Gina’s Reviews > Hans Christian Andersen: Best Loved Fairy Tales > Status Update

Puppet Showman: amusing
Story of a Mother: not my favorite overall, but he does convey the depth of a mother's love and the resultant terror of not knowing what your child will face quite well
Child in the Grave: same
Shirt-Collar: meh
Butterfly: meh
Goblin and the Huckster: just as amusing as in the first collection I read
Marsh King's Daughter: not sure why this one isn't more famous, actually quite enjoyed it

Five out of One Pod: how is this not his most famous story about peas?!
Snow-Queen: while I don't think this is HCA's best, I like it; Frozen is 100% NOT an adaptation, but as long as Disney insists it is, I will say that Frozen misses what this story gets: Gerda is a hero not because she's self-sacrificing (as women so often are in these stories), but because she is kind and persevering
Pen and the Inkstand: amusing

Shadow: really compelling except I'm not sure of the point
Bottle-Neck: kind of bittersweet, but I liked it; so good at anthropomorphizing
Children's Prattle: short and cute
Old House: like this one; good messaging
Farm-Yard Cock and the Weather-Cock: 3/5

Traveling Companion: definitely some bizarre parts, but I liked this one overall - kindness will be repaid
Last Pearl: hard to argue with the idea that affliction makes us appreciate the good things more, even if I really, really want to
In the Duck-Yard: what. And also why.

Wild Swans: liked this one; Elise is a boss
Snail and the Rose-Tree: another one that doesn't leave much of an impression
She Was Good for Nothing: liked this; HCA does well with showing "the other side" of those we judge

Jewish Girl: 0/5 how dare
Lovers: seriously who hurt you, HCA?
Picture from the Rampart: back to nature, thankfully
Leaf from Heaven: liked it till the end
Princess & the Pea: HCA at his best
Old Church Bell: research for historic context
Silver Shilling: kind of fun
Girl Who Trod on a Loaf: 3/5
Two Brothers: short and sweet
Old Tombstone: like the idea behind this one
Snowman: Frosty is the only happy snowman story

Twelve by the Mail: timely read! Love this concept and this line: "When a year is gone, I shall tell you what the twelve passengers have brought you, myself, and all of us. At present I do not know it, and perhaps they do not know it themselves; for it is a strange time we live in."
Metal Pig: that was abrupt and depressing
Bond of Friendship: interesting, LGBTQ+ slant
Red Shoes: 0/10
Rose from Homer's Grave: eh

Soup from a Sausage-Peg: this was strangely boring
Beetle: just what you'd expect from a beetle!
Garden of Paradise: history doomed to repeat itself
Story: LOVE this one
Dumb Book: didn't leave much of an impression; not sure what the takeaway is

Cheerful Temper: who knew Andersen came up with Dexter? (I jest)
Little Match Girl: his most famously sad story is (gasp) sad; he tries to make it bittersweet, but I actually take umbrage with this; knowing the dead are with God or a relative can be comforting, but this feels more like glorifying
Story of the Year: beautiful nature depictions here
There Is No Doubt About It: hilarious
Ole Luk-Oie: fun little story

Bell: I like this one; strong descriptions of nature, the takeaway being (for me) that reconnecting with the natural world is a spiritual and healing thing
Thumbelina: my apologies to the movie for thinking it was bonkers; it was just taking its cue here; still a cute story, though I always feel bad/wonder about the woman from the beginning
Little Tuk: fun little idea!