Otfried Preußler (1923–2013)

Three brothers set out to hunt the unicorn in this original fairy-tale from German children's author Otfried Preußler and expatriate Russian illustrator Gennady Spirin. As his elder brothers find better purposes—one gets married and settles down, the other finds his fortune and sets himself up in a grand style—Hans, who never really wanted to hunt the unicorn in the first place, carries on the pursuit. When he finally does find the creature however, such is its astounding beauty that he show more cannot kill it, standing lost in wonder, and lost to time. When he finally does return to the human world, his hair is gray, and he is an old man, sharing the story of his encounter with this marvelous creature.

Originally published in German as Das Märchen vom Einhorn, this gorgeous picture book pairs a simple but immensely engaging narrative with breathtakingly beautiful artwork. I suspect that some readers might find the conclusion here rather anticlimactic, after all of Hans' journeying, but I thought there was a certain power to its simplicity. Preußler doesn't waste any words, and his description of the unicorn's beauty is minimal—one experiences it through Hans' awe, and through the gorgeous artwork. Somehow, this felt right to me, as moments of epiphany come unexpectedly through sensation, and are rarely ushered in (in my experience) with long speeches. I have read many books illustrated by Spirin at this point, and always find his work beautiful, but I think he outdid himself here. These Renaissance-style paintings are worth seeking out for their own sake, but when paired with a thought-provoking fairy-tale about wonder, about refraining from destroying that wonder, then all the better! Recommended to young unicorn fans, and to anyone who appreciates beautiful picture book art. show less

New Year's has passed. Twelfth Night is almost here. Krabat, a fourteen-year-old beggar boy dressed up as one of the Three Kings, is traveling from village to village singing carols. One night he has a strange dream in which he is summoned by a faraway voice to go to a mysterious mill--and when he wakes he is irresistibly drawn there.

At the mill he finds eleven other boys, all of them, like him, the apprentices of its Master, a powerful sorcerer, as Krabat soon discovers. During the week show more the boys work ceaselessly grinding grain, but on Friday nights the Master initiates them into the mysteries of the ancient Art of Arts.

One day, however, the sound of church bells and of a passing girl singing an Easter hymn penetrates the boys' prison: At last they hatch a plan that will win them their freedom and put an end to the Master's dark designs. show less

As a child I once borrowed this book from the library, and I have never forgotten how creepy it was. We're talking about a quarter of a century in which this feeling always remained with me. Not bad for a children's book.

In the opportunity to read it again, this time in its original version, having grown a little older, and having read many many books in the mean time, I must admit that this time it didn't give me the creeps anymore. However I can imagine that it will to children.

What show more remains is a very well built up fairytale like story, about a boy who becomes an apprentice at a mill, that isn't just a mill, but also a school of black magic. Initially attracted to the opportunities black magic creates, in the course of time the boy starts to see the bitter costs of these opportunities and starts his struggle to defeat his black master.

The story is set in the 17th century, in what is now the far east of Germany. Apparently ( I happen to have bought the educational edition) this story is based on old fairytales that circulated in this region, about the sorcerer's apprentice Krabat. An original version of the story is included in my edition. However, Preussler has made a multidimensional novel out of a rather one dimensional fairytale, exploring the grief that comes with losing loved ones, first love, friendship, and the frail borderline between good and evil.

Very much recommended. show less

See, now this is how it's done. Mixed in with the horror, which is seldom graphic, are scenes of comradery among the Master's men, and even of humor about the use of ordinary magic. It's a literary work, too, can be appreciated by scholarly adults as much as enjoyed by children (age 10 and up).

Interesting bit about the use of magic... one could use it for everything but life would get boring then.

Translation seems accurate, is certainly clean & graceful.