The Fairy Tales of Hermann Hesse

This is really an abridgment of the main collection translated by Jack Zipes. This is a two cassette audio edition of narration with incidental guitar by Donovan. In order, the tales presented 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 ever dived into this material and I must say I much prefer the novels from Hesse, such as Steppenwolf, and Siddhartha. These just don't work for me, they seem somehow pained in their efforts to be poignant, poetic, and moralistic. The rather deep plots of an alchemist's seed, regretted wishes, and the urge to craft a perfect poem (shades of Goldmund here), are all for rather mature minds show more and not as plain as the category "fairy tale" suggests. These are more like long parables.

It almost feels - as much as I like an admire Donovan's vocal gifts - that is cooing, monotone deliver may have negatively affected these stories. I feel as I should read them or at least some of them myself some time. show less

Unlike the title suggests, this book is unlike a collection of conventional fairy tales with on the nose moral lessons, but it is a collection of subtle tales which explore human psyche and anguish. An assortment of 22 fairy-tales echo the wide ranging themes of longing, desire, inner conflict, identity, meaning of beauty, and so much more. Must read tales are Augustus, The Poet, Iris, Flute Dream. This book stands as a beautiful testimony of Hesse’s lyrical genius of exploring human sentimentality with such simplicity and heart

Interesting collection, the more fairy-tale like ones can be lovely and certainly show his developing philosophy; I found myself also interested in the ones that don't work so well as tales, which delve more into politics and culture and the troubles of the mid 20th-century in an also modern way.

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 show more 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. show less

More of morality tales or fables than fairy tales, I think. As such, the authors exploration of those points of the human condition and the aspects of human relationships and foibles was fascinating and somewhat enlightening and socially astute... even now 75 years after their composition.

I have read a lot of, if not most of Hesse's work as I have always been drawn to his style and mystical nature. When I came across his fairy tales I was most interested to see how these would unfold. I was not disappointed as he delivered with all that I would have hoped for and expected from this man.

Hesse has a way of weaving a magical message into his work that is at times strange and at times profound. There are many messages in and lessons in which to partake here and enrich our lives. The kind of book with which you just let your mind go and flow.

He uses a concise style and manages to create so much meaning with so few words