than a brother in a far off land'.
What you learn from folk tales is that you do not offer to share your meal the consequences can be dire and that being poor is never a barrier to finding a Princess as a wife.
These are fun and enjoyable.
August 30, 2012
A solid collection of folk tales from a region not often included in popular fairy tales. The language is sometimes a little stilted, but that could be due to the translator's desire to stick to a more literal translation. I like seeing the similarities between these stories and more well known versions from other regions.
The themes and common phrases used in Norwegian folk tales really jump out when you read so many back-to-back. For example, the Ash Lad is a common hero in these stories. Usually the youngest of three, the Ash Lad is the seemingly useless son who pokes around in the ashes and embers. However, he's the one with a pure heart and quick wit who is able to defeat the Trolls and marry the princess in the end.
The themes and common phrases used in Norwegian folk tales really jump out when you read so many back-to-back. For example, the Ash Lad is a common hero in these stories. Usually the youngest of three, the Ash Lad is the seemingly useless son who pokes around in the ashes and embers. However, he's the one with a pure heart and quick wit who is able to defeat the Trolls and marry the princess in the end.
December 13, 2014
Siden jeg ikke vokste opp i Norge har jeg ikke fått historiene til Asbjørnsen & Moe inn med morsmelka, så når jeg fant denne flotte utgaven på salg tenkte jeg at det var på tide å oppdatere meg ordentlig (særlig med tanke på at jeg jobber i barnehage...). Det å lese disse historiene som voksen er nok litt annerledes enn å oppleve å få de fortalt som barn, kan jeg tenke, men det er flotte fortellinger, om enn litt sære. Mange av de samme tingene går naturlig nok igjen, så å lese alle historiene rett etter hverandre kan lett bli litt ensformig, men til gjengeld fikk jeg et godt innblikk i de små forskjellene i hver historie. Kjekt å ha alle samlet i en bok og jeg føler jeg forstår litt mer av norsk barndomslitteratur og kultur =).
October 27, 2020
Dad is 93 and fading. His wife, the third in a series, is gradually passing on his possessions to me and others. Among the latest box was this book which I'd not seen since childhood but which, upon looking at the story titles and illustrations, I now recall Mother having read to me again and again. Indeed, some of the drawings of trolls have been etched deeply in memory.
November 20, 2008
I have read back and forth through this book so many times it is almost ridiculous. A marvelous collection of tales, some epic, some droll, almost all of them entertaining. There are tales here to while away many a winter's evening, as we often did throughout my childhood.
June 8, 2016
Reading it as goodnight stories to my kids proved to be a succes. I enjoyed the stories very much. Some of the stories were quite funny.
February 17, 2018
انقدر شبیه قصهها و افسانههای ایرانی و ترکی بود که نگو و نپرس. انگار فقط اسمها عوض شده بودند.
May 2, 2019
Kromě toho, že jsou Norské pohádky velmi specifické, tak jsou (jako kniha) takovou zvláštní, nevyváženou směskou - jak délkou ("pohádka" na půl stránky vs. pohádka na 10 stránek), tak typem ("klasické" pohádky vs. bajky vs. pastorální ponaučení). Ocenil bych, kdyby v knížce bylo více těch "opravdových" pohádek. A děti taky (čtení o chození na zádušní mše (byť s naznačeným zombie masakrem), či o zkouškách pevnosti víry v Boha není úplně to pravé ořechové).
Nicméně, tam kde opravdu jde o pohádky, tak kniha exceluje. Svět severské imaginace je nespoutaný, drsný a nepředvídatelný. U toho bych se rád zastavil. Tak jako severské detektivky evokují ve čtenářích cosi velmi drsného, krvavého a útočícího na žaludek, tak severské pohádky mají stejný aspekt, často pro děti nijak neupravený.
Jedna princezna je například zbičována vrbovými proutky, dokud se proutky nerozpadnou, jiná dokud se z ní nesedře všechna kůže (zvláštní, že se to děje vždycky princeznám 😈). Sek��ní hlav (trollům), či trhání hlav (princeznám) není nijak výjimečné. Běžné jsou taky spousty nemrtvých (ne vždy jako negativním aspekt).
Co mě taky zaujalo, je (v rámci žánru) velmi explicitní odkazování k sexu. 😈 Samozřejmě, děti před pubertou tam nic z toho nevnímají, ale dospělý má jasno - princezny tráví noc trolly, spí s nimi opakovaně v jedné posteli. (Úspěšné) žádosti o strávení noci s přislíbenou princeznou, často ještě před splněním úkolů, nebo v rámci jejich plnění. Královna ráda dá v lese 300 hubiček pasákovi (aby o tom později lhala svému manželovi), její dcera taktéž dá ráda 200 hubiček, s jedinou podmínkou - nesmí je při tom nikdo vidět. Atd.
