Herman Hesse's "Fairy Tales" offer a profound set of meditations.

Central to Hesse's authorship are ideas such as the innocence of childhood, its inevitable loss in adulthood, and the possibility of reclaiming it towards the end of life.

Our desires and attachments often lead to unexpected consequences or only provide temporary relief from our sense of incompleteness.

The traditional issue of form versus shadows, familiar from Plato's allegory of the cave, is also explored.

"Fairy Tales" serve as brief introductions to these themes, which are more comprehensively examined in Hesse's other books.

However, these themes don't necessarily demand a thorough exploration to be understood.

They can be equally well-expressed in poetry or koans, as our eagerness to understand them sometimes hinders our full recognition.

In other words, the search can impede the finding, a theme present not only in "Fairy Tales" but also in works like "Siddharta".

Overall, Hesse's "Fairy Tales" offer a thought-provoking exploration of these timeless themes.

Hermann Hesse's fairytales are truly captivating, as they revolve around the most wonderful, warm, and full-colored outdoor scenes.

The main character in these tales is constantly on a quest, striving to find himself or a sense of purpose. The stories are indeed interesting, and one can't help but enjoy the vivid descriptions that bring the settings to life.

However, the philosophical ideas presented in the tales sometimes seem a bit too... well, namby pamby. The relationships between the characters often feel either non-existent or are simply there to set the main character on a particular path.

This makes me wonder if the author himself was a very introverted person, perhaps unhappy with society and most people. Forever lonely, it seems that he found much solace in nature, which is beautifully reflected in his works.

Despite the slight drawbacks in the philosophical aspects and character relationships, Hesse's fairytales still have a certain charm and appeal that keep readers engaged and interested.

I had only read a few short stories by Hesse before picking up this book. Some of the stories are truly shocking. For instance, I really want to know what Hesse has against women and vegetarians. Honestly, what on earth did vegetarians ever do to him?

Most of the stories in this collection are excellent. My only complaint is regarding the ordering of the stories. Zipes arranged them in the publication/written order, which indeed makes sense to a certain extent. However, the drawback is that you end up reading one too many anti-war stories in a row. They are not bad per se, but it becomes a bit of an overabundance.

The best story, in my opinion, was "The City". It had a unique charm and depth that really stood out among the others. The way Hesse described the city and the characters within it was truly captivating. It made me think about the nature of urban life and the human condition in a whole new light. Overall, despite the minor issue with the story ordering, this book is a great read for anyone interested in Hesse's works.

It is always a challenging task to rate a collection. It is not an easy feat to assign a specific number that accurately represents the overall quality and value of the items within. In this case, the collection likely averages to a 4. However, it is important to note that there were definitely some standout pieces that deserved a 5 rating. These exceptional items added a touch of brilliance and excellence to the collection as a whole. Despite the overall average, those 5-rated items truly made a significant impact and set the collection apart in certain aspects. They demonstrated a higher level of craftsmanship, uniqueness, or desirability. Overall, while the collection may have an average rating of 4, the presence of those remarkable 5-rated items cannot be overlooked.

Kudos to my friend Fran for recommending this.

Fran has always had a great sense of judgment when it comes to suggesting things.

Whether it's a book, a movie, or a new restaurant, her recommendations have never failed to disappoint.

This time, she recommended something that has truly impressed me.

I'm not sure what it is yet, but I have a feeling it's going to be amazing.

I trust Fran's taste and I know that she wouldn't recommend something that wasn't worth my time.

So, I'm looking forward to checking out whatever it is that she recommended.

Thanks again, Fran, for always having such great suggestions!

I can't wait to see what else you have in store for me in the future.

I don't know what I was exactly expecting. To be honest, I have never had a great appetite for fantasy. I have read a few of Hesse's novels, and more or less, I have enjoyed them all.

However, these fairy tales are different, of course. They have a certain charm that is unique. In brief, I am truly glad that I read them. They have given me a new perspective and view of the author's other work.

But, to be frank, I wouldn't be interested in reading any more of them, even if there are others. Maybe it's just that my interest in fantasy is limited. I prefer other genres that can touch my heart and soul in a different way.

Nonetheless, the experience of reading these fairy tales has been valuable and has added a new dimension to my understanding of Hesse's literary world.

I went through a rather serious Hermann Hesse phase during my late teens and twenties. So, when I was browsing the library shelf and saw this, my curiosity was instantly piqued. Now that I'm in my 50's, I wasn't entirely certain if Hesse's "fairy tales" would still hold any appeal for me. However, I decided to take a chance.

First of all, only two of the stories have anything remotely resembling fairies. Hans Christian Anderson or the Brothers Grimm might even take issue with the title. The short stories here vary widely. Some are profound meditations on civilization, while others are longer tales of lives dedicated to the pursuit of perfection in an art form, whether it be poetry, songs, or painting. Of course, there are also some morality tales that bear a distinct Hesse flavor. And, in the great tradition of European fairy tales, there is an abundance of death, disfigurement, and wishes that go awry. Some of the stories are short interpretations of Siddhartha and other Hesse novels.

