The Original Folk and Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm

The Complete First Edition

By: Jacob Grimm, Wilhelm Grimm, Jack Zipes - translator/editor

Narrated by: Joel Richards, Cassandra Campbell

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, are newly translated and brought together in one beautiful audiobook. 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' 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.

©2014 Princeton University Press (P)2014 Audible Inc.

Exactly What I Wanted

I wanted a bunch of fairy tales to listen to before bed, and that's what I got. I like the creepy and gory versions, so all the better.
It's an odd translation. Things that I'm used to hearing as rhymes don't rhyme, which is a little jarring. Also, there's a ridiculously long intro - 1:20hours - that you should just skip if all you want is to listen to fairy tales.
Aside from that, I find the original stories fascinating. Mixed in among the blood and horror I expected, there are also Christian fairy tales. They're not biblical, are written in the same style as the other stories in this collection, but with Mary, The Devil, etc.
Cassandra Campbell remains one of my favorite narrators. She does different voices, but they're not obnoxious like so many, and her narration style makes me picture a slightly wicked smile, which is perfect for this. Joel Richards is ok, though a little monotonous/robotic in this reading, and some of his diction is so sharp that it's a little distracting.

Great book

loved it!! Grimm brothers original fairy tales has an interesting take on the fairy tales growing up

A glimpse of the origin stories

First, we should discuss the preface, which feels like it is the first third of the book. My goodness is it packed with information. Fascinating of you are interested in the origins and translations of the stories; but I can certainly understand that those that just came for the stories found it tedious and pedantic. For me, it was worth the wealth of information it provided.

Second third of the book is comprised of the original stories / translations. For me, this was worth the wait, and worth it's weight in gold. As the tales were originally an oral tradition, it understandable that many are repetitively similar. If you listen thoughtfully, you can identify the lessons many of the stories were designed to impart, as well as the repetition involved in training the memories of the listeners and storytellers.

The final third of the book saddened me. I of course understand the Grimms were a product of the time and culture in which they lived; and it is nigh impossible to resist caving to the constant pressure of the influence of the Christian/Catholic religion. Listening to these stories, you could feel some of the abdication of responsibility and forcing the characters to trust in an invisible force that is "greater and more righteous than themselves." It removed some of the morals of the stories and injected "faith in God will ensure that all ends well." Truly designed to create sheep for the shepherd. In my opinion, it diminished and lessened the stories.

Are you kidding me???

These are not stories for your children. These are not fairy tales for you cream puff adults. I loved it!

Enjoyable!

I really like this collection. Especially these original stories. Very entertaining. The narrators did a great job. Loved it. 👍

Not The Tales You Remember

These certainly are not the tales that have come down. These are the original versions of the folktales that the fairy tales evolved from. This is an excellent collection and the performance of the two narrators is very well done. Did not want this book to end.

wonderful with a lot of history

it's such a wonderful telling of the grimms tales and feels like I'm learning about the history of folklore

Great for first time Grimm fairytale readers

This book was required during our Grimm tales class. It was a great introduction especially for first time fairytale readers.

live the stories not the storyteller

I enjoy listening to the short stories before bed. But the storyteller/narrators speach is blocky and unamusing

Actually Interesting

It'll transform you into the 18th century, it was beautiful. Not even a little grim, just story telling as it was, so pure.