The Brothers Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm, were renowned collectors of traditional fairy tales. Famous for classics like Cinderella and Hansel and Gretel, they significantly shaped children's literature with imaginative storytelling and memorable characters.
If you enjoy reading books by the Brothers Grimm, then you might also like the following authors:
A foundational figure in fairy tale history, Charles Perrault captured traditional folk stories and presented them with a clear moral emphasis for the French aristocracy. His direct and charming style imparts life lessons through vivid storytelling, a quality he shares with the Grimms.
His collection, Histoires ou contes du temps passé ("Tales of Mother Goose"), features some of the earliest written versions of classics like Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty.
Distinct from the Grimms' collected folktales, Hans Christian Andersen authored original stories that blend imaginative plots with profound emotional depth. His work is often tinged with a signature melancholy and longing, exploring the tender and courageous struggles of nuanced characters.
Dive into the magical yet emotionally intimate worlds of his famous collection, Fairy Tales, which includes heart-wrenching classics like The Little Mermaid and The Ugly Duckling.
For those who appreciate the sheer breadth of the Grimms' collection, Andrew Lang offers a global perspective on folklore. He was a master compiler, gathering tales from diverse cultures across the world into his vibrant, color-coded fairy tale books.
His most famous work, The Blue Fairy Book, is a gateway to both familiar and lesser-known gems, all presented with a lively and engaging narrative style.
Delving into the rich folklore of England, Scotland, and Ireland, Joseph Jacobs presented tales with a distinct energy and humor. While preserving the engaging narrative feel found in the Grimms' work, his accessible storytelling made stories like Jack and the Beanstalk household names.
His notable collection, English Fairy Tales, is a cornerstone of Anglophone folklore and is celebrated for its charming and spirited tone.
Mirroring the Grimms' efforts in Germany, Peter Christen Asbjørnsen, along with his collaborator Jørgen Moe, was a pivotal figure in collecting and preserving Norwegian folklore. Their tales are deeply rooted in the landscape and culture of Norway, full of earthy humor and encounters with trolls and giants.
Their joint collection, Norwegian Folk Tales, captures themes of bravery and wit in a distinctly Scandinavian style.
Working closely with Peter Christen Asbjørnsen, Jørgen Moe helped bring the enchanting world of Norwegian folklore to life. His contributions celebrate traditional wisdom and adventure through clever characters who often outsmart magical adversaries.
Their shared collection, Norwegian Folktales, includes the enduringly popular tale, The Three Billy-Goats Gruff, showcasing their knack for vivid storytelling.
Often considered the Russian equivalent of the Brothers Grimm, Alexander Afanasyev compiled a vast collection of folk stories that delve deep into the Slavic imagination. His tales are populated by iconic figures like the witch Baba Yaga, talking animals, and brave heroes.
The story of Vasilisa the Beautiful, featured in his essential Russian Fairy Tales, is a prime example of his work's blend of magic and bravery.
For a look at some of the earliest literary versions of European fairy tales, turn to the witty and magical work of Giambattista Basile. Writing in the 17th century, his playful yet sharp style often satirized human foolishness and vanity.
His masterpiece, The Tale of Tales, also known as Pentamerone, contains foundational versions of famous stories, including an early variant of Sleeping Beauty.
While the Grimms' tales often have a rustic, earthy feel, Marie-Catherine d'Aulnoy's work reflects the sophisticated salons of 17th-century France. In fact, she coined the term "fairy tales" (contes de fées).
Her enchanting stories are filled with elegant prose, gentle satire of courtly life, and a distinct air of aristocratic charm. The whimsical tale of The White Cat, from her collected Fairy Tales, perfectly captures her unique style.
Known primarily for her work as a governess, Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont crafted fairy tales with a clear educational purpose. She used enjoyable narratives to gently impart moral lessons, writing in a clear and direct style that made her stories both