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The Fairy Tales of Hermann Hesse

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To read Hermann Hesse's fairy tales is to enter a fabulous world of dreams and visions, philosophy and passion. This landmark collection contains twenty-two of Hesse's finest stories in this genre, most translated into English here for the first time. Full of visionaries and seekers, princesses and wandering poets, his fairy tales speak to the place in our psyche that inspires us with deep spiritual longing; that compels us to leave home, and inevitably to return; and that harbors the greatest joys and most devastating wounds of our heart.

Containing all the themes common in Hesse's great novels Siddhartha, Steppenwolf, and Demian—and mirroring events in his own life, these exquisite short pieces exhibit the same mystical and romantic impulses that contribute to the haunting brilliance of his major works. Several stories, including "The Poet," "The Fairy Tale About the Wicker Chair," and "The Painter," examine the dilemma of the artist, torn between the drive for perfection and the temptations of pleasure and social success. Other tales reflect changes and struggles within society: in "Faldum," a city is irrevocably transformed when each resident is granted his or her fondest wish; in "Strange News from Another Planet," "If the War Continues," and "The European," nightmarish landscapes convey Hesse's devastating critiques of nationalism, barbarism, and war.

Illuminating and inspiring, The Fairy Tales of Hermann Hesse will challenge and enchant readers of all ages. A distinguished and historic publication, this fine translation by Jack Zipes captures their subtlety and elegance for decades nto come.

266 pages, Paperback

First published January 1,1919

This edition

Format
266 pages, Paperback
Published
October 1, 1995 by Bantam Books
ISBN
9780553377767
ASIN
0553377760
Language
English

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About the author

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hermann hesse

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Many works, including Siddhartha (1922) and Steppenwolf (1927), of German-born Swiss writer Hermann Hesse concern the struggle of the individual to find wholeness and meaning in life; he won the Nobel Prize for literature in 1946.

Other best-known works of this poet, novelist, and painter include The Glass Bead Game, which, also known as Magister Ludi, explore a search of an individual for spirituality outside society.

In his time, Hesse was a popular and influential author in the German-speaking world; worldwide fame only came later. Young Germans desiring a different and more "natural" way of life at the time of great economic and technological progress in the country, received enthusiastically Peter Camenzind, first great novel of Hesse.

Throughout Germany, people named many schools. In 1964, people founded the Calwer Hermann-Hesse-Preis, awarded biennially, alternately to a German-language literary journal or to the translator of work of Hesse to a foreign language. The city of Karlsruhe, Germany, also associates a Hermann Hesse prize.

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Rating(3.9 / 5.0, 99 votes)
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sangwiny
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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This is a volume that was discovered by chance.

I had read only short stories by the author before.

But this volume is a fable, which is very suitable to pick up and read leisurely before going to bed.

I like the last story, "within and without", the most. It presents a profound exploration of the inner and outer worlds of a character. The story delves into the complex emotions and thoughts that lie within a person, while also showing how these internal states interact with the external environment. Through vivid descriptions and engaging plotlines, the author manages to bring this theme to life and make it accessible to readers of all ages. Overall, this is a wonderful volume that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a good read.
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LevvyLou
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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This is truly an abridgment of the main collection translated by Jack Zipes.

It is a two cassette audio edition of narration with incidental guitar by Donovan.

The tales presented in order are \"A Man By The Name Of Ziegler\" (1908), \"A Dream About The Gods\" (1914), \"Faldum\" (1916), \"The Poet\" (1913) and \"Flute Dream\" (1914).

This is the first time I have delved into this material. I must admit that I much prefer the novels from Hesse, such as Steppenwolf and Siddhartha.

These tales just don't resonate with me. They seem, in some way, strained in their attempts to be poignant, poetic, and moralistic.

The rather profound plots of an alchemist's seed, regretted wishes, and the urge to craft a perfect poem (echoes of Goldmund here) are all for rather mature minds and not as straightforward as the category \"fairy tale\" implies.

They are more like long parables.

It almost seems - as much as I like and admire Donovan's vocal talents - that his cooing, monotone delivery might have had a negative impact on these stories.

