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Het sleutelkruid
In order to keep the old king's heart beating until the doctor returns with a special potion, various animals take turns in telling stories that are so interesting that the king longs to hear more.
In de koperen burcht woont koning Mansolein, koning der dieren. Hij is bijna duizend jaar oud en zijn leven loopt ten einde, tenzij de wonderdokter tijdig terugkomt met het sleutelkruid, om het hart van de koning, dat bijna stilstaat, weer op te winden.
De wonderdokter moet ver reizen om het sleutelkruid te vinden. Onderweg komt hij allerlei dieren tegen, en ook een dwerg en een draak.
Die stuurt hij naar de koperen burcht om de koning hun verhaal te vertellen. Want zolang de dokter wegblijft moet het hart van de koning 1x per dag flink kloppen, en dat kan als hij een spannend verhaal te horen krijgt. Daarom komt er elke avond een dier naar de burcht, om de koning het mooiste verhaal te vertellen dat zij kennen.
In de koperen burcht woont koning Mansolein, koning der dieren. Hij is bijna duizend jaar oud en zijn leven loopt ten einde, tenzij de wonderdokter tijdig terugkomt met het sleutelkruid, om het hart van de koning, dat bijna stilstaat, weer op te winden.
De wonderdokter moet ver reizen om het sleutelkruid te vinden. Onderweg komt hij allerlei dieren tegen, en ook een dwerg en een draak.
Die stuurt hij naar de koperen burcht om de koning hun verhaal te vertellen. Want zolang de dokter wegblijft moet het hart van de koning 1x per dag flink kloppen, en dat kan als hij een spannend verhaal te horen krijgt. Daarom komt er elke avond een dier naar de burcht, om de koning het mooiste verhaal te vertellen dat zij kennen.
175 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1964
26 people are currently reading
680 people want to read
About the author
Paul Biegel
119 books37 followersPaul Biegel was born in Bussum in 1925. His father, Hermann Biegel, was of German descent, and owned a building materials shop. With his wife Madeleine Povel-Guillot he had nine children, six girls and three boys, of which Paul was the youngest. He wasn't a prolific reader as a child, preferring to play outside. His favourite books where the fairy tales of the brothers Grimm and the works of Jules Verne. He studied in Bussum (primary school) and Amsterdam, graduating in 1945.
His first story, De ontevreden kabouter ("The unhappy gnome"), written when he was 14 years old, was printed in the newspaper De Tijd. He wanted to become a pianist, but decided that he didn't have enough talent. He went to the United States for a year after World War II, where he worked for The Knickerbocker Weekly. After his return, he worked as an editor for Dutch magazines like the Avrobode. He commenced Law Studies, but stopped these in 1953. He wrote several newspaper comics, the most important of which was Minter and Hinter, which appeared in Het Vrije Volk for ten stories and 579 episodes. In 1959, he started working in the comic studio of Marten Toonder as a comics writer for the Kappie series.
He only published his first book, De gouden gitaar, in 1962. He became one of the most important Dutch writers for children in 1965, when he received the Gouden Griffel for Het sleutelkruid. He has written over 50 books, mostly published by Holland, and many of his books have been translated in English, French, German, Danish, Swedish, Welsh, South African, Japanese, Turkish, Greek, and Spanish. His own favourites were De tuinen van Dorr and De soldatenmaker. Other authors he appreciated included J. R. R. Tolkien, J. K. Rowling, and Hans Christian Andersen.
Paul Biegel lived in Amsterdam. He married Marijke Sträter in 1960, with whom he had a daughter, Leonie, in 1963, and in 1964 a son, Arthur, who committed suicide when he was 28. His marriage ultimately failed, and only at a later age did he publicly admit to being homosexual. He died in 2006. In 2007, publishers Holland (publisher) and Lemniscaat started reissuing twenty of his best works in the Biegelbibliotheek.
His first story, De ontevreden kabouter ("The unhappy gnome"), written when he was 14 years old, was printed in the newspaper De Tijd. He wanted to become a pianist, but decided that he didn't have enough talent. He went to the United States for a year after World War II, where he worked for The Knickerbocker Weekly. After his return, he worked as an editor for Dutch magazines like the Avrobode. He commenced Law Studies, but stopped these in 1953. He wrote several newspaper comics, the most important of which was Minter and Hinter, which appeared in Het Vrije Volk for ten stories and 579 episodes. In 1959, he started working in the comic studio of Marten Toonder as a comics writer for the Kappie series.
He only published his first book, De gouden gitaar, in 1962. He became one of the most important Dutch writers for children in 1965, when he received the Gouden Griffel for Het sleutelkruid. He has written over 50 books, mostly published by Holland, and many of his books have been translated in English, French, German, Danish, Swedish, Welsh, South African, Japanese, Turkish, Greek, and Spanish. His own favourites were De tuinen van Dorr and De soldatenmaker. Other authors he appreciated included J. R. R. Tolkien, J. K. Rowling, and Hans Christian Andersen.
