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The Queen, the Princes and the Mermaid: Hans Christian Andersen’s Most Enchanting Tales
A collection of Andersen's most magical fairytales
A girl journeys across unknown lands to rescue her friend from the clutches of The Snow Queen, who has imprisoned his heart in ice. A sister struggles to break the spell that has turned her ten princely brothers into swans. A mermaid decides to leave her underwater world behind for love.
These renowned fairy tales, brimming with imaginative richness, are some of the most magical and inspiring ever written.
Contains: 'The Snow Queen', 'The Wild Swans', 'The Nightingale', 'The Little Mermaid', 'The True-Hearted Tin Soldier'
A girl journeys across unknown lands to rescue her friend from the clutches of The Snow Queen, who has imprisoned his heart in ice. A sister struggles to break the spell that has turned her ten princely brothers into swans. A mermaid decides to leave her underwater world behind for love.
These renowned fairy tales, brimming with imaginative richness, are some of the most magical and inspiring ever written.
Contains: 'The Snow Queen', 'The Wild Swans', 'The Nightingale', 'The Little Mermaid', 'The True-Hearted Tin Soldier'
224 pages, Hardcover
Published August 31, 2021
1 person is currently reading
11 people want to read
About the author
Hans Christian Andersen
7,806 books3,541 followersHans 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
July 23, 2024
There were five stories here -
1. The True-Hearted Tin Soldier
2. The Wild Swans
3. The Nightingale
4. The Snow Queen
5. The Little Mermaid
My ranking is based on the list above. Not that I didn't like the least, but the top stories were just more heartwarming.
It feels good to be able to read the original fairy tales. I'm not sure if HCA really meant this to be as children's stories, because they didn't seem to be that light of a reading. Maybe it's catered towards the bigger children. Nevertheless, it was a delight to read.
Nakakaamaze ang mga translators. I'm sure mas maganda basahin ung original Dutch version, but I think they did a good job of translating and retelling the stories to other readers. Respect.
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And so the princess decided to get married. But she wanted a husband who could answer when she spoke to him - not just someone who stood there and looked respectable, for that would be deadly dull.
- The Snow Queen
"The waves just keep rolling, they never grow tired - and then the hard parts all become smooth. I want to be that tireless!" she cried.
- The Wild Swans
And each time it seemed as if she would cry. But a mermaid has no tears, and so she suffers all the more.
- The Little Mermaid
1. The True-Hearted Tin Soldier
2. The Wild Swans
3. The Nightingale
4. The Snow Queen
5. The Little Mermaid
My ranking is based on the list above. Not that I didn't like the least, but the top stories were just more heartwarming.
It feels good to be able to read the original fairy tales. I'm not sure if HCA really meant this to be as children's stories, because they didn't seem to be that light of a reading. Maybe it's catered towards the bigger children. Nevertheless, it was a delight to read.
Nakakaamaze ang mga translators. I'm sure mas maganda basahin ung original Dutch version, but I think they did a good job of translating and retelling the stories to other readers. Respect.
---
And so the princess decided to get married. But she wanted a husband who could answer when she spoke to him - not just someone who stood there and looked respectable, for that would be deadly dull.
- The Snow Queen
"The waves just keep rolling, they never grow tired - and then the hard parts all become smooth. I want to be that tireless!" she cried.
- The Wild Swans
And each time it seemed as if she would cry. But a mermaid has no tears, and so she suffers all the more.
- The Little Mermaid
September 7, 2021
Includes five classic Hans Christian Andersen fairy tales: The Snow Queen, The Wild Swans, The Nightingale, The Little Mermaid, and The True-Hearted Tin Solder. These aren't new or updated in any way, just a beautiful little collection of some of Andersen's most famous stories, with lovely line drawn illustrations.
I'm not sure if I've ever actually read the entire original story of The Snow Queen. It's so odd! But then, a lot of these old fairy tales are pretty odd... The Wild Swans is one of my favorite tales, and it was lovely to read it again. I remember really liking The Nightingale as a child, but reading it as an adult there are definitely some problematic aspects. The Little Mermaid has long been a favorite, and it was really great to read it again and see all the fun bits Disney took to make their movie! I forgot all about the bit at the end, beyond it ending in a rather bittersweet way, though. And I certainly don't remember The True-Hearted Tin Soldier being so sad!
A digital ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via Edelweiss+ for review. All opinions are unbiased and my own.
Like this review?
Check out more of my reviews on my blog, Elley the Book Otter
I'm not sure if I've ever actually read the entire original story of The Snow Queen. It's so odd! But then, a lot of these old fairy tales are pretty odd... The Wild Swans is one of my favorite tales, and it was lovely to read it again. I remember really liking The Nightingale as a child, but reading it as an adult there are definitely some problematic aspects. The Little Mermaid has long been a favorite, and it was really great to read it again and see all the fun bits Disney took to make their movie! I forgot all about the bit at the end, beyond it ending in a rather bittersweet way, though. And I certainly don't remember The True-Hearted Tin Soldier being so sad!
A digital ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via Edelweiss+ for review. All opinions are unbiased and my own.
Like this review?
Check out more of my reviews on my blog, Elley the Book Otter
May 20, 2023
Went to Solvang Ca. Visited the Hans Christian Andersen museum there and I bought this gem. The stories are categorized as children’s stories but as an adult who loves the horror, it was entertaining and sad. Some had sad endings. Some had happy. Now I know the real story of The Little Mermaid (her tongue was cut out!) the stories that stuck with me are The True Hearted Tin Soldier (toys come to life, I wonder if they would make that a movie) and The Nightingale.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews