Fairy Tales Andersen, Hans Christian (Everyman's Library CHILDREN'S CLASSICS)

This is a nicely produced edition with an unfussy modern translation, clearly printed on reasonably good quality paper. The illustrations are ink line drawings from Edwardian editions that lend the book a certain charm but it's by no means lavishly illustrated and they're rather sporadic actually.There can't be many people who don't know what they're getting with a collection of Andersen's stories and this book contains most of his best works and is fairly free from the repetitious themes that pad out much of his output. However, be aware that this edition has some distinctly dark stories that aren't suitable for young children. Even the ones that aren't overtly child-friendly contain some questionable themes. The fact is Andersen had a bit of a problem with women and there's an underlying streak of misogyny that runs pretty deep in his work. In the main his women are either angelic virgins or ghastly harridans intended to serve solely as objects of admiration or contempt. Interesting from a psychological perspective but you wouldn't want your daughter to use them as role models.At his best he's a fine story teller, a keen social observer and is good at puncturing the pomposity of the privileged. At his worst when he goes all nauseatingly pious and godly, he's pretty unreadable. This book contains both the best and the worst.

Item arrived very quickly and is in great condition. Exactly as was described.

Beautiful book

God book and good price