The Grimm Tales, for young and old, by Philip Pullman was a delight. A retelling of the magical fairy tales of the Grimm Brothers, Pullman weaves in a little of his own magic with sprinkles of wit, reflections and swift direction into these iconic famous tales. I was smitten from the moment I saw it in Waterstones; not only was it a collection of popular and not so popular fairy tales but it had been retold by one of the best fantasy authors of our time Philip Pullman, with each tale ending with a small concise and often funny analysis by the man himself. A collection of 50 folk stories there are some classically brilliant ones (variations of Snow White, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and the Three Musicians of Bremen) and some less known, however no less entertaining. Pullman has selected the best of the Grimm Tales and given them a new lease of life for the children and adults of today to read and enjoy in a far more modern manner.

Phillip Pullman is one of the most recognized and revered authors, with his bestselling His Dark Materials trilogy and Sally Lockhart series standing out as astonishing works of fiction. His unique, distinctive voice turns these classic tales into something quite special that make them so unfamiliar, as if you are being introduced to them for the first time. This enchanting collection comprises of fifty of Phillip Pullman’s favorites from Rapunzel to Snow white and Cinderella, to the less familiar tales of the three snakes leaves, Hanz my hedgehog and Godfather death. This book is not only a delightful volume that brings the classics to life, but also introduces readers to the lesser but equally as great tales that many may not have read. With black wit, otherworldly romance and a touch of particularity, these stories will capture your imagination letting it run away with you. What makes each story even more fascinating is a brief commentary that explores and delves into the story’s background and history, making it so much more special and unforgettable. In Phillip Pullman’s introduction he discusses why these stories have stood the test of time, being just as popular today as they were many years ago, and how they became very much a significant and central part of our collective storytelling imagination. Pullman’s Grimm Tales of wicked wives, brave children and villainous kings will have you reading, reading aloud and rereading them for many years to come. This book should be on everyone’s Christmas list this year as it is my favorite book of the year so far, being something that truly astonished me and which I just lost myself within. The author’s style is so distinctive that you feel as if you are reading something entirely new as these superb, magnificent tales are brought into the twenty-first century with a modern twist. It is a book to treasure and one that will sit quite happily at the top of my bookshelf, with its stunning cover and binding that is so opulent and exquisite. It brought back such lovely happy childhood memories of when I was read to at night and which now shall be reread time and time again, furthermore to my nephews who now have a distinctive edition to add to their fairytale collection. The extra detail included about each story’s history was fantastic, making you feel as if you were reliving a part of literary history that was special and quite personal. I won this extraordinary book (that is a momentous edition to current literature), through a monthly giveaway with ‘the book exchange’. I would like to take this opportunity of thanking them as I concider myself to be extremely privileged to have had the fortuity of reading this splendid book. As an adherent and devoted fan of Phillip Pullman and an avid reader of His Dark Materials trilogy, I was naturally tremendously excited about the release of this brilliant book that I can now add to my collection of his works.

I love these quirky dark tales. I read them again and again. My fav one is the Juniper Tree and it is a popular favourite amongst others. I recommend and it is something you can read with all generations.

Pullman has selected and retold a wide selection of fairytales, including the firm favourites such as 'Cinderella' and 'Rumplestiltskin', with considerable skill. With such a variety of tales; whether its wicked witches, princesses locked in towers, brave princes or enchanted animals; there is something here for everyone. Pullman brings these classic tales to life, and his commentary after each one offers clarity and depth, explaining how and why he has retold them in such a manner. For anyone who is unfamiliar with the classic fairytales, this is a fantastic book that you will visit again and again. My only reservation is that I would have liked for Pullman to have embellished and adapted the tales in his own unique way, in a similar vein to Angela Carter's 'Book of Fairy Tales'. However, as a straightforward retelling, this is a beautiful book should be cherished and will be enjoyed by children and adults alike.

"I want to be God. I want to cause the sun and the moon to rise. I can’t bear it when I see them rising and I haven’t had anything to do with it. But if I were God, I could make it all happen. I could make them go backwards if I wanted. So go and tell the flounder I want to be God.’’ A volume of retellings of the tales that became famous through the effort of the Grimm brothers. Snow White, Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, the Twelve Dancing Princesses, Rapunzel are here along with more obscure - and more obscure interesting, I'd say- tales of princesses and witches, brave lads, wise animals, foolish kings, devils and spirits. Do we need retellings when the original material is so loved and popular? It depends. I am in favour of a writer's new view on a classic tale as long as the heart of the story remains intact. In this case, Philip Pullman created versions that are gritty and sassy. However, there were issues that significantly diminished my overall impression of this effort. Pullman's notes at the end of each tale may be considered "informative" by many readers. Not by me, though. Pullman frequently diminished other writers’ versions or even the origins and the concepts of the stories themselves. I found this rude and unprofessional, to say the least. I mean, you are not exactly Shakespeare yourself, dear writer. Overall, an average effort and a showcase of a writer’s huge ego…