Výhrady mám k české verzi knihy. Hodně gramatických a typografických chyb - určitě chyběl korektor. A pak grafická stránka: ilustrace jsou odfláknuté a ošklivé - vypadají, jako by je někdo poslepoval z roztrhaných pijáků. 👎
Ocenil bych novou edici: doplnit "opravdové" pohádky, vyházet kratší mravokárné záležitosti, pořádné ilustrace a samozřejmě, korektury. Pak by to bylo paráda. Ale i tak, pokud je to zatím jediné vydání, stojí to za přečtení.
Nicméně, tam kde opravdu jde o pohádky, tak kniha exceluje. Svět severské imaginace je nespoutaný, drsný a nepředvídatelný. U toho bych se rád zastavil. Tak jako severské detektivky evokují ve čtenářích cosi velmi drsného, krvavého a útočícího na žaludek, tak severské pohádky mají stejný aspekt, často pro děti nijak neupravený.
Jedna princezna je například zbičována vrbovými proutky, dokud se proutky nerozpadnou, jiná dokud se z ní nesedře všechna kůže (zvláštní, že se to děje vždycky princeznám 😈). Sek��ní hlav (trollům), či trhání hlav (princeznám) není nijak výjimečné. Běžné jsou taky spousty nemrtvých (ne vždy jako negativním aspekt).
Co mě taky zaujalo, je (v rámci žánru) velmi explicitní odkazování k sexu. 😈 Samozřejmě, děti před pubertou tam nic z toho nevnímají, ale dospělý má jasno - princezny tráví noc trolly, spí s nimi opakovaně v jedné posteli. (Úspěšné) žádosti o strávení noci s přislíbenou princeznou, často ještě před splněním úkolů, nebo v rámci jejich plnění. Královna ráda dá v lese 300 hubiček pasákovi (aby o tom později lhala svému manželovi), její dcera taktéž dá ráda 200 hubiček, s jedinou podmínkou - nesmí je při tom nikdo vidět. Atd.
Výhrady mám k české verzi knihy. Hodně gramatických a typografických chyb - určitě chyběl korektor. A pak grafická stránka: ilustrace jsou odfláknuté a ošklivé - vypadají, jako by je někdo poslepoval z roztrhaných pijáků. 👎
Ocenil bych novou edici: doplnit "opravdové" pohádky, vyházet kratší mravokárné záležitosti, pořádné ilustrace a samozřejmě, korektury. Pak by to bylo paráda. Ale i tak, pokud je to zatím jediné vydání, stojí to za přečtení.
May 9, 2022
It was really a 3.5 for me because of the inherent misogyny. Also the repetitive motions the protagonists go through to defeat this troll or that hag became redundant beyond even traditional folktales. If there was a troll with one head then I’ll be damned if there wasn’t seven trolls with seven heads by the end.
Other than that I really enjoyed the wide variety of strange stories. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys this type of thing.
Other than that I really enjoyed the wide variety of strange stories. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys this type of thing.
January 17, 2019
True and Untrue, One's Own Children Are Always Prettiest, and The Husband Who Was to Mind the House.
First, an honest lad is given much reward after misfortune befalls him due to his unscrupulous brother. Second, a hunter kills off the progeny of a snipe due to a misunderstanding of beauty. Third, a husband switches roles with his wife for a day, only to find that home-making is harder than it appears.
"True and Untrue" briefly mentions the gouging out of a character's eyes. It is not gory in detail, but that may be a topic that parents do not want to expose their children to.
First, I loved seeing how the righteous brother is able to gain all he could possibly want in life after he remains optimistic and stays true to his values. Second, I liked the moral of the story that beauty is in the eye of the biased beholder. Third, I appreciated seeing the importance of domestic work represented in literature.
First, an honest lad is given much reward after misfortune befalls him due to his unscrupulous brother. Second, a hunter kills off the progeny of a snipe due to a misunderstanding of beauty. Third, a husband switches roles with his wife for a day, only to find that home-making is harder than it appears.
"True and Untrue" briefly mentions the gouging out of a character's eyes. It is not gory in detail, but that may be a topic that parents do not want to expose their children to.
First, I loved seeing how the righteous brother is able to gain all he could possibly want in life after he remains optimistic and stays true to his values. Second, I liked the moral of the story that beauty is in the eye of the biased beholder. Third, I appreciated seeing the importance of domestic work represented in literature.
December 25, 2012
I enjoyed this little collection ver much. I'm very interested in fairy tales and how similar ones may be found all over the world.
Two of the tales in here, I had read as a child... I suspect that you have all read the Town Mouse and the Country Mouse. Another that I knew as 'How the Sea Became Salty' is in here too, as 'The Mill that Grinds at the Bottom of the Sea'. The other tales I hadn't read, although some of them bear the same pattern as some of the Grimm brothers' collection of tales.
