Grimms Fairy Tales

by Jiří Trnka

Text in Russian. Color illustrations.

Genres: Classics

207 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1961

About the author

Jiří Trnka was a Czech puppet-maker, illustrator, motion-picture animator and film director. In addition to his extensive career as an illustrator, especially of children's books, he is best known for his work in animation with puppets, which began in 1946. Most of his movies were intended for adults and many were adaptations of literary works. Because of his influence in animation, he was called "the Walt Disney of Eastern Europe", despite the great differences between their works. He received the international Hans Christian Andersen Medal for illustrators in 1968, recognizing his career contribution to children's literature.

Reviews

[bubbleswrapherbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is not for children.

Most of the tales are horrifyingly grim and grotesque. The stories feature elements of several themes, including brutality, torture, and cannibalism. For instance, the Queen repeatedly attempted to kill Snowdrop and consumed the heart and lungs under the mistaken belief that they were hers. In addition, Hansel and Gretel's parents lacked compassion when they abandoned their children in the middle of the forest. Moreover, in order for their feet to fit in the fancy pair of shoes, Ashenputtel's stepmother forced her stepsisters to have their heels cut.

Violent. Thrilling.
I did love and enjoy reading these tales.

It's incredible that I was able to read them in their original form. Knowing how well people have written or told stories in the past and how they have used those stories to teach their children morality and founding principles is fantastic. For instance, in Mother Holle's story, the diligent and respectful child receives blessings, while the lazy and rude one receives punishment. Children are also reminded to constantly listen to their parents in The Wolf and the Seven Kids. Last but not least, the tale Cat and Mouse in Partnership teaches us to use caution when choose who to call friends.

The supporting illustrations added to my enjoyment as well. They are gorgeous, awesome, and creative in my opinion. The work is also well-written. The book is of excellent quality. The font and text size are visually appealing.

I highly recommend this version. You must buy it!

[Sierra · Rating 3 out of 5]

The little stories were cute and nice to read over a prolonged period. I’d give it a 3 and a half if I could.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

JUST FINISHED READING THE AUDIBLE BOOK "GRIMM'S FAIRY TALES" by THE BROTHERS GRIM AND NARRATED BY BRIAN KELLY. THESE CLASSIC FAIRY TALES ARE ACTUALLY IN MY LIST OF "THE 100 BOOKS EYERYONE SHOULD READ BEFORE THEY DIE.” ACTUALLY THEY ARE ENJOYABLE AND REALLY SEEM TO BE MORE FOR ADULTS ANYWAY. IF YOU GO BACK AND READ THESE STORIES, YOU QUICKLY REALIZE THAT THEY WERE VERY SCARY, MORE LIKE HORROR STORIES WITH VIOLENCE IN ALL OF THEM AND HARDLY ANY OF THEM "LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER™. THINK OF HANSEL AND GRETEL WHOSE PARENTS DID NOT WANT THEM ANYMORE SO THEY TOOK THEM INTO THE WOODS TO ABANDON THEM. THEN THE WITCH IS COOKING THEM SO SHE CAN EAT THEM. CINDERELLA WAS A VICTIM OF CHILD ABUSE, SLEEPING BEAUTY WAS ALSO, AND ON, AND ON. IT WAS KIND OF WARPED THAT THESE WERE THE STORIES WE READ TO CHILDREN TO SOOTHE THEM TO SLEEP. MANY STEPHEN KING STORIES ARE NOT AS TERRIFYING AS THESE FAIRY TALES.

[Victoria - Tori Simms (thevictorianstudy) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have always enjoyed reading fairytales, especially in their original and translated forms. I read this book as a reference for a novel I'm writing based on one of the fairytales included in this volume. These were put together very well and translated wonderfully. It's an excellent volume of stories!