Fairy Tales from the Brothers Grimm: A New English Version

Pullman (The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ) celebrates the 200th anniversary of the Grimm brothers’ first fairy tale collection in this collection of 50 tales, which draws from all seven original Grimm editions as well as other versions and Pullman’s own imagination. (He opens with a Tuscan proverb by way of Calvino that “the tale is not beautiful if nothing is added to it.”) Favorites like “Cinderella” and “Rumpelstiltskin” become just slightly bloodier, but all retain their old-fashioned feel. Pullman also resurrects tales of the Devil’s odd bargain with a soldier (“Bearskin”) and a girl who faces an enchanted lion (“The Singing, Springing Lark”). Smooth narration makes every tale accessible while keeping the mystical and lyrical qualities that make fairy tales so beloved. Afterwords provide bibliographic and scholarly information. Readers will enjoy not only returning to European fantasy’s roots but seeing how the tree still blooms. Agent: Jamie Byng, Canongate. (Nov.)