They were great fun to read and you can learn a little folklore along the way, mostly regarding trolls.
If you like fairytales and folklore you won't be disappointed. It's just a pity that this isn't the entire Asbjørnsen/Moe collection.
Two of the tales in here, I had read as a child... I suspect that you have all read the Town Mouse and the Country Mouse. Another that I knew as 'How the Sea Became Salty' is in here too, as 'The Mill that Grinds at the Bottom of the Sea'. The other tales I hadn't read, although some of them bear the same pattern as some of the Grimm brothers' collection of tales.
They were great fun to read and you can learn a little folklore along the way, mostly regarding trolls.
If you like fairytales and folklore you won't be disappointed. It's just a pity that this isn't the entire Asbjørnsen/Moe collection.
January 15, 2011
I loved reading about old Norwegian culture. You can picture yourself on the farms and in the woods imagining trolls lurking around and thinking of the rich farmers as kings with beautiful princesses living there.
April 7, 2017
Such a nice collection of Norwegian folktales. Good variety!
March 7, 2022
At the time, the Norwegian literary style was too influenced by Danish norms to be suitable for national folklore, while the various dialects used by Norway’s oral storytellers were too local. Asbjørnsen and Moe solved the problem of style by adopting the Brothers Grimm’s principle of using simple language in place of the various dialects, yet maintaining the national uniqueness of the folktales to an even higher degree than their German precursors had done. Some of the first tales appeared as early as 1837 in Nor and others were published as Norske folkeeventyr in 1841. Enlarged and illustrated collections appeared in 1842, 1843, and 1844. In 1852 all the tales were published with critical notes and a scholarly introduction by Moe.
Accepted in Europe as a major contribution to comparative mythology, Norske folkeeventyr was widely translated. The first English translation in 1859 was followed by many more into the 21st century. In Norway it provided a stylistic model that substantially influenced the development of Bokmål, one of the two linguistic standards of modern Norwegian.
Accepted in Europe as a major contribution to comparative mythology, Norske folkeeventyr was widely translated. The first English translation in 1859 was followed by many more into the 21st century. In Norway it provided a stylistic model that substantially influenced the development of Bokmål, one of the two linguistic standards of modern Norwegian.
October 8, 2025
This evening I read Norwegian Folktales, a compilation of traditional stories collected by Peter Christian Asbjørnsen and Jørgen Moe back in the 1800s. These stories aren’t saddled with morals or hidden meanings, although several include three sons, three daughters, and other trios that must connect to the Christian trinity. Some are a bit racy, a few are gory. I had not heard any of them from my Norwegian parents or grandparents. A few characters were familiar: a billy goat, country mouse and house mouse, and a slew of princesses and trolls. I enjoyed reading stories about the Ash Lad—the poor, underestimated farm boy—who served as both trickster and hero. It was a quick read, but not particularly satisfying as a window into the culture of my ancestors.
Read
June 15, 2022So basically if you're the youngest brother in any of these folktales you win at life.
And if you're a princess you're going to get kidnapped by a troll
It's a proven fact.
And if you're a princess you're going to get kidnapped by a troll
It's a proven fact.
Read
January 5, 2023enjoyed starting my reading year off with something fun and different from my usual! other reviews have used “charming” to describe this book and I’d agree. folktales are strange and so very interesting. really cool to consider the evolution of storytelling and wonder at the significance of elements that are repeated across numerous stories. one of those great “humans are so neat” reminders.
thank you for this one, dearest duru!
thank you for this one, dearest duru!
August 27, 2020
It was okay, but the stories were a bit repetitive.
Here are some of the things that show up in at least 75% of the stories included in this collection:
- Trolls, or Troll-hags (If there's a villain, it's almost always a troll.)
- A princess, or three! (In which case the youngest is always the one the hero marries.)
- Half the kingdom (The hero always wins the princess and half the kingdom. Half, not all. Just half.)
- The Ash Lad, who is usually the youngest of three brothers. (Or just a boy that pokes around in the ashes. I find it hilarious that the people that came up with the Norse myths, with rather warrior-type heroes, ended up having folktales with the laziest person imaginable save the day. Not that that's a problem - it's nice to see someone like me win half the kingdom.)
Anyway, I suggest reading a select few of these, but most of them are repeats. It's one thing to read about the Ash Lad fighting trolls, saving princesses, and then winning half the kingdom and marrying the youngest princess. It's another thing to read about the exact same thing over and over again.
Here are some of the things that show up in at least 75% of the stories included in this collection:
- Trolls, or Troll-hags (If there's a villain, it's almost always a troll.)
- A princess, or three! (In which case the youngest is always the one the hero marries.)
