Wilhelm Hauff (1802–1827)

This small book is a hidden treasure. Not only are the two stories reverently translated, the design of the book harkens to a time when reading books was a special and privileged form of entertainment. Each page has an intricately designed design which frames the text of the story in a unique way. It is hard to draw move your eye away from the pages, because of this design, which is different for each fable. There is humour and genuine truth hidden in Hauff's short stories, and this book is show more a loved addition to our library. show less

This is the English translation of a German classic from Wilhelm Hauff. It is a medieval tale set in early 16th century Swabia and is very much in the tradition of Sir Walter Scott. The work inspired a German count to build, in the 1840s, the castle Schloss Lichtenstein which had featured prominently in the novel. The castle is now a major tourist attraction.

The hero of the story is totally unsympathetic as is the Duke who he is fighting to return to power. I nevertheless found it show more particularly interesting to since I was reading it while hiking in the Swabian Jura featured in the story. Some days, I would read a chapter describing the scenery I had experienced earlier that day.

The e-book edition I read was from HardPress and was terrible. There were misspellings and other editorial flaws all over the book. An editor should have spent time cleaning up the edition before offering it for sale. show less

Вильгельм Гауф - известный немецкий писатель, справедливо считается одним из лучших в мире сказочников. Сказка "Маленький мук" много раз переводилась на русский язык. В этой книге представлен классический перевод и пересказ, выполненный М.Салье. Это захватывающая show more история о приключениях мальчика по имени Мук, весёлая и грустна одновременно. Тяжёлая судьба выпала на долю Маленького Мука: он родился карликом и рано потерял родителей. Злые родственники выгнали сироту из дома. В поисках своего счастья Мук отправляется в другой город. Случайно он становится обладателем волшебных туфель, которые несут своего владельца быстрее ветра и трости, помогающей находить клады. Мук поступает на службу скороходом к королю. Но искренний, щедрый Мук становится жертвой злых и подлых людей. Король отобрал у него волшебные предметы, а затем прогнал Мука из города. Но благодаря своей находчивости, а также с ... show less

A little boy named Jacob calls out an old hag for being rude to his mother in the vegetable market. The hag ends up casting a spell upon him that changes him into a dwarf with a long nose. Jacob is unrecognized and rejected by his parents, and bullied and teased on the streets. He finds a place as chef to the Duke, cooking up incredible meals, a skill he learned in servitude to the hag. One day he purchases three geese for a meal and one of them can speak. She is under a spell herself and show more has the key to lifting Jacob's spell. Translated by Doris Orgel, illustrated by Maurice Sendak. show less