I'm glad I picked up this collection, but I doubt that much of it will remain firmly in my mind like the Hesse I read 30 years ago. Back then, it was the perfect material at the perfect time for me. Now, these short stories serve as nothing more than a brief reminder of who I was and my exploration of philosophies beyond the confines of my Methodist upbringing.

Every phenomenon on earth is symbolic, and each symbol is an open gate.

If the soul is ready, it can enter through this gate into the inner part of the world.

There, you and I and day and night are all one.

Every person encounters these open doors here and there in the course of life.

It occurs to everyone at one time or another that everything visible is symbolic and that spirit and eternal life are living behind the symbol.

Of course, very few people go through the gate and abandon the beautiful phenomenon of the outside world for the interior reality that they intuit.

This beautiful snapshot sort of encapsulates the entire book.

Hesse writes fairy tales, simple stories, dream sequences, and tales from everyday life.

But they could be about anyone.

Every character is every man, every action happens to everyone, and every symbol can apply to every person who sees it.

The prose is breathtaking, but each story brings you down because life is flawed.

The hopefulness can never be sustained unless we are no longer part of the world (so it seems Hesse is saying).

I feel like I would be better qualified to review this book if I had a more in-depth understanding of the literary history of the fairy tale.

As it stands, however, I know only enough about the genre to say that Hesse's collection is traditional in the sense that they are not really written with Disney-fed children in mind. These tales are mostly serious in theme, and happy endings are often lacking.

Like any collection of stories, I found some more powerful than others. "Faldum" was by far my favorite. It is a meditative musing on the impermanence of humanity and its desires, told through the story of a town visited by a magical wish-granter. Others that stuck with me include "Augustus," about a boy who experiences the curse of being loved by everyone, "Dr. Knoegle’s End," a wry cautionary tale about militant vegetarians, and "The Three Linden Trees," about the unshakable loyalty of a set of close brothers.

Anyone familiar with Hesse's broader body of work will recognize his more dystopian concerns in tales that look at the evils of technology and war, as well as the ways in which the demands of an oppressive society cut men off from their spiritual roots. Being less idealistic than I was when I first discovered his work as a teenager, I found these stories didn't impact me as much as some of the more subtle pieces. However, the strangely moving "If The War Continues" was an exception. In this surreal piece, a man bearing the same name as Hesse's main character from the novel Demian responds to the reduction of his society to a perpetual war state in the most sane and rational way one could possibly imagine.

Recommended for fans of Hesse and the traditional fairy tale genre.

The man is an idealist, he is a thinker. For men, everything is divine, everything is profound, everything is symbolic. Everything means something entirely different from what it is.

This book seemed to me a beautiful one, with super entertaining and poetic stories that are very easy to read. They transport you to different worlds and situations, make you doubt and question what is presented in the works.

It received a rating of ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5, which indicates its high quality and appeal. The engaging nature of the stories keeps the reader hooked from start to finish. Each story offers a unique perspective and challenges the reader's perception of reality. The author's use of vivid language and imagery brings the characters and settings to life, making it a truly immersive reading experience.

Whether you are a fan of literature or simply looking for an enjoyable read, this book is definitely worth checking out. It will leave you with a sense of wonder and a newfound appreciation for the power of storytelling.

This story is the kind of story that I have been looking for every time I open a new book and read it.

It has a unique charm that attracts me deeply. The plot is full of twists and turns, making it impossible for me to put down the book.

The characters in the story are vivid and real, as if they are living beside me. Their emotions and thoughts are so细腻 that I can feel them clearly.

The language used in the story is simple and beautiful, which makes it easy for me to understand and enjoy.

In short, this story is a real gem that I will cherish for a long time.

Some tales are indeed stronger than others. This work offers an interesting take on the 'fairy tale' format. It is almost like parables that directly relate to elements of contemporaneous life. However, they also possess a timelessness that can span through many eras. At the heart of many of these tales are spiritual quests, presented in a simplistic 'fairy tale' language. There is an interesting contrast between the simplicity of the language and form and the complexity or weight of the central existential/spiritual subjects. Flecks of heimat can also be found within these tales. These were the parts that I responded to the most. They seemed to be firmly rooted in lived experience rather than just an intellectual concept. This combination of elements makes the work truly engaging and thought-provoking.

It makes one wonder about the power of simple stories to convey profound truths and the importance of grounding our spiritual and existential inquiries in the reality of our daily lives.

The use of the 'fairy tale' format adds a touch of magic and wonder, making it easier for the reader to connect with the deeper themes presented.

Overall, it is a unique and captivating piece of work that leaves a lasting impression.