Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #21953 in Books
• Published on: 2004-09-07
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 416 pages

Synopsis
The Annotated Brothers Grimm celebrates the richness and dramatic power of the fables in the most spectacular Grimm volume in decades. With forty newly translated stories-including Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, Snow White and Rapunzel-the book features the work of legendary painters such as George Cruikshank and Arthur Rackham; hundreds of annotations that explore the historical origins, cultural complexities and psychological effects of the tales; and a biographical essay on Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm. Perhaps most noteworthy is Maria Tatar's decision to include tales that were previously excised, including stories that the Grimms thought unsuitable for children. Tatar redefines the Grimm canon with this authoritative and entertaining collection. Enchanting and magical, The Annotated Brothers Grimm will cast its spell on children and adults alike.

Customer Reviews

Modern bias
This is a handsome volume with some fabulous illustrations conjured up from 'grimoires' past. Be warned, though, that it is not a COLLECTED Grimm - you get only 37 of the 211 tales. Obviously the 'famous' stories feature in this selection (Rapunzel, Cinderella, Hansel and Gretel...) but the more curious choices often feel to have been selected because they counteract the masculine pre-occupation of most folklore. Even the illustrations lean overly towards Kay Nielsen at the expense of Rackham, Goble, Crane etc.. It might be deprecatory, but it's an unfortunate fact that a lot of historical literature IS sexist and no amount of commentary can counteract the archetypal force of this. Tatar's enthusiasm often gives the lie to her academic aspirations and most readers of the footnotes will feel at times that they are being lectured on 'dark undercurrents' by a librarian in denial of her spinster status. Don't make it your ONLY copy of Grimm: but do buy it if you want to encourage publishers to keep making books that are beautiful objects even at this price.

excellent and informative resource
I was so thrilled to find a volume that gives background on the stories. Beautiful translations--so much better than the clunky stuff in other editions--and the illustrations are gorgeous. I was glad to discover so much about these stories and how they appear in other cultures. And the information about the Grimms is so revealing--it's amazing that these stories migrated so quickly into other cultures. I really like the fact that Tatar presents not just her take on the stories but orchestrates other voices as well.

A beautifully produced book
This book, like the author's other work, the Annotated Fairy Tales, is a masterfully produced compendium of a great many of the Grimm's best tales. It also includes some of their less well-known and darker stories, which have been banished to the back. The illustrations are excellent, and unlike the Annotated Fairy Tales, generally quite large. Two things prevent me from giving it five stars: firstly, Tatar's annotations are in places plain irritating, reading too deeply into even the most banal sentences and phrases. The annotations appear alongside the text-- naturally enough, I suppose--but some are unsuitable for young children, particularly the references to menstruation and defloration, for example. I feel they might have been better presented as endnotes. So, if you're a parent and considering buying this book, bear that in mind. Otherwise, I'd recommend it: it's certainly great value for money, artfully produced and wonderful to hold.