Hans Christian Andersen: The Complete Fairy Tales and Stories (Anchor Folktale Library)

Its just full of stories. I really enjoy reading them. There are a lot of stories that I have never heard before that would actually be really good to read to children becasue they teach lessons and right from wrong. Others are better for adults only, but they are still very fun to read! I wish I knew about this book sooner! If you cannot decide whether or not to buy it, just take a chance and do it. It is worth it.

This is a terrific collection and at a great price, too. There are over 200 stories in this book alone, all written by Hans Christian Anderson, and it contains many of his classic works, such as the Emperor's New Clothes, the Little Mermaid, The Snow Queen, The Ugly Ducking, The Nightengale, the Tinderbox, the Steadfast Tin Soldier, and many more. It also contains many, many of his lesser known works, which many people do not know exist, such as the Pen and the Inkwell, Muse of the Twentieth Century, Psyche, The Thorny Road, Mother Elderberry, and the list literally goes on and on. And these are not bowdlerized in any way, shape, or form, and they are not your Disney cartoons in the least. If you enjoy Hans Christian Anderson or just love faerie tales, this is definitely the book to have. If anyone has any questions or wants more details about the stories themselves, I shall be happy to answer them. One of my favorites is the Wild Swans, in which a girl must be silent while spinning clothes from nettle into flax to make shirts for her brothers, and she marries a king, but a false priest brings up charges against her (which the king believes after seeing her the graveyard getting the nettle with lamias, although I have read another version that says ghouls), and I could tell you more, but why spoil it? Let me know if you have any questions! I cannot recommend this enough.

Mr. Christian is an EXCELLENT writer and story weaver. Great stories. The emotions invoked are powerful. The translations to me are very well, and I truly enjoy this book of marvelous. I think this book would be fine for a children of advanced reading age, but very well suits that of a 20 year old like myself. And can possible serve the needs of other age groups.

I bought this because I specifically wanted the original fairy tales, not the softened children’s versions most modern books turn them into. This edition is exactly that. The stories feel darker, emotional, and sometimes uncomfortable in a way that makes them feel real instead of sanitized. The translation reads naturally without sounding modernized or rewritten, and it keeps the tone consistent with older storytelling. Some stories are sad, some are strange, and some don’t even have happy endings, which is honestly the point. You can see how different these tales are from the versions people grew up with. The book itself is a solid collection and worth it if you want the authentic Andersen stories rather than adaptations. If you’re expecting cheerful bedtime stories, this isn’t that. If you want the original meaning and atmosphere, it absolutely delivers.

I've been collecting quite a few of these leather bound classics. This is one of my favorites. Unlike the "Grimm Fairy Tales" Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tales seem better to me. Not so many pointless and abrupt ending stories in this tome. I love it and consider it the stronger collection. If you're interested in this type of stuff buy it! The book is gorgeous, sturdy, and looks totally boss sitting on a shelf next to other classic looking tomes.

Arguments and discussions abound about the several translations of Andersen's works. Personally I find this one eminently readable and capturing the humor, irony, and emotion intended by the author. Some have been put off by the re-translation of some of the traditional titles - "Thumbelina" becomes "Inchelina" because of an intentional pun in the Danish language concerning the two words - but if you can get past that, the works are readable and enjoyable both aloud to children and for adult amusement at the same time (much like the prose in Carroll's "Alice in Wonderland"). I thoroughly enjoyed re-reading these all in a new light. I recommend it to anyone with a literary bent.

This is an immensely important work presenting many different kinds of traditional tales, for whomever is familiar with the Aarne Thompson taxonomy. The narratives follow the tradition of the esoteric fairy tale; they are highly symbolic. Reading them enriches literarily and symbolically. Traditional tales were never transmitted "for children", but for the Human Being in general. Hans Christian Andersen is truly immensely important, and completely universal

Great book for children but no illustrations. I feel that is a nice addition for the children at least one illustration per story to enhance the experience. Something I loved as a kid.

Love it

Sehr schöne Sammlung von magischen Geschichten! Habe sie für mich und mein Kind geholt, Andersen wird nicht alt

The Engilsh has been made more traight-forward and easier to understand compared Puffin edition. Only drawback I find is that it is not exactly the same with the audio CD from Listening Library.

classic work at a good price (and some more words to please the machine, five, four three, two one) thanks..

Thank you. Very good