Review ~ The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Anderson

Pushkin Children's Books
October 2015

There's something timeless and evocative about fairy stories. They're built into the fabric of our bones and gladden our heart and spirit with a joy that is simply not replicated anywhere else.

This edition of The Snow Queen encapsulates the story so beautifully that it is magical to read. First of all, it's a perfect size for little hands to hold. There's nothing remotely cumbersome about the presentation and the simplicity of the black and white line drawings capture the essence of the story in a realistic way. Some are a little bit scary, but beautifully descriptive and always entirely in keeping with the reality of the story unfolding.

The story is, as always , divided into its seven parts, all of which are a prefect fit for a bedtime story and there's enough of a cliff hanger to keep the suspense alive until the next read. Of course, being a greedy grown up, I read this wonderful story in one sitting and it brought back so many memories of my childhood, and of being transported to a magical land of ice and snow. And of course, I'm not going to tell you the story, as its one of those that must be read without preconceptions. My only advise is to have tissues handy..

The younger generation, who have been beguiled by the phenomenon that is Frozen might like to read this original story from which Frozen has gleaned most of its inspiration.

Isn't this just wonderful...

"She was exquisite but she was ice - dazzling, flashing ice- even though she was alive. Her eyes shone like two bright stars, but there was no peace or rest in them"...

It's written magic with a purity that is quite simply, stunning. So, if you're a grown up, with a tiny corner of your heart still believing in magic, then pop a copy of this little gem into your stocking this Christmas.

Best read..with a sleepy child, a tatty teddy and a whole packet of crunchy, chocolate animal biscuits.

The Snow Queen is published in this edition by Pushkin Children's Books and is translated by Misha Hoekstra and Illustrated by Lucie Arnoux.

About the Authors

Hans Christian Anderson 1805 - 1875

Translated by  Misha Hoekstra

Illustrated by Lucie Arnoux

Amazon UK

My thanks to Hayley at ED Public Relations and to Pushkin Children's Books for my copy of 

The Snow Queen

~***~

Review ~ Victorian Fairy Tales : Edited by Michael Newton

Oxford University Press
2015

I love Victorian Fairy Tales and this volume contains a selection of some of the finest stories. Nestled amongst the better known tales lie some hidden gems which fire the imagination and feed the soul and anyone who loves Victorian melodrama will be as beguiled as I was with the contents. There is a good selection on offer , from the well known by the great and the good of the Victorian literati, to some lesser known works, which sit equally as comfortably side by side with the greats.

The book has been thoughtfully complied with a fine eye for detail. The stories are mixed and varied and the  comprehensive introduction by Michael Newton places the stories into the context of their time. If you enjoy well written short stories which contain elements of mystery, pure melodrama and more than a hint of the paranormal then I am sure that you will find this beautiful book as intriguing as I did.

The cover is sumptuous and looks like it could have stepped straight out from a roll of William Morris wallpaper.It really is one of those books that you could find yourself dipping into and out of at whim and  it would be a stunning addition to any book shelf. 

My thanks to Oxford University Press and NetGalley for my copy of this book,




~***~