Nutcracker and Mouse King and The Tale of the Nutcracker
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Product Description
Product Description
E. T. A. Hoffman's "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King (1816)" is a fairy tale of a young girl's magical dream, filled with stories with dark undertone. In 1844, Dumas adapted the tale as a children's story, which is now well known as a ballet, choreographed by Marius Petipas with Tchaikovsky's music.
About the Author
E.T.A. Hoffmann was born in Konisberg in 1776. Phantasiestucke, his earliest collection of tales, appeared in 1814. This was followed by Nachtstucke and then by Die Serapions bruder. Among his longer works is his second and final novel, The Life and Opinions of the Tomcat Murr. Hoffmann died in berlin in 1822.
After moving to Paris, Alexandre Dumas (1802 – 1870) began writing and by twenty-five, he had his first success as a playwright. His writing was prolific, resulting numerous plays, novels, travel diaries as well as several children's stories.
Joachim Neugroschel has translated numerous books from French, German, Italian, Russian and Yiddish.
Jack Zipes is a professor of German at the University of Minnesota. A specialist in folklore, fairy tales, and children's literature, he has written several books of criticism and edited numerous anthologies.
Inside This Book
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First Sentence
For the entire twenty-fourth of December, the children of Medical Officer Stahlbaum were not permitted to step inside the intermediary room, much less the magnificent showcase next door. Read the first page Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
For the entire twenty-fourth of December, the children of Medical Officer Stahlbaum were not permitted to step inside the intermediary room, much less the magnificent showcase next door. Read the first page Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is the original story behind the much-loved ballet. It is much more detailed than the watered-down 'kiddie-friendly' versions that are normally on sale.
It's quite a dark story - as opposed to a sugar-coated kids' fable.
But it is well worth a read, and, when compared to the Dumas version, with which it is paired, the superiority of Hoffman's version is obvious.
There's a nice intro piece too.Nutcracker and Mouse King: AND The Tale of the Nutcracker (Penguin Classics)
It's quite a dark story - as opposed to a sugar-coated kids' fable.
But it is well worth a read, and, when compared to the Dumas version, with which it is paired, the superiority of Hoffman's version is obvious.
There's a nice intro piece too.Nutcracker and Mouse King: AND The Tale of the Nutcracker (Penguin Classics)
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
6 reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Holiday Classic
30 July 2008
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
For weeks, I debated whether or not I should buy this particular version when there are others much cheaper. In the end, this was a fantastic find!
This version of "Nutcracker and the Mouse King" is the original work written by E.T.A. Hoffman. The beginning comes with a brief introduction examining both the story and the ballet. Mr. Dumas, who wrote the alternate version, is also briefly described in the introduction. The differences among the stories are quickly apparent, though, also described for you in the introduction.
As a much loved holiday classic, I was astounded at the differences between the original work and the ballet. Both are structured to be absolutely beautiful works that speak for themselves and each contains meanings beyond words. If you are looking for a lovely holiday book for yourself, a friend, or young one, this is the perfect gift.
This version of "Nutcracker and the Mouse King" is the original work written by E.T.A. Hoffman. The beginning comes with a brief introduction examining both the story and the ballet. Mr. Dumas, who wrote the alternate version, is also briefly described in the introduction. The differences among the stories are quickly apparent, though, also described for you in the introduction.
As a much loved holiday classic, I was astounded at the differences between the original work and the ballet. Both are structured to be absolutely beautiful works that speak for themselves and each contains meanings beyond words. If you are looking for a lovely holiday book for yourself, a friend, or young one, this is the perfect gift.
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Nutcracker
19 Sep 2009
Format:Paperback
Penguin was able to turn the short classic `Nutcracker and Mouse King` (1816) into a standalone volume by adding a scholarly Introduction, and a later re-telling of the story `The Tale of the Nutcracker` by Dumas (of Three Musketeers fame) which composes half the book. Most importantly the translations are new, although that doesn't always mean better, but it seems OK to me.
The most important insight from the Introduction is that Hoffmann wrote the story as a critique of the middle-class in Germany in the early 19th century - serious, ridged, strict and conformist (not only German, the same could be said for 19th century Victorian culture). Children are stifled and kept in emotional check, expected to act like mini adults. For Hoffmann, freedom from this condition can be obtained by means of the imagination. In the story, time and again we see reality and fantasy merge as the children escape from the ridged confines imposed by their parents and strict social convention by way of make believe. Once the perspective of Hoffmann's critique is seen, the story takes on a new dimension, certain passages make more sense and the story seems less "weird" or dark. It is more than just a fairy-tale about toys that come to life, but a serious work of art about people.
As for the Alexandre Dumas' version in the second half of the book, I found it to be inferior to Hoffmann; I didn't want alter my memory with the retelling, so I quit it early on. I may return another time as I understand it was influential in the ballet adaptation. Thus the four stars.
The most important insight from the Introduction is that Hoffmann wrote the story as a critique of the middle-class in Germany in the early 19th century - serious, ridged, strict and conformist (not only German, the same could be said for 19th century Victorian culture). Children are stifled and kept in emotional check, expected to act like mini adults. For Hoffmann, freedom from this condition can be obtained by means of the imagination. In the story, time and again we see reality and fantasy merge as the children escape from the ridged confines imposed by their parents and strict social convention by way of make believe. Once the perspective of Hoffmann's critique is seen, the story takes on a new dimension, certain passages make more sense and the story seems less "weird" or dark. It is more than just a fairy-tale about toys that come to life, but a serious work of art about people.
As for the Alexandre Dumas' version in the second half of the book, I found it to be inferior to Hoffmann; I didn't want alter my memory with the retelling, so I quit it early on. I may return another time as I understand it was influential in the ballet adaptation. Thus the four stars.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Explanations for the" versions" of the Ballet
12 Mar 2009
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book seems rather scholarly, maybe a thesis? It gives you the original story , plus the Dumas version used in many ballets. I own several different "Nutcracker Ballet DVDs, I watch them all each Christmas. They all vary and now I know where the differences come from! I didnt realize the Godfather Drosselmeyer really had a nephew--I thought it was just added as a job for Macaulay Culkin! The Mouse King varies tremedously, too . If you the love this ballet---you have to have this book!
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