Grimm’s Household Tales, with notes.
Grimm’s Household Tales, with notes. Volume 1. (London: George Bell and Sons, York Street, Covent Garden, 1884) Translated from the German by Margaret Hunt. The text was based on the two-volume seventh edition in German (1857): Introduction by Andrew Lang
The fairy tales and folk tales as recorded by the brothers Grimm are the basis for many of the modern day stories and films we have today and have influenced in many ways the work of modern day authors. The tales were a favourite of Swansea poet Dylan Thomas who shared them with his own children. The stories are full of magic and witchcraft and this version of the tales ends with a notes section describing the origins of the tales and their relationship to tales in other regions and countries. There is also an awareness of the links between folk songs and these tales.
A portrait of the Grimm brothers can be found at the British Library
This volume was added to the Swansea library collection on 20th November 1888 and according to the check out stamp was consulted on at least 4 occasions in June 1889, October 1889 and August 1890. The book was added to the General Reference section and was not allowed to be taken home. This edition was translated from German by Margaret Hunt and has an introduction by Andrew Lang. Hunt's edition was regarded as an excellent translation and became a standard version for many years.
Margaret Hunt was a novelist and at the time of this publication a friend of the writer Oscar Wilde.
The Grimm’s tales are written for a different audience and the brothers considered themselves to be academics rather than children’s writers. Many of the tales have been re-written in modern publications with the sensibilities of modern audiences in mind. The title of this publication is “Household Tales” rather than “Fairytales”. Nevertheless the tales teach some harsh lessons for some of the characters and you are not always left feeling things ended happy ever after.
Grimm’s tales have never been out of print and you can find copies or borrow a modern rewritten copy from your local library.
Brothers Grimm fairy tales, ISBN: 9781787552876.
A copy of this version can be found on the shelves at Gorseinon Library and Central library. Search Swansea Library Service Catalogue here.