mavstela's review
4.0
A classic that everyone needs in their bookcase. It includes a wide selection of old fairytales, the original versions.
danpalooza's review
adventurous
dark
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
melhara's review
4.0
A collection of 101 of short stories/fairytales which are about 4 pages in length. Although the classics were quite enjoyable to read (such as #12. Rapunzel, #15. Hansel and Gretal, #21. Cinderella, #26. Little Red Cap, #50. The Sleeping Beauty (Briar Rose), #53. The Sleeping Beauty, and #55. Rumpelstiltskin), I found many of stories to be quite repetitive (variations of the same tale). Even so, there were a few obscure (and kind of dark) fairytales in here that I really enjoyed, such as:
#6. Faithful John - a story about an incredibly faithful servant
#9. The Twelve Brother - a story about a king and a queen who had to sacrifice their 12 sons so that the kingdom can be gifted to their 13th child, their daughter.
#19. The Fisherman and His Wife - a tale about a fisherman, his greedy wife, and a magic wish-granting fish.
#29. The Devil with the Three Golden Hairs - a tale about the crazy demands of a King who is trying to prevent an 'unworthy' suitor from marrying his daughter.
#32. Clever Hans - a pretty funny story about the not-so-clever Hans.
#36. The Wishing Table, The Gold Ass, and the Cudgel in the Sack - a pretty weird story about three sons who acquired three magical objects (a table, donkey, and cudgel in a bag)
#54. The Knapsack, The Hat, and The Horn - another story about three magical objects.
#77. Clever Gretel - about a clever cook named Gretel.
#101. Bearskin - about a soldier who made a deal with the devil to live like a beast for seven years in return for all the riches in the world.
#6. Faithful John - a story about an incredibly faithful servant
#9. The Twelve Brother - a story about a king and a queen who had to sacrifice their 12 sons so that the kingdom can be gifted to their 13th child, their daughter.
#19. The Fisherman and His Wife - a tale about a fisherman, his greedy wife, and a magic wish-granting fish.
#29. The Devil with the Three Golden Hairs - a tale about the crazy demands of a King who is trying to prevent an 'unworthy' suitor from marrying his daughter.
#32. Clever Hans - a pretty funny story about the not-so-clever Hans.
#36. The Wishing Table, The Gold Ass, and the Cudgel in the Sack - a pretty weird story about three sons who acquired three magical objects (a table, donkey, and cudgel in a bag)
#54. The Knapsack, The Hat, and The Horn - another story about three magical objects.
#77. Clever Gretel - about a clever cook named Gretel.
#101. Bearskin - about a soldier who made a deal with the devil to live like a beast for seven years in return for all the riches in the world.
purplehulk713's review
adventurous
dark
hopeful
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Dark and lovely, like the sinister forests in which so many of these stories take place. These are classic tales, though so many of them in a row felt kind of repetitive. There are a lot of castles, forests, witches, princes, kings, queens, princesses, and a lot of deals with the Devil. Usually though, they come to a more or less peaceful (if not happy) end, though often by grim means. It can’t be reviewed so much because it’s a collection, and the stories were written to be read separately. It’s only repetitive because they’re all compiled. However, some stories deviate entirely from these norms, which is quite refreshing. Prepare yourself for curses, blood, and beautiful wickedness.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cannibalism, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Grief, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexism, Torture, and Violence
marissasa's review
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
2.5
I originally planned to read over 101 days, reading one short story a night before bed, but ofc that didn't happen and I instead would read a bunch at once and forget for weeks. In the end I finished in 103 days, and ranked every story from 1-5 stars coming to a final average of 2.5 stars. Many stories were short, repetitive, or basically the same as other stories with different magical objects or different settings so most of those got ranked lowly. There were 5 favorites that I gave 5 stars, being "The Wolf and the Seven Little Kids", "The Bremen Town-Musicians", "Little Snow White", "The Dog and the Sparrow", and "Clever Gretel". Overall I'm glad I read these classic fairy tales and it definitely gave me more insight into the notoriously dark origin of the well-known adaptations in media today, as the evil characters in the stories would often perish either cruel deaths or injuries and banishment. I can also see how the standout stories that weren't repetitive or re-skinned copies of the others were the ones that got reimagined as Disney movies or as their own children's books. Some of the stories, especially those mentioning religion or religious people, felt preachy, but I get the purpose of the fairy tales was to entertain and warn children about the consequences of behaving badly.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent, Classism, Kidnapping, Domestic abuse, Terminal illness, Torture, Alcohol, Child death, Chronic illness, Blood, Child abuse, Animal death, and Death
yarnreader's review
3.0
I loved reading the fairy tales, even though some of the ends didn't make sense at all. This is definitely a keeper.
supermanabi's review
3.0
I’m a big fan of fairytales (and fairytale adjacent works, like folktales and mythology). I think they’re an interesting window into culture, history, and human nature. They’re also, very often, fun to read. I also think both those things are true of the Grimm Brothers’ collection. Not only do you get a chance to see the absolutely bonkers stories people were telling back in the 19th century, but you can enjoy yourself while doing it. Read the full review here
trish204's review
5.0
A beautiful edition with the most well-known fairy tales by the brother's Grimm. I must say that is was quite weird to read them in English since it's neither their nor my native tongue, but a good story is a good story and the translations were very good. I like that the original tales are much darker and not Disney-ish. That, in turn, allows for the reader to submerge in the stories (after all, those times were NOT cheerful and bright). The stories also offer quite interesting social studies of those times.