- Half the kingdom (The hero always wins the princess and half the kingdom. Half, not all. Just half.)
- The Ash Lad, who is usually the youngest of three brothers. (Or just a boy that pokes around in the ashes. I find it hilarious that the people that came up with the Norse myths, with rather warrior-type heroes, ended up having folktales with the laziest person imaginable save the day. Not that that's a problem - it's nice to see someone like me win half the kingdom.)
Anyway, I suggest reading a select few of these, but most of them are repeats. It's one thing to read about the Ash Lad fighting trolls, saving princesses, and then winning half the kingdom and marrying the youngest princess. It's another thing to read about the exact same thing over and over again.
January 24, 2018
This little book is a true gem I bought during my trip in Norway past May.
It's full of small stories which reminded me a lot of the Norwegian version of Grimm Brothers fairy tales. The stories aren't long and the book is so small, it makes a very quick read. I guess common themes in most of the stories are trolls, snow, the number 3 and princesses who do things.
Anyway, these were my very favorite stories (that I would tell my potential children (which I'm hopefully never gonna have though) as bed time stories):
White-Bear-King Valemon
The Fox as Shepherd
The Ram and the Pig who went into the Woods to live by Themselves
Squire Per
It's full of small stories which reminded me a lot of the Norwegian version of Grimm Brothers fairy tales. The stories aren't long and the book is so small, it makes a very quick read. I guess common themes in most of the stories are trolls, snow, the number 3 and princesses who do things.
Anyway, these were my very favorite stories (that I would tell my potential children (which I'm hopefully never gonna have though) as bed time stories):
White-Bear-King Valemon
The Fox as Shepherd
The Ram and the Pig who went into the Woods to live by Themselves
Squire Per
September 9, 2018
Peter Asbjornsen and his partner Jorgen Moe saved a great piece of Norway history when they traveled the country in the 19th century and collected the stories that are featured in "Folk And Fairy Tales" such as did the Grimm Brothers of Germany a little earlier.
Here are, once again, stories of kings and princesses, as we see those who are trying to win the hands of princesses and gain kingdoms. But also there are stories that are special to the country and geography of Norway with their trolls, witches, devils and landscapes.
Super collection that makes your imagination take off into another world....
Well worth the investment to read.
Here are, once again, stories of kings and princesses, as we see those who are trying to win the hands of princesses and gain kingdoms. But also there are stories that are special to the country and geography of Norway with their trolls, witches, devils and landscapes.
Super collection that makes your imagination take off into another world....
Well worth the investment to read.
December 10, 2023
Beautiful, entrancing, tongue-in-cheek and just the right amount of chilling. I love this translation; I can just feel the cold fear as a towering troll gets closer and closer to a character hiding in a dark forest…
Read this years ago, and lately stumbled upon the excellent Ash Lad movies from Norway (dir. by Mikkel Brænne Sandemose). If you can’t get enough stories of clever Ash Lad and his encounters with trolls, I highly recommend them (in their original Norwegian of course; the English dub is eh).
Read this years ago, and lately stumbled upon the excellent Ash Lad movies from Norway (dir. by Mikkel Brænne Sandemose). If you can’t get enough stories of clever Ash Lad and his encounters with trolls, I highly recommend them (in their original Norwegian of course; the English dub is eh).
January 3, 2019
I've been reading a story from this collection from time to time and it took me nearly two years to read all of them. It can happen with such collection as one is pulled towards other, more modern reads and other short story collections, knowing the folktales will always be there.
As it's very big, but not extensive, collection of Norwegian folktales one can find that quite a few of them fall into the same pattern of the storytelling and only details are different. That being said there are gems in here I marked for the future if I want a good fairytale.
As it's very big, but not extensive, collection of Norwegian folktales one can find that quite a few of them fall into the same pattern of the storytelling and only details are different. That being said there are gems in here I marked for the future if I want a good fairytale.
December 11, 2019
This precious book was gifted to me and as such is treasured. Beautifully bound with black cloth binding and silver lettering on the spine combined with cover image from the tale 'White Bear King Valemon' and classic end papers makes it a visual pleasure to behold. Each Nordic tale evokes a bygone era that leaves the reader with something to ponder or amuse. A delightful addition to my library.
March 31, 2011
Scandinavian folklore is markedly different in tone from the Franco-Germanic tradition that has been adopted by the English-speaking world; its tales of many-headed trolls finds more in common with the Russian stories of many-headed dragons than either tradition has with those of the countries in between.
February 5, 2012
The similarites and overlaps in the fairy tale traditions of different cultures are so interesting. My son, who had previously read the Grimm and Hans Christian Anderson fairy tales, said, "Some are kind of the same, but the Norwegian fairy tales have trolls, and the youngest brother always wins, and he's always an Ash Lad."
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