Grimm's Fairy Tales

Title: Grimm's Fairy Tales

Author: Jacob Grimm [Bio.] & Wilhelm Grimm [Bio.]

Read by:

Katherine Kellgren [Audiofile][Facebook][Twitter]
January LaVoy [Website][Audiofile][Twitter]
Simon Vance [Website][Audiofile][Facebook][Twitter]
Grover Gardner [Website][Audiofile]
Kate Rudd [Website][Audiofile][Facebook]
Jim Dale [Website][Audiofile]
Alfred Molina [Audiofile][Twitter]
Janis Ian [Website][Facebook][Twitter]
Graeme Malcolm [Audiofile]
Scott Brick [Website][Audiofile][Facebook][Twitter]
Bahni Turpin [Audiofile][Facebook][Twitter]
Davina Porter [Audiofile]
Dion Graham [Audiofile]
Edoardo Ballerini [Website][Audiofile][Facebook][Twitter]
Jayne Entwistle [Website][Audiofile][Twitter]
Luke Daniels [Website][Facebook][Twitter]
Roy Dotrice [Website]
Julia Whelan [Website][Audiofile][Facebook]
Kirby Heyborne [Website][Audiofile][Facebook][Twitter]
Mark Bramhall [Website][Audiofile][Twitter]
Robin Miles [Website][Audiofile][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: Listening Library (Random House)

ISBN: 9780147526380

Length: 3 discs ; 3 hours, 38 minutes

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

I already have an interest in fairy tales.  But also this received WONDERFUL reviews and is performed by an award-winning cast.

Comments:

I haven't ever read the actual Grimm Fairy Tales.  I'm more familiar with other variations (particularly Disney, but also others).  I was not familiar with all the tales and especially all the actual details and endings.  I found them fascinating, especially the gruesome bits.  I'd really like to read (or preferably listen to) the rest, as these are a selection from The Complete Grimm's Fairy Tales (though unabridged in the telling of the stories chosen).  I was especially interested in some of the variations ("The Twelve Brothers" and "The Six Swans", for instance).

As for the narration - it definitely lived up to the hype, for which I am exceedingly pleased.

I didn't get a chance to listen to this with the kiddos, and it has holds.  But perhaps I'll check it out again to share with the kiddos.

The Grimm Legacy

Title: The Grimm Legacy

Author: Polly Shulman [Website][Twitter][Facebook]; Read by Julia Whelan [Website][IMDb][Facebook]

Publisher: Dreamscape Media (Penguin)

Series: Depository, Bk 1

ISBN: 9781624068454

Length: 8 discs ; 9 hours, 19 minutes

Obtained: Library audiobook copy

Why this book?:

I've had a thing for all things Grimm lately.

Comments:

I typed this up once and lost it, so I hope I remember everything I wanted to say...

I liked Elizabeth as well as Aaron and Jaya.  Marc and Anjali annoyed me in their disregard for the rules, but I guess they were okay outside of that.  I don't know if it's because I'm getting older, or if it's like this for anyone reading the book, but I was just about pulling out my hair wanting them to just TELL AN ADULT.  Really, I'm all for the kids solving things, and when the adults are oppressive or don't believe you of course the characters need to act anyway.  But this just didn't feel like one of those situations.

Anyway, beyond those bits of frustration, I really enjoyed this story.  I loved hearing the fairy tales and the idea of artifacts really holding the power told of in said fairy tales.  Several of the fairy tales were unfamiliar to me, and I think I need to read me some Grimm brothers (I never actually have).

The ending was my favorite part, to the point that I actually re-listened to the last disc a few days after finishing the book.  I've since started the second book, The Wells Bequest, and while I'm sorry it does not focus on Elizabeth and Aaron (Jaya is a featured character though), I still expect it to be a fun book.