The Stories of Hans Christian Andersen

A New Translation from the Danish

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by Hans Christian Andersen,

Translated by Diana Crone Frank, Jeffrey Frank Selected by Diana Crone Frank and Jeffrey Frank

Duke University Press

Due/Published October 2005, 304 pages, paper

ISBN 0822336936

On the bicentennial of Hans Christian Andersen's birth, this collection takes Andersen out of the nursery and places him squarely in the literary pantheon. While Andersen's tales continue to seize the imagination with their singular blend of simplicity, eccentricity, and charm, English-language readers have until now had to content themselves with inaccurate retellings and inadequate translations. Diana Crone Frank, a Danish novelist and linguist, and Jeffrey Frank, a novelist and editor at the New Yorker, offer a much-needed modern translation.

In this collection are twenty-two tales that best represent Andersen's literary legacy, including such classics as "The Little Mermaid," "The Ugly Duckling," "Thumbelisa," and "The Emperor's New Clothes," as well as largely unfamiliar stories like "By the Outermost Sea." Illuminating notes clarify references in the tales. And in an introductory essay, the Franks explore the writer and his times, placing the enigmatic and often bizarre figure of Andersen among his literary contemporaries, such as Charles Dickens and Søren Kierkegaard, with whom he crossed paths; and they bring to life Andersen's fascinating relationship with the United States. Illustrated with the delicate and beautiful drawings that accompanied the original Danish publication, The Stories of Hans Christian Andersen will delight readers of all ages.

"This is the real Andersen, restored to life, in the flavor of Danish. He was a perpetual traveler and guest who left behind only this work, and here at last you will find him."--Garrison Keillor"Hans Christian Andersen, in aesthetic eminence, is comparable to Dickens and the later Tolstoy. In the cultural dumbing-down represented by the Harry Potter phenomenon, adults and children alike need the actual Andersen, here made brilliantly available by the Franks."--Harold Bloom, editor of Stories and Poems for Extremely Intelligent Children of All Ages

"This beautiful and useful volume combines new translations of the canonical stories with some of the original illustrations. The introduction and annotations are clear and helpful."--New York Times Book Review"The Franks' edition finally sets the stories straight, and a valuable opening essay clarifies the tale most often told wrong--Andersen's own life story."--Elise Soukup, Newsweek

"A superb book of Andersen's tales, lively to read and true to the originals. . . . [It] is a perfect place to start for anyone interested in understanding the complex nature of Andersen and his writings."--Jack Zipes, professor of German at the University of Minnesota, in the Minneapolis Star Tribune"The translation of Andersen's tales by Diana Crone Frank and Jeffrey Frank is cause for real celebration. This edition is far superior to other collections."--Maria Tatar, author of Off with Their Heads! Fairy Tales and the Culture of Childhood