Paul Biegel lived in Amsterdam. He married Marijke Sträter in 1960, with whom he had a daughter, Leonie, in 1963, and in 1964 a son, Arthur, who committed suicide when he was 28. His marriage ultimately failed, and only at a later age did he publicly admit to being homosexual. He died in 2006. In 2007, publishers Holland (publisher) and Lemniscaat started reissuing twenty of his best works in the Biegelbibliotheek.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews
February 10, 2022
In a castle full of copper corridors and rooms, near the foot of the mountains, lived old King Monsolain with his sole companion, a hare, "the only creature that still looked after him" after his reign of 1000 years. But..."His Majesty's heart ticks unevenly like a crooked clock...his heart needs a speeder-up...". To keep the King's ticker ticking, the Wonder Doctor prescribed a magic potion made from the leaves of Golden Speedwell, a rare plant that grew far away. While the Wonder Doctor journeys to secure this life-saving remedy, the King's heart must continue to beat "soundly and evenly" once a day. A nightly, exciting story might stimulate King Monsolain's heart until the doctor's return. Everybody in the kingdom who knows a story, be it adventure, humor, or full of plot twists and turns, must visit the castle ASAP.
The first story to pique Monsolain's interest was revealed by a fierce looking wolf with green eyes. The wolf was then provided with food and lodging in the castle. Each night...a knock on the door...a new storyteller. The spinners of tales included a little rabbit from-the sand-dunes, a quarrelsome duck, a three headed dragon, and a love-forlorn donkey. Monsolain was entertained! All storytellers would be given appropriate sleeping quarters. "In my castle, nobody harms anybody else...". After dinner, each night, the animals sat on a bench in front of the fire. What new visitor would provide the next rousing tale? The Wonder Doctor's quest, full of pitfalls, was perilous at best. Would he make it back to the castle, with the Golden Speedwell, in time to save King Monsolain?
"The King of the Copper Mountains" by Paul Biegel is a classic treasure of Dutch Literature. The beautiful illustrations created by Sally J. Collins (the author's daughter), beautifully enhance this fantasy novel. Written for younger set, and with the use of some repetitive prose, it begs participation from the young reader. It was a delight to enter the imaginative world of Paul Biegel. Highly recommended.
Than you Pushkin Press/ Pushkin Children's Books and Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The first story to pique Monsolain's interest was revealed by a fierce looking wolf with green eyes. The wolf was then provided with food and lodging in the castle. Each night...a knock on the door...a new storyteller. The spinners of tales included a little rabbit from-the sand-dunes, a quarrelsome duck, a three headed dragon, and a love-forlorn donkey. Monsolain was entertained! All storytellers would be given appropriate sleeping quarters. "In my castle, nobody harms anybody else...". After dinner, each night, the animals sat on a bench in front of the fire. What new visitor would provide the next rousing tale? The Wonder Doctor's quest, full of pitfalls, was perilous at best. Would he make it back to the castle, with the Golden Speedwell, in time to save King Monsolain?
"The King of the Copper Mountains" by Paul Biegel is a classic treasure of Dutch Literature. The beautiful illustrations created by Sally J. Collins (the author's daughter), beautifully enhance this fantasy novel. Written for younger set, and with the use of some repetitive prose, it begs participation from the young reader. It was a delight to enter the imaginative world of Paul Biegel. Highly recommended.
Than you Pushkin Press/ Pushkin Children's Books and Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 7, 2022
Though I love children’s fiction, I didn’t enjoy this one as much as I had expected.
King Mansolain is at the end of his thousand-year reign of the Copper Mountains. His heart is slowing down, and his assistant Hare has sent for the Wonder Doctor. Now Wonder Doctor knows of a remedy that can cure King Mansolain’s heart but until he returns from the long journey to find the rare life-giving Golden Speedwell plant, Hare must ensure that the old king’s heart is kept strong with a healthy supply of stories. To this purpose, the doctor sends whatever animal he encounters on his way back to the king’s palace with the dictum of narrating him an interesting story.
Thus the narrative proceeds with a vast variety of the kingdom’s inhabitants, ranging from a mighty dragon to a teensy beetle, a ferocious lion to a sad donkey, and a whole array of other creatures. Each of these narrates a story to the king, while the loyal Hare hopes that the doctor will return in time with a cure.
This book was originally written in 1964 by Paul Biegel. It has been a children’s classic for many years. The English translation was first commissioned in 2008 by Biegel’s daughter to bring the Dutch classic to the English-speaking audience.
The book is similar to the Arabian Nights in a sense as there is a larger narrative and within it are several smaller stories. While I enjoyed the book greatly in the first 40% or so, it felt a little repetitive thereafter. Some of the stories leave a greater mark than the others. Maybe it would help to read this a story at a time rather than in a longer chunk.
The stories aren’t all light and ‘frolicky’ as one would expect from a children’s book. Some are quite dark and mysterious. So in a sense, the tales cater to a variety of moods. But if you are looking for happy endings, not all the stories provide that.
There are a few illustrations in the book, which add to the narration well. However, the primary chunk of the content is text-based.
Overall, it is an interesting book for slightly older children (say, 7 years and above) who are comfortable with chapter books and want to try out a classic.