I feel that I should read them or at least some of them myself at some point.
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Fancyjasper
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I truly LOVED this product. It has exceeded my expectations in many ways. The quality is outstanding, and it functions perfectly. I have been using it for a while now, and I can't imagine my life without it. I will definitely write a detailed review in July 2014 to share my experience with others. I highly recommend this product to anyone who is looking for something reliable and high-quality. It's definitely worth the investment.

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MilkyWayOfLife
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Fairy tales, as a format, hold a special charm for Hesse's writing.

His use of simple language and elements of whimsy creates a unique atmosphere that is both enchanting and profound.

The tales are filled with a sense of calm wisdom that is typical of Hesse's works.

They offer readers a chance to escape into a world of imagination while also imparting valuable life lessons.

I cannot emphasize enough the importance of reading these tales.

They have the power to touch our hearts, expand our minds, and inspire us to see the world in a different light.

Whether you are a child or an adult, Hesse's fairy tales are sure to delight and captivate you.

So, don't hesitate to pick up a copy and embark on a magical journey through the pages of these wonderful stories.

You won't be disappointed.
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OtakuGirrl
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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The stories in the book titled "masallar" are actually not the ones we know as "fairy tales" in the traditional sense. They are more like short stories. Most of these stories are very beautiful. Among them, my favorites are:

- "The Dwarf", which tells the drama and revenge of a dwarf who is the tailor of a beautiful noble woman.

- "The End of Doctor Knölge", which describes the tragicomic story of a teacher named Knölge who participates in a vegetarian camp.

- "Augustus", which tells the life and death of a young man with "devil's hair" who can win everyone's love without making any effort and thus doesn't know the value of love.

- "Strange News from Another Planet", which focuses on what a young man learns about war during his journey to a distant kingdom in search of flowers because there are not enough flowers to bury the dead properly after a natural disaster occurs on his planet.

- "Faldum", which tells the story of a wizard who grants everyone's wishes in the city, a young man he turns into a mountain, and the mountain that the young man becomes.

- "The European", which tells the story of a European on Noah's ark with men and women from different nations who were taken onto the ark.

- "The Wizard's Childhood", which is the story of a child who gradually loses his supernatural abilities.
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Yung_Doug
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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The first half feels like reading a fairy tale, reading with great pleasure and enjoyment.


In the second half, the smell of hesitation begins to emerge. The characters start to have a period of transition, traveling, and discovering a new self. The confusion that arises from the deep thoughts and feelings within oneself.


This story seems to take the reader on a journey, first through a world of wonder and then into a more complex and introspective realm. As the characters change and grow, so does the reader's understanding of them and perhaps of themselves as well.


The use of language to describe the different stages and emotions is quite vivid, making it easy for the reader to immerse themselves in the story and experience it along with the characters.


Overall, it is a captivating piece that leaves the reader with much to think about and a desire to know more about what lies ahead for the characters.

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Taika124
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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The first book I've read by Herman Hesse, a name that used to be associated with high-brow existentialists and philosophers in my mind.

However, any book that presents itself as an anthology of fairy tales will always manage to attract an audience and have the potential to gain a fan in me.

Hesse's work, with its unique blend of elements, has piqued my interest.

As I delved into the pages of this book, I found myself immersed in a world of imagination and wonder.

The fairy tales within it seemed to carry deeper meanings and messages, hidden beneath the surface of the enchanting stories.

I was intrigued by Hesse's ability to create such vivid and engaging characters, and by the way he wove together plots that were both captivating and thought-provoking.

This book has opened my eyes to a new side of Hesse's writing, and I look forward to exploring more of his works in the future.
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Mrw8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Hesse can do no wrong.

Hermann Hesse is a literary giant whose works have left an indelible mark on the world of literature. His writing style is unique, combining elements of philosophy, psychology, and spirituality to create deeply profound and thought-provoking stories.

Each of his novels and poems is a masterpiece, exploring themes such as the search for meaning in life, the nature of human existence, and the power of love and self-discovery.

Hesse's characters are complex and multi-dimensional, often struggling with inner turmoil and conflict as they strive to find their place in the world.

His works have inspired generations of readers and continue to be relevant today, offering valuable insights into the human condition and the challenges we face in modern society.

In conclusion, Hesse's contributions to literature are immeasurable, and his works will continue to be cherished and studied for years to come.
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