Grimm's Complete Fairy Tales Leather Bound – November 1, 2010

This is the version I grew up reading. I didn't have much hope finding it since all I could remember was that it was a yellow book with green binding and an orange dust jacket, but this is it!The stories are often very short, many less than a page; they don't always have a beginning, middle, and end; and several of them are variations on the same tale (there are at least three that are some variation of 'Cinderella'). The fairy tales are not at all PC, the heroes often lie, cheat, kill others, and get away with it, many of the characters are no better than caricatures, the language is archaic, the descriptions are often graphic, the endings are not all happy, and usually there is no moral to be gained. So why do I like it? Because of those reasons - nobody has rewritten them to soften them up for young audiences, or to add a moral, or make sure the heroes are faultless. I'm sure that they were rewritten by the nameless editor at Nelson Doubleday somewhat to reflect the times this was published in, but they are decidedly un-Disney.So this isn't a good choice if you want a collection of stories to read to your toddler at bedtime. Why, then, did I try so hard to find it? Because they're unlike any modern story I've read. There aren't twist endings, the plots are predictable, the characters are familiar, but the stories themselves are inspiring. There are fairy tales in here that have yet to be turned into movies, such as 'The Twelve Dancing Princesses' and 'East of the Sun, West of the Moon' and other half-remembered stories that have been tickling the back of my brain since sixth grade that are just dying to be turned into modern books. There are others that read like case studies on the hero's journey.I've been nostalgic, and finding this is like seeing an old friend again.

Gift for my daughter and she has always loved Grimm's fairytales.

Book arrived poorly packaged and in poor condition. I expected better for the price.

Great product perfect condition

Everything about this book is great. It's a fantastic copy of the Grimm Fairy tales, and is a great addition to anyone's collection.

I collect leather bound books for my private library. This book is very beautifully made and who doesn't like Fairy Tales? I bought this book for my daughter's 8th birthday and she loves it. We have read a few stories. This is a traslation from Grimm's original stories, so they do have a darkness to them. However we appreciate this and respect that this is what makes the Grimm Fairy Tales Unique. Be warned though that with some translations that try to leave the stories much in their original style/purpose, it may be bit awkward for some readers. Especially children. This book is probably better as bedtime stories read by mom, dad, grandparents, or much older siblings. Even then it may seem strange to a more experienced reader. As I speak also, Russian and Czech, I know that sometimes it is difficult to translate a meaning or idea into another language efficently. It's not that this book is poorly translated, editied, and/or written at all, it's just that this books is better in it's original language and to those that are used to and understand the idea's from German culture and this period in which it was created. Some fables, proverbs, superstitions, folklore and cultural beliefs don't make any sense to everyone on Earth, but that is okay. They don't have too. You can still enjoy it as long as you relax and open your mind and imagination. I also would like to add that my product arrived shrink wraped and in perfect condition.

My father used to read me fairy tales from this particular version of Grimm's when I was little, so I was very anxious to receive this item! It arrived quickly, and exactly as the seller described.

cool old time Fairy Tales, and some times a little scary. A little scary,but cool book, by the way in the real Cinderella stepsisters are insane.