3.5 stars from me.
My thanks to Pushkin Press and NetGalley for the DRC of “The King of the Copper Mountains”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
King Mansolain is at the end of his thousand-year reign of the Copper Mountains. His heart is slowing down, and his assistant Hare has sent for the Wonder Doctor. Now Wonder Doctor knows of a remedy that can cure King Mansolain’s heart but until he returns from the long journey to find the rare life-giving Golden Speedwell plant, Hare must ensure that the old king’s heart is kept strong with a healthy supply of stories. To this purpose, the doctor sends whatever animal he encounters on his way back to the king’s palace with the dictum of narrating him an interesting story.
Thus the narrative proceeds with a vast variety of the kingdom’s inhabitants, ranging from a mighty dragon to a teensy beetle, a ferocious lion to a sad donkey, and a whole array of other creatures. Each of these narrates a story to the king, while the loyal Hare hopes that the doctor will return in time with a cure.
This book was originally written in 1964 by Paul Biegel. It has been a children’s classic for many years. The English translation was first commissioned in 2008 by Biegel’s daughter to bring the Dutch classic to the English-speaking audience.
The book is similar to the Arabian Nights in a sense as there is a larger narrative and within it are several smaller stories. While I enjoyed the book greatly in the first 40% or so, it felt a little repetitive thereafter. Some of the stories leave a greater mark than the others. Maybe it would help to read this a story at a time rather than in a longer chunk.
The stories aren’t all light and ‘frolicky’ as one would expect from a children’s book. Some are quite dark and mysterious. So in a sense, the tales cater to a variety of moods. But if you are looking for happy endings, not all the stories provide that.
There are a few illustrations in the book, which add to the narration well. However, the primary chunk of the content is text-based.
Overall, it is an interesting book for slightly older children (say, 7 years and above) who are comfortable with chapter books and want to try out a classic.
3.5 stars from me.
My thanks to Pushkin Press and NetGalley for the DRC of “The King of the Copper Mountains”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
February 15, 2022
Originally published in the Netherlands in 1964, this story won the Gouden Griffel award for the best children’s book. In 1968, an English translation, including illustrations by Gilliam Hume followed. It was reprinted in 1969, 1971, 1973, 1989, 1980 and 1987, as well as other translations through the years - German, Danish, Spanish and Afrikaans. This edition, to be published in 2022, includes an introduction by his daughter, Leonie Biegel, and new illustrations by Sally J Collins.
As this story begins, King Mansolain is near the end of his thousand-year reign, so it should come as no surprise that he is tired after serving for so long, and even more so as his health seems to be deteriorating. The king ’had a beard that spread about his feet like a rug, and on it slept a hare, the only creature that still looked after him now that King Masolain was almost forgotten.’ ’His servants had died one after the other until only the hare remained. So these two lived quietly together in the copper castle until the king began to cough so badly that his beard shook and the hare grew very anxious.' The Wonder Doctor determines that what he needs is something that will make his heart speed up, and so he prescribes a story each evening, one filled with thrills to keep his heart beating until the Wonder Doctor can ’fetch some leaves of the Golden Speedwell.’
The news of the need for storytellers spreads as the doctor makes his way to fetch these leaves with their magical properties, and as each night approaches, a different storyteller appears at the castle to tell a story. The first to arrive is a wolf who begins his story.
’My grandfather was the terrible Woe-Wolf of the Bare Flank,’ the wolf said. ‘And my story is about him. Listen…’
As the Wonder Doctor travels in search of these leaves to cure the King, there are many delays, and thus many stories shared over the nights until he returns.
This would make a wonderful bedtime story to read aloud to a child, or children, one chapter a night as the author once shared these stories with his own children. Each chapter shares a little of the twists and turns of the doctor’s journey, new characters, and adventure through the story shared each night as the new story-teller arrives to share his story with the King.
Pub Date: 29 Mar 2022
Many thanks for the ARC provided by Pushkin Press / Pushkin Children’s Books
January 19, 2022
Although he’s reigned for a thousand years King Mansolain’s almost forgotten, as he sits in his castle in the depths of the copper mountains, alone except for his faithful companion the hare who takes care of the castle and sleeps on the king’s long, magnificent beard. But now the king’s unwell and only a potion made from the Golden Speedwell can save him. The local Wonder Doctor sets out on a dangerous quest for this elusive plant, sending an array of animals including a wolf, rabbits, a three-headed dragon, and quarrelsome ducks to entertain the king while he’s away searching. A Dutch classic from the sixties, I really enjoyed this charming children’s book, I particularly loved the domestic scenes between the animals, all kept in check by the hare who bakes cakes and distributes lashings of toast in between listening to the animals’ tales. Introduced by the writer's daughter, it’s nicely illustrated by Sally Collins and fluidly translated by Gillian Hume and Paul Biegel.
Thanks to Netgalley and publisher Pushkin Children's for an arc
Thanks to Netgalley and publisher Pushkin Children's for an arc
February 17, 2022
My thanks to Pushkin Press and NetGalley for a review copy of this book.
