The Original Folk and Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm - Paperback

by Jacob Grimm (Author), Wilhelm Grimm (Author), Jack Zipes (Editor)

The original vision of Grimms' tales in English for the first time

When Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm published their Children's and Household Tales in 1812, followed by a second volume in 1815, they had no idea that such stories as "Rapunzel," "Hansel and Gretel," and "Cinderella" would become the most celebrated in the world. Yet few people today are familiar with the majority of tales from the two early volumes, since in the next four decades the Grimms would publish six other editions, each extensively revised in content and style. For the very first time, The Original Folk and Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm makes available in English all 156 stories from the 1812 and 1815 editions. These narrative gems, newly translated and brought together in one beautiful book, are accompanied by sumptuous new illustrations from award-winning artist Andrea Dezsö.

From "The Frog King" to "The Golden Key," wondrous worlds unfold--heroes and heroines are rewarded, weaker animals triumph over the strong, and simple bumpkins prove themselves not so simple after all. Esteemed fairy tale scholar Jack Zipes offers accessible translations that retain the spare description and engaging storytelling style of the originals. Indeed, this is what makes the tales from the 1812 and 1815 editions unique--they reflect diverse voices, rooted in oral traditions, that are absent from the Grimms' later, more embellished collections of tales. Zipes's introduction gives important historical context, and the book includes the Grimms' prefaces and notes.

A delight to read, The Original Folk and Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm presents these peerless stories to a whole new generation of readers.

Back Jacket

"A massive and brilliant accomplishment--the first English translation of the original Grimm brothers' fairy tales. The plain telling is that much more forceful for its simplicity and directness, particularly in scenes of naked self-concern and brutality. Hate, spite, love, magic, all self-evident, heartbreaking, delightful. I will return to this book over and over, no doubt about it."--Donna Jo Napoli, author of The Wager

"For a long time, Jack Zipes has explored fairy tale territory with an unstoppable love and prodigious energy. Now, in this complete translation of the first two editions of the Grimms' famous tales, Zipes has redrawn the map we thought we knew, and the Brothers' stories are made wonderfully strange again. This new and indispensable volume is beautifully presented."--Marina Warner, author of Stranger Magic: Charmed States and the Arabian Nights

"This complete, unexpurgated, and insightfully annotated English-language edition of the Grimms' tales keeps readers anchored in the timeless world of the fairy tale. It will be treasured by all lovers of stories. Irresistible and unputdownable." --Shelley Frisch, translator of Kafka: The Years of Insight

"This English translation of the landmark first edition of Grimms' folk and fairy tales makes available a very important text to everyone with an interest in these stories." --Donald Haase, Wayne State University

"Jack Zipes's translations of the 156 tales in this significant edition are truly exquisite."--Ulrich C. Knoepflmacher, author of Ventures into Childland: Victorians, Fairy Tales, and Femininity

Author Biography

Jack Zipes is the translator of The Complete Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm (Bantam), the editor of The Great Fairy Tale Tradition (Norton), and the author of Grimm Legacies (Princeton). He is professor emeritus of German and comparative literature at the University of Minnesota. Andrea Dezsö is a visual artist who exhibits in museums and galleries worldwide and is associate professor of art at Hampshire College.