Selected Tales

Das Buch ist nicht schlecht fuer jemand der noch viel Hilfe beim lesen braucht und in der englischen Uebersetzung nachschauen kann wenn es Probleme gibt. Die Geschichten sind unterhaltsam. Die Sprache ist zwar etwas altmodisch aber die Unterschiede zu modernem deutsch sind nicht so gross das dies ein ernstes Problem waere. Ebenfalls gut gefallen haben mir Sagen und Legenden (German Edition) und Die schönsten Weihnachtsmärchen der Welt: Christmas Fairy Tales in German (German Edition). See my list "Great German Books".

This dual-language edition of Grimm's famous fairy tales provides an accessible, immediate translation of German and English. Also, because fairy tales often include repetition of various scenarios or actions, the reader has a chance to become familiar with new words and expressions during the reading. Use of idioms and elements inherent to German culture that are contained in the writing also contribute to a fuller understanding of the German language and perspective.

This book was an excellent choice for me with my limited German reading skills. I can read the familiar fairy tale in English to help me piece together the meaning of the words I do not know in German. I love that it is full of classic fairly tales. It is not for beginers, but it's still like having "training wheels". I am am very pleased with the purchase.

This is an excellent book with fine historic background. Do not assume that this is for beginners though. The old style german is probably better for intermediate to advanced readers.

This book does not contain all of the Grimms' stories, but it does include a wide selection (sixtyish) of the most famous and most interesting tales. There were many more stories, of course, but the editor of this edition has chosen some of the most well-known and representative ones. In addition, there are many tales included that aren't necessarily famous but are just as good as the familiar ones. The book opens with an interesting introduction, which shows how the Grimms were the first to seriously record folk wonder tales in a literary form, putting them in good prose but still maintaining respect for the original stories. (The earlier French writers drew on folktales, but altered them into tales of courtly intrigue, and sometimes told them in a snickering, sarcastic style.) Then, of course, come the tales themselves, well-written and yet hauntingly simple.Note: This is an edition for the grown-ups. No illustrations. Visually, it looks like a textbook rather than a book of fairy tales. I do need to buy a pretty edition someday, to pass on to my hypothetical kids. :)