Hans Christian Andersen's Fables & Fairy Tales
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Authors
Adams, Michael
Andersen, H.C.
Issue Date
1993
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Book, Whole
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Abstract
I was attracted to this book because of the mention of fables in the title. After looking at it, I am surprised to say that two of the stories here may actually qualify as fables. I am referring not to the first three Andersen stories: Thumbelina, The Little Mermaid, and The Wild Swans. In these magic and sentiment predominate, I believe. The Nightingale strikes me differently. Though there is strong sentiment here, I think we have a simple narrative that invites perception. The natural nightingale is disregarded when the mechanical nightingale makes its appearance. Even the second phase of the story, in which the nightingale later returns to revive the dying emperor, fits into this simple narrative. Perhaps that phase of the story is overdeveloped here, with Death taking away and then, at the nightingale's sung bequest, returning the emperor's crown and sword. The Ugly Duckling now also seems to me to qualify as a fable. This simple story plays, as fables often do, with questions of time, appearance, rejection, and contentment. The illustrations seem to me strong on sentiment and immediate impact. The best might be the simple views of a natural scene, like the first for The Nightingale and the last for The Ugly Duckling.
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Publisher
The Unicorn Publishing House, Inc.
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Identifier
3977 (Access ID)