The Original Folk and Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm: The Complete First Edition

This is a wonderful volume. As it were, this represents the first version of the Brothers Grimm Fairy Tale collection. The author is Professor Emeritus of German and Comparative Literature at the University of Minnesota. As such, he wondered at the lack of a published version of the original volume put together by the Brothers Grimm. Consequently, Dr. Zipes translated and edited the 1812/15 version and it was published by Princeton University Press.The Introduction by Zipes places the volume in context; he discusses the goals of Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm; he notes the changes in the tone and tenor of the stories over multiple editions of the collected works. If one is familiar with the story of Rapunzel, the changes are rather stark. I(n the original version, she becomes pregnant by her visiting male friend. In later versions, pregnancy did NOT occur.The Grimm brothers' prefatory comments on Volume 1 and Volume 2 are provided in this collection, adding their own personal observations to the picture. Their desire to bring the collective tales told and retold by people is manifest in the publication of their original version.But it is the stories that are the highlight here. There are two frog prince stories that I read (# 1 in Volume 1 and # 13 in Volume 2). In each case, the princesses were rather snotty to the frog. An edgier version as compared with subsequent volumes. One of the issues raised by the Brothers is that lessons were often taught in these tales. One is that one is rewarded for good and generous deeds. # 83 in Volume 1, "The Poor Maiden." This is the story of a poor maiden who gave away what little she had--including clothing--to help others. The end? The stars fell from heaven and became coins that she used to become "rich for the rest of her life" (page 263).It's been a long time since I read "Puss in Boots" (Volume 1, # 33). The cat who wore boots and did great deeds for his master ended up producing a royal wife for the man, a kingdom, too, at a later point. And, finally, the cat became prime minister. Other familiar stories with somewhat edgier approaches--Little Red Cap (Volume 1, # 26), or, as we know it, "Little Red Riding Hood; Hansel and Gretel (# 15, Volume 1); Rapunzel (already noted (# 12, Volume 1). And so on.This is a volume well worth acquiring, to provide a context against which to compare later volumes and more familiar versions of the tales that we are aware of.

I bought it as a gift for my daughter and she loves it. The stories caught her off guard so I loved her reaction when I heard her holler out loud

This is an excellent and complete compendium of Grimm’s original fairy tales. It’s exactly what I wanted.

This book is very detailed but it is not recommended for younger children it is very morbid in most of the story’s they talk about being devoured by beasts and murder it is better for you to give it to older age groups and not younger.

The product was a bit damaged but it was very good besides that and the translation of the tales is excellent.

I bought a used book from doubleeagle58 and I was very happy with the overall condition of the book and it came on the day before it said it had to be delivered by im just happy that it came I love this book and would recommend it to anyone looking for a good read of fairy Tales that arent all princesses and rainbows some of the stuff in the book is grim but other than that it makes for a wonderful read and because it being a bunch of little stories you dont have to read it all in one go you can read a little story here one there overall its great love it.

In my first review (further down) I reported finding many artifacts of the final, 1857, edition in these translations of the first edition. Further examination has only brought hundreds of more examples to light. Let me use just one story as an example, The Wren and the Bear (Volume 2, No. 16, KHM 102).I identify about 15 difference spots between the first and final versions in the original German, and in every one of them, Zipes adheres to the 1857 final version. You can check me out: http://www.donaldsauter.com/original-grimms-khm-102.htmIn fact, the text used in Zipes' "Complete First Edition" is identical to that of his translation of the final version in his "The Complete Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm" (with one exception, changing "sliest" to "most sly").My theory as to how this could have happened is that the translations for this book were worked up, not by starting fresh with the 1812/15 German originals, but by someone reading Zipes' English translation of the 1857 aloud while Zipes read along in the 1812/15 German silently, marking spots where he heard a difference. Difference spots could slip by unnoticed for a combination of two main reasons, 1) the Grimms' edits generally don't make much difference, and 2) Zipes' translation style for the 1857 already has extra English words padding out the original German. So when Zipes heard a bunch of English saying more or less what he was reading in German, he would have no reason to suspect one of the Grimm's edits in there. The differences were "lost in the noise", so to speak.This story also provides examples of Zipes padding out the Grimm originals. Words in CAPS have no corresponding words in either German version. However, it was nothing but the wren, POPULARLY KNOWN AS THE FENCE KING. They turned around, WENT BACK to their dens, and sat. ON HEARING THIS, the bear became extremely frightened,On the other hand, he inadvertently got one difference right in the 1815. Where the young wrens cry, "You're a disgrace!", there was a "!" in the 1815 but not in the 1857. But Zipes had supplied his own "!" for the final version, and in copying that, brought it back to the 1815, where it belonged.Notice, however, that if this problem is rectified, and Zipes, or anyone, makes a "perfect" translation of the Grimms' first edition, it is all somewhat pointless. This is because the reader will still not know what differences were made to any given tale! Which explains the glowing reviews by readers here on Amazion, and from professional reviewers, even.What is needed is for someone to present the first and final versions of each tale together. If the changes are just a few words here and there, they can be easily shown in the flow of the tale. If the changes are massive, a side by side format would be called for.Anyone?Donald Sauter*** My first review ***First of all, I have to apologize for the 1-star review. There is much wonderful material here. The new Grimms' stories alone are worth 5 stars.But there is also a profound problem, a show-stopper, so to speak, that must be reported. It will come out eventually, so it might as well be me to take on the regrettable task. The one star is to attract attention, sorry.The problem is this...Many, perhaps most, of the stories are actually translations of the final, 1857 versions, NOT the versions from the first edition.This conclusion is based on an examination of a few dozen stories from Volume 2. Comparing the stories with the original German is a slow-going process for me, and I would be as pleased as anyone to find that the stories I started with are anomalies in this regard. I use the German originals as presented on khm.li , which I take to be authoritative.The examples below show what the book has, versus what it should have. Understand that, no matter how insignificant a difference seems, it corresponds to a real difference in the original German; it is not a product of the translator's art. Understand, too, that the differences shown here are the most significant, and perhaps the only, differences between the first and final versions of the given story (disregarding spelling and punctuation updates.)1857: final version matter, inserted or replacing first version matter1815: first version matter, omitted or replaced by final version matterDonald Sauter*** Little Lamb and Little Fish (page 452)Afterward she took both of them to a little cottage in a large forest, where they [1857: lived by themselves but] were content and happy.*** Sesame Mountain (page 454)and drove to the mountain with the idea of [1857: taking greater advantage of this wonderful opportunity than his brother had by] fetching quite different treasure.When they saw him, they [1815: were joyful -> 1857: laughed] and cried out,*** The Little Donkey (page 456)One day [1815: he -> 1857: the young lord] was in a contemplative moodand began playing a lovely tune with his [1857: two fore-] feet."There's a [1857: little] donkey sitting outside the gate.It's playing the lute [1815: altogether sweetly -> 1857: like a great expert]."and sat down next to her, ate [1857: and drank], and showed that he could conduct himself in a [1815: very] courteous and proper manner.You look as sour as a jug of vinegar. [1857: Stay with me.]"Oh, yes," said the donkey. [1857: "I'd be delighted to have her for my wife,"]*** The Turnip (page 461)both of whom [1815: lived in soldiery -> 1857: served as soldiers].[1815: You should -> 1857: The best thing would be to] bring it to the King.[1815: Your poverty is over -> 1857: You shall be relieved of your poverty]then you'd know the glorious feeling that flows from [1815: it -> 1857: the sack of wisdom].*** The Rejuvenated Little Old Man (page 464)he was with [1857: Saint] Peter[1815: This -> 1857: The young man's words] kept ringing in the earsthey gave birth that very night to two babies who were [1815: utterly] not shaped like human beings*** The Animals of the Lord and the Devil (page 466)When the devil learned of this, he appeared [1815: directly] before the Lord*** The Beam (page 467)and she cried out, "[1815: Hey!] Don't you people see*** The Old Beggar Woman (page 457)Well, this [1815: old] woman begged, too,*** The Three Lazy Sons (page 468)he summoned them to [1815: himself -> 1857: his bedside] and said,"You [1857: 've outdone the others and] shall be king.*** The White Bride and the Black Bride (page 440)"I'd like to be as beautiful [1857: and pure] as the sun,""Don't forget the best thing of all, [1815: my daughter!]"[1857: One day Reginer said to her, "Dear sister, I want to paint your picture so that I may always see you before my eyes. My love for you is so great that I want to see you constantly." "All right," she said, "but I beg of you not to let anyone else see the picture."][1857: he summoned the coachman] and asked him whose portrait it was.When [1815: the coachman -> 1857: Reginer] arrived with the news,She stopped up the ears of the white maiden so that she became [1815: hard of hearing -> 1857: half deaf]while [1815: the coachman -> 1857: Reginer] sat on the box to drive.Just then they happened to be crossing [1857: a bridge] over a deep river.When the bride stood up and [1815: leant forward out of the carriage -> 1857: looked out the window],a snow white duck arose [1857: out of the smooth glittering water] and swam down the river.The old witch knew how to charm the King and deceive him [1857: through witchcraft]With snakes and adders [1857: in a pit]so he [1857: went to the king and] [1815: told -> 1857: revealed] everything to him.while the King married the beautiful [1857: white] bride

Exactly what I was looking for - I think it is fantastic that the 1st editions of the Grimm fairy tales are still being printed. The way that a tale can turn from fairies and princesses to a line such as 'he picked up the cats by the scruff of the neck and bludgeoned them to death' is quite amusing! Some are less child friendly than your typical modern fairy tale, but I think a lot are appropriate and the right length to be read as a bedtime story.

This is an academic's book, being a translation of the original work. I love it because I have always loved fairy tales, but I am also a graduate who likes to get her teeth into the most authentic material. I like the words a lot but can't really warm to the illustrations. As a girl I had a book of Grimms with the most delightful illustrations and they come to mind as I read. Perhaps I should find that book to accompany these texts. Shutting up now. It's a very good book. Lovely condition too.

Kindle version: I've always wondered about these stories. Having read them (at last) I'm totally captivated by them. The text is very well presented on Kindle. I've never been a big fan of illustrations on Kindle, but these are fine, their bold style making them very clear and with an authentic oldie worldie woodcut feel. But it's only the stories I'm interested in, and these are excellent. Endings are not always "happy" ones. I like that even more.

Haven't finishes it yet but I am loving it so far! The stories are so much more fascinating than I expected; some are short and anecdotal while others are longer; some have morals and some have peculiar endings. And it's so interesting to hear some of the classic fairy tales in the dark light they were originally written as. Just generally amazing!

I was disappointed with this book. The illustrations are hideous. The translation is awful. I'm not even sure that the translation is accurate. For example, it says "the ball hit the ground near her and rolled and rolled until it fell right into the water. The Princess was horrified, and when she went to look for the ball, she found the well so deep that she couldn't see the bottom"Where to begin? It couldn't be a well if the ball rolled into it from the ground, as wells have walls encircling them. The language is painfully bad. It should read "the ball hit the ground near TO her""the Princess was mortified" there's no horror!"she found THAT the well was so deep"The book is riddled with grammatical errors, poor translation and just seems to have ruined some potentially good stories!