I’ve been enjoying exploring Pushkin Press' children’s titles from different parts of the world which has led me to discover several enjoyable titles which would have thrilled me even more had I had a chance to read them as a child.
The King of the Copper Mountains by Paul Biegel is another from this list. Originally published in Dutch in 1967, this fairy tale/fantasy story has been translated into English by the author and Gillian Hume.
In this book we meet Mansolain, the King of the Copper Mountains who lives in a castle full of copper corridors and rooms. King Mansolain has been ruling for a thousand years over the animals and dwarves. He now has a long white beard which falls to his toes and lives in his castle with the only animal that still looks after him, a hare. One day Mansolain develops a cough and the Wonder Doctor who is sent for finds he has an irregular heartbeat, something that will lead to his death unless a potion is brewed from the Golden Speedwell. The Wonder Doctor sets off in search of the Golden Speedwell but says the only way the King will make it till he can prepare the potion is if he is told a new story ever day which will delight his heart and cause it to beat regularly for a bit. The doctor promises to send someone with a story everyday.
From then on, every evening an animal knocks at the castle door, bring with them a new story to help the King. These are either their own adventures or the stories of those they know of. From a wolf who must face a witch to a beetle who dreams of living in a beautiful flower, a horse with golden shoes and a three-headed dragon who is captured, and even a dwarf who tells of the kingdom from which he comes, the King and also us readers are treated to an assortment of stories. All who come are given room to stay in the castle and whether lion or dragon, once there, no one causes any other any harm. Alongside we also explore different rooms in the castle with the King and also follow the Wonder Doctor on his journey to secure the Golden Speedwell.
This was as it sounds a very charming book that in its format reminded me a of the Arabian Nights for here too, the stories help preserve someone’s life, though in this case it is the king. I enjoyed all of the stories that the animals tell. Not all of them are ‘happy' or light, reflecting for instance on the futility of longing for what we don’t have but failing to appreciate what is around us. My favourites would have to be the story of the Woe wolf and his encounter with the Echo witch, the squirrel's story, also the three-headed dragon and the one of how the King came to rule in the first place.
I also loved the atmosphere in the castle where everyone has a corner for themselves, and everyone can live in perfect security with no one causing the other any harm. Idyllic perhaps but a lovely thought, especially since it was for animals.
The book also has lovely illustrations by Sally Collins accompanying each story.
A sweet and lovely read.
I’ve been enjoying exploring Pushkin Press' children’s titles from different parts of the world which has led me to discover several enjoyable titles which would have thrilled me even more had I had a chance to read them as a child.
The King of the Copper Mountains by Paul Biegel is another from this list. Originally published in Dutch in 1967, this fairy tale/fantasy story has been translated into English by the author and Gillian Hume.
In this book we meet Mansolain, the King of the Copper Mountains who lives in a castle full of copper corridors and rooms. King Mansolain has been ruling for a thousand years over the animals and dwarves. He now has a long white beard which falls to his toes and lives in his castle with the only animal that still looks after him, a hare. One day Mansolain develops a cough and the Wonder Doctor who is sent for finds he has an irregular heartbeat, something that will lead to his death unless a potion is brewed from the Golden Speedwell. The Wonder Doctor sets off in search of the Golden Speedwell but says the only way the King will make it till he can prepare the potion is if he is told a new story ever day which will delight his heart and cause it to beat regularly for a bit. The doctor promises to send someone with a story everyday.
From then on, every evening an animal knocks at the castle door, bring with them a new story to help the King. These are either their own adventures or the stories of those they know of. From a wolf who must face a witch to a beetle who dreams of living in a beautiful flower, a horse with golden shoes and a three-headed dragon who is captured, and even a dwarf who tells of the kingdom from which he comes, the King and also us readers are treated to an assortment of stories. All who come are given room to stay in the castle and whether lion or dragon, once there, no one causes any other any harm. Alongside we also explore different rooms in the castle with the King and also follow the Wonder Doctor on his journey to secure the Golden Speedwell.
This was as it sounds a very charming book that in its format reminded me a of the Arabian Nights for here too, the stories help preserve someone’s life, though in this case it is the king. I enjoyed all of the stories that the animals tell. Not all of them are ‘happy' or light, reflecting for instance on the futility of longing for what we don’t have but failing to appreciate what is around us. My favourites would have to be the story of the Woe wolf and his encounter with the Echo witch, the squirrel's story, also the three-headed dragon and the one of how the King came to rule in the first place.
I also loved the atmosphere in the castle where everyone has a corner for themselves, and everyone can live in perfect security with no one causing the other any harm. Idyllic perhaps but a lovely thought, especially since it was for animals.
The book also has lovely illustrations by Sally Collins accompanying each story.
A sweet and lovely read.
September 23, 2024
A delightful book. Absolutely wonderful. So charming and inventive and lovely that I regard it as a privilege to have read it. I had never heard of the author or this novel before I picked up a copy in a second hand bookstore. I just liked the title. It turned out to be a marvellous story made up of many other stories that ultimately all combine together.
The ailing thousand-year old king Mansolain is kept alive (while he waits for the Wonder Doctor to bring him the herbal medicine he needs) by stimulating his heart through listening to the stories told him by a variety of animals who turn up at his copper castle. One of the "animals" is a triple headed dragon. Wandering dwarves also play a part in the overall scheme.
This book is a classic and should be better known than it is.
The ailing thousand-year old king Mansolain is kept alive (while he waits for the Wonder Doctor to bring him the herbal medicine he needs) by stimulating his heart through listening to the stories told him by a variety of animals who turn up at his copper castle. One of the "animals" is a triple headed dragon. Wandering dwarves also play a part in the overall scheme.
This book is a classic and should be better known than it is.
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November 17, 2023De kleine kapitein bestaat in 2020 precies 50 jaar en het werk van Paul Biegel, waaronder het prachtige 'Het sleutelkruid', verschijnt vanaf nu in een nieuwe vormgeving bij Gottmer. Reden genoeg voor De Grote Vriendelijke Podcast om een heuse Paul Biegel-special te maken. Met zijn dochter Leonie praten we over hoe zij de literaire nalatenschap van haar vader beheert, over hoe hij vroeger op de bedrand verhalen verzon, hoe hij elke dag op zijn kamer zat te schrijven, met een krassende kroontjespen, en over de tover in zijn verhalen. En we laten Paul Biegel zelf horen, in nooit eerder gepubliceerd audiomateriaal. Luister nu naar de 32ste aflevering van De Grote Vriendelijke Podcast via Spotify, je podcast-app of http://www.degrotevriendelijkepodcast...
January 6, 2022
Deze moderne uitgave van 'Het sleutelkruid' kocht ik afgelopen zomer in een boekenwinkeltje in Goes (onder lichte druk van mijn zoon, die geïntrigeerd was door de mooie cover). Het opzet van het verhaal is ideaal om als voorleesverhaal te gebruiken: koning Mansolein van de Koperen Burcht dreigt te sterven door een verzwakt hart. Elke avond moet er een (liefst spannend) verhaal worden verteld om zijn hart 'op te winden, of de oude koning met lange witte baard zal sterven. In tussentijd zoekt de wonderdokter het magische sleutelkruid in het hoge noorden; met dat kruid kan de koning gered worden. Elke avond klopt er een dier uit het rijk van koning Mansolein aan de grote poort en vertelt een verhaal.
"De dieren zaten aan het dessert in de keuken, en de haas droeg juist een groot stuk hageltaart met vossenbessen naar de koning, toen een angstaanjagend geloei tegelijk bij de voordeur, onder het keukenraam en bij de staldeur klonk. Iedereen schrok, zelfs de leeuw, en de haas liet de taart vallen.
'Hoei hoei hoei', ging het weer. Daarna volgde een dreunende slag, waarbij de hele koperen burcht galmde. 'Doe open!' brieste een stem.
'L-leeuw, ga eens kijken,' fluisterde de haas bevend.
'Hm,' mompelde de leeuw, maar hij sloop toch voorzichtig langs de muur naar de voordeur en probeerde onder de drempel door te kijken.
'Hé, komt er nog eens wat?' brulde de bezoeker buiten, en plotseling werd er rook door de brievenbus geblazen. De leeuw stoof achteruit, niezend van de zwavelstank."
Die verhalen zijn heel divers, soms heel spannend, soms ook bevreemdend. Dit is meteen de grote kracht van dit boek: de verhalen zijn zeker niet zoals meer traditionele sprookjes, maar kennen vreemde kronkels of een nog vreemdere afloop. Dit maakt het op een of andere manier heel verfrissend om (voor) te lezen, ook al is dit oorspronkelijk een boekje uit 1964. De (nieuwe) illustraties van Sally Collins maken het bovendien aangenaam om naar te kijken.
Het boek werd volgens mij terecht genomineerd voor de 'Griffel der Griffels', maar moest het uiteindelijk afleggen tegen De brief voor de koning, uiteraard ook een absolute topper in de jeugdliteratuur.
"De dieren zaten aan het dessert in de keuken, en de haas droeg juist een groot stuk hageltaart met vossenbessen naar de koning, toen een angstaanjagend geloei tegelijk bij de voordeur, onder het keukenraam en bij de staldeur klonk. Iedereen schrok, zelfs de leeuw, en de haas liet de taart vallen.
'Hoei hoei hoei', ging het weer. Daarna volgde een dreunende slag, waarbij de hele koperen burcht galmde. 'Doe open!' brieste een stem.
'L-leeuw, ga eens kijken,' fluisterde de haas bevend.
'Hm,' mompelde de leeuw, maar hij sloop toch voorzichtig langs de muur naar de voordeur en probeerde onder de drempel door te kijken.
'Hé, komt er nog eens wat?' brulde de bezoeker buiten, en plotseling werd er rook door de brievenbus geblazen. De leeuw stoof achteruit, niezend van de zwavelstank."
Die verhalen zijn heel divers, soms heel spannend, soms ook bevreemdend. Dit is meteen de grote kracht van dit boek: de verhalen zijn zeker niet zoals meer traditionele sprookjes, maar kennen vreemde kronkels of een nog vreemdere afloop. Dit maakt het op een of andere manier heel verfrissend om (voor) te lezen, ook al is dit oorspronkelijk een boekje uit 1964. De (nieuwe) illustraties van Sally Collins maken het bovendien aangenaam om naar te kijken.
Het boek werd volgens mij terecht genomineerd voor de 'Griffel der Griffels', maar moest het uiteindelijk afleggen tegen De brief voor de koning, uiteraard ook een absolute topper in de jeugdliteratuur.
August 5, 2023
? Ik had met plezier Nachtverhaal gelezen en was daarom ook benieuwd naar deze klassieker onder de jeugdboeken...
🤔 Ik vond het zeker een aardig verhaal, maar vooral in het midden vond ik de verhalen minder boeiend. Het eind was zeker wel aardig met de boeken van de dwerg, die de geschiedenis van de koning aangaven, en daarna het verhaal van de wonderdokter die het sleutelkruid moest halen. Wat me een beetje irriteerde waren de herhalingen waar de dieren elke avond gingen slapen...en dat de haas op een gegeven moment wildbraad als eten voorschotelde, ach ja, dat was ook wel humor ;-)
MW 31/7/23
🤔 Ik vond het zeker een aardig verhaal, maar vooral in het midden vond ik de verhalen minder boeiend. Het eind was zeker wel aardig met de boeken van de dwerg, die de geschiedenis van de koning aangaven, en daarna het verhaal van de wonderdokter die het sleutelkruid moest halen. Wat me een beetje irriteerde waren de herhalingen waar de dieren elke avond gingen slapen...en dat de haas op een gegeven moment wildbraad als eten voorschotelde, ach ja, dat was ook wel humor ;-)
MW 31/7/23
May 31, 2024
King Mansolain has ruled for a thousand years, and he is dying. The Wonder Doctor tells his adviser, the Hare, that the king must be kept entertained with stories while the doctor searches for a cure. Night after night, visitors arrive and share stories with the king, but the king continues to grow weaker. Will the Wonder Doctor find a cure and return in time to save the king?
A clever little story, with the individual stories coming together in the end to make a lovely whole.
A clever little story, with the individual stories coming together in the end to make a lovely whole.
March 30, 2022
After a thousand-year reign, old King Mansolain is tired and his heart is slowing down. Only stories can keep it ticking while his doctor searches for the cure, so creatures from all across the kingdom come to the castle in the copper mountains to sit on the king’s long white beard and tell him their tales.
Every night a new visitor arrives to tell a story to the king: a fearsome wolf, a lonely rabbit, a fire-breathing, three-headed dragon, and many more. Each tale is more wondrous than the last, but will they be able to keep King Mansolain’s heart beating until the cure arrives?
I never knew this book existed until I saw it come up on Netgalley and when I read the blurb I knew it was my kind of book. What I am amazed at is that I didn’t know about it until now, even though it appears to be a well known ‘classic’.
Filled with heart and warmth this book made me laugh, made me cry and genuinely touched me. It reminded me of bedtime stories read to me by my parents and reinvigorated that inner child inside of me. I couldn’t wait to see which animal would arrive next and how their story would unfold; all the while reading and hoping that the King would hear one more story and make it.
This is one I will be shelving and keeping so that maybe one day I can share it with my own kids.
Every night a new visitor arrives to tell a story to the king: a fearsome wolf, a lonely rabbit, a fire-breathing, three-headed dragon, and many more. Each tale is more wondrous than the last, but will they be able to keep King Mansolain’s heart beating until the cure arrives?
I never knew this book existed until I saw it come up on Netgalley and when I read the blurb I knew it was my kind of book. What I am amazed at is that I didn’t know about it until now, even though it appears to be a well known ‘classic’.
Filled with heart and warmth this book made me laugh, made me cry and genuinely touched me. It reminded me of bedtime stories read to me by my parents and reinvigorated that inner child inside of me. I couldn’t wait to see which animal would arrive next and how their story would unfold; all the while reading and hoping that the King would hear one more story and make it.
This is one I will be shelving and keeping so that maybe one day I can share it with my own kids.
July 5, 2022
I love children’s fiction, but I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I had expected.
It's still recommended for kids, because I think I would have liked it when I was one.
It's still recommended for kids, because I think I would have liked it when I was one.
January 19, 2022
With this volume bringing back to our attention a Dutch children's fantasy from the late 1960s, the obvious response if we've not read it before is one of gratitude. The King in the Copper Mountains is dying, and while the Wonder Doctor – surely the best kind – is off looking for the golden speedwell that is the best heart medicine for him, he has prescribed stories to get the thousand-year-old man's heart pumping in his absence – stories to be told to the King by all the animals the Doctor meets on his journey.
What results is a collection of short stories with quite a suitably charming framing device. And I never thought I'd be reading such a "Canterbury Tales" or "1001 Nights" for young fantasy readers, or certainly not with animals as almost the only characters. To be sure not all the little pieces the critters provide are the same level – the second one, from a timid squirrel, is rather lame in fact – but when they're brilliant they're brilliant. They're almost Aesop Fables at times as opposed to pure fantasy, but that's no matter. We discover what's behind the behaviour of ducks, learn how a wolf bested a witch, see a beetle discover the grass is always greener..., and a lot more.
OK, things are not perfect – there is far too much that is not relevant about the domestic arrangements in the copper castle – but this definitely has a lightness and ease that I found most welcome. Tire of some repetitive bees humming away at their tale? Another one will be along shortly. And when we get towards richer fantasy the nearer the end we get, you realise this could have been written any time in the last half-century, and that we should have had the chance to read it like this any time before now. Better late than never, then – this gets a strong four stars.
What results is a collection of short stories with quite a suitably charming framing device. And I never thought I'd be reading such a "Canterbury Tales" or "1001 Nights" for young fantasy readers, or certainly not with animals as almost the only characters. To be sure not all the little pieces the critters provide are the same level – the second one, from a timid squirrel, is rather lame in fact – but when they're brilliant they're brilliant. They're almost Aesop Fables at times as opposed to pure fantasy, but that's no matter. We discover what's behind the behaviour of ducks, learn how a wolf bested a witch, see a beetle discover the grass is always greener..., and a lot more.
OK, things are not perfect – there is far too much that is not relevant about the domestic arrangements in the copper castle – but this definitely has a lightness and ease that I found most welcome. Tire of some repetitive bees humming away at their tale? Another one will be along shortly. And when we get towards richer fantasy the nearer the end we get, you realise this could have been written any time in the last half-century, and that we should have had the chance to read it like this any time before now. Better late than never, then – this gets a strong four stars.
February 1, 2022
Really loved it, thoroughly enjoyed! I love how all the stories end up linked together and I really loved the ending, but was surprised a little by it as all the rest came together so well and unfortunately there were slightly too many threads for it to feel satisfying and not just slightly confusing. Which is a real shame because it’s a fantastic collection and I loved all of the stories, it’s only the frame tale that I didn’t live quite so much, and even then only the very end of that.
February 16, 2022
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
This book is absolutely adorable. This is a children's well known fantasy classic written by a dutch writer in the 60's. I took interest in it because I love to read children's books from other contries and compare it to the type of stories I heard when I was a kid.
I really took a liking to this one, it's short and cosy with cute illustrations. Would definitely buy this as a gift and would have loved to have read it when I was a kid.
This book is absolutely adorable. This is a children's well known fantasy classic written by a dutch writer in the 60's. I took interest in it because I love to read children's books from other contries and compare it to the type of stories I heard when I was a kid.
I really took a liking to this one, it's short and cosy with cute illustrations. Would definitely buy this as a gift and would have loved to have read it when I was a kid.
February 19, 2022
This is, quite simply, an absolutely delightful book. I would have LOVED this book as a child; even more so had it been read to me, over the course of several nights by my father [who is an exemplary storyteller]. I wish I knew children and young adults so I could find this book and put this into their hands - I think anyone who reads this [child and adult alike] will be completely swept in by the story and will be completely enchanted throughout. It has a king, talking animals who are loyal like no others and stories. Lots and lots of stories, each one a step in completing the story as a whole.
I do not want to go into what this book is about too much - this is a book that is best read with very little prior knowledge - to just go in cold. I knew nothing about this book and as the story unfolded, I found myself excited to get to each new section - "WHAT will happen next?". This is one of the best ways to experience a book. I highly recommend this book to anyone - you will not be sorry. What a glorious read.
Thank you to Paul Biegel, Sally Collins [Illustrator], Gillian Hume [Translator] and Pushkin Press/Pushkin Children's Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I do not want to go into what this book is about too much - this is a book that is best read with very little prior knowledge - to just go in cold. I knew nothing about this book and as the story unfolded, I found myself excited to get to each new section - "WHAT will happen next?". This is one of the best ways to experience a book. I highly recommend this book to anyone - you will not be sorry. What a glorious read.
Thank you to Paul Biegel, Sally Collins [Illustrator], Gillian Hume [Translator] and Pushkin Press/Pushkin Children's Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 1, 2025
REREAD 1/6/25: I needed whimsy and joy injected in my veins and this did that
Gosh this was so lovely
Very much a story to be read aloud to children, I loved the cyclical nature of this whimsical fairytale-esque story, with the grand king Manoslain kept alive by the stories of beasts
Cozy!!
Gosh this was so lovely
Very much a story to be read aloud to children, I loved the cyclical nature of this whimsical fairytale-esque story, with the grand king Manoslain kept alive by the stories of beasts
Cozy!!
November 23, 2021
Wat een verhaal, wat een illustraties: ik ben verliefd. 25 jaar geleden in afgeragde versie al mooi, maar deze door Linde Faas geillustreerde versie is nóg mooier. Twee ademloos luisterende kinderen van 3 en 7 maken het helemaal af.
March 18, 2022
Scheherazade meets Beatrix Potter in this charming collection of Dutch fables.
It is a story within a story. Different animals tell a story each night to an ailing king in hopes of keeping him interested and alive for another night. Classic storytelling perfect for bedtime reads.
This is an adorable and unfamiliar children's story published from the 60's. Sweet illustrations add to the charm. It has a whimsical and evocative setting with wholesome and enchanting characters.
Compared to other children's fables I wasn't in love with this book but it was a good tale. I am glad to see that this is a re-release to bring this book back into the bookish domain.
Thank you to NetGalley and Pushkin Press for this eARC in exhange for an honest review
It is a story within a story. Different animals tell a story each night to an ailing king in hopes of keeping him interested and alive for another night. Classic storytelling perfect for bedtime reads.
This is an adorable and unfamiliar children's story published from the 60's. Sweet illustrations add to the charm. It has a whimsical and evocative setting with wholesome and enchanting characters.
Compared to other children's fables I wasn't in love with this book but it was a good tale. I am glad to see that this is a re-release to bring this book back into the bookish domain.
Thank you to NetGalley and Pushkin Press for this eARC in exhange for an honest review
August 16, 2025
I love fantasy and this just felt like it was made for me. my grandma read this to me. as she was reading it to me I just imagined it in my head
May 18, 2021
Wat een mooi voorleesboek! Blij dat ik dit kinderboek alsnog heb gelezen, prachtige illustraties ook.
March 18, 2020
Scheherazade for kids with a Dutch twist: a 1000-year old king is dying, so a magic doctor races to find a key ingredient for a potion that will save him, while the king's only servant and best friend, a hare, tries to keep him alive by inviting a new animal into the castle every night to tell a story.
A lovely book, with all sorts of good stories from the animals and a good overarching story to tie them all together.
A lovely book, with all sorts of good stories from the animals and a good overarching story to tie them all together.
November 25, 2018
In het begin toen dacht ik dat koning Mansein doodging, maar toen kwam de wonderdokter en kwamen alle beesten kwam alles goed.
Het spannendste verhaal was die van het duinkonijn, omdat ik niet wist dat het andere duinkonijn terug zou komen. Ik dacht dat hij nooit zou terugkomen maar dat was wel zo.
Het spannendste verhaal was die van het duinkonijn, omdat ik niet wist dat het andere duinkonijn terug zou komen. Ik dacht dat hij nooit zou terugkomen maar dat was wel zo.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 10, 2022
Beautiful! I'm thankful that I had books like this to read as a child. Chivalrous and noble characters in a fairy tale both imaginative and simple. Stories within stories, from a time where death was not a taboo in children's books.
January 27, 2021
Het sleutelkruid, een boek vol verhalen die uiteindelijk samenkomen, gaat over koning Mansolein, de hond Miskindir, regendruppel Sba, dwergen Idoer en Nemosj en de stad Arabadar, en de wonderdokter, en nog veel meer moois
April 2, 2025
Dit is fenomenaal knap gecomponeerd, spannend en grappig. Voorgelezen aan mijn 8-jarige, hoofdstuk per avond, die er ook heel lekker op ging. Boek is meer dan zestig jaar oud, maar blijft volledig overeind
December 24, 2019
Voor kinderen is dit een ontzettend leuk boek!
March 1, 2021
Dit is een heerlijk geschreven sprookjesboek verstopt in een groter verhaal. Zeker de moeite waard om een keer (of vaker) te lezen. Ook als volwassene zijnde.
August 29, 2023
The King of the Copper Mountains is feeling his age, and is sad, and thinks he'll soon die. His doctor feels that the king has more time left, but that maybe telling the king stories will help heal his sadness and bring him back to life. This will give the Doctor time to gather some Golden Speedwell and return so he can make the King's heart healthy again.
The doctor begins travelling the land, and creatures begin arriving at the castle, telling the King a particularly important story to each of them. Each time, the King is entertained and moved, and becomes, though still sad, a little livelier.
The in-story tales ranged from somewhat whimsical to surprisingly dark, and contained adventure, strength, kindness, and wonder. I appreciated the author's creativity, and liked the accompanying illustrations.
I liked the first half of the book more than the second half, when my attention began waning. This is an interesting book, but not as enjoyable as I'd hoped it would be.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Pushkin Press for this ARC in exchange for my review.
The doctor begins travelling the land, and creatures begin arriving at the castle, telling the King a particularly important story to each of them. Each time, the King is entertained and moved, and becomes, though still sad, a little livelier.
The in-story tales ranged from somewhat whimsical to surprisingly dark, and contained adventure, strength, kindness, and wonder. I appreciated the author's creativity, and liked the accompanying illustrations.
I liked the first half of the book more than the second half, when my attention began waning. This is an interesting book, but not as enjoyable as I'd hoped it would be.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Pushkin Press for this ARC in exchange for my review.
November 1, 2017
Charming storybook of individual stories which all form part of the main story. There was something quite simple and lowkey and old fashioned, and yet very inventive and creative. I did wonder about the translation in to English, obviously never as good as the original. I felt that maybe the significance of names and rhymes were lost in translation, but nevertheless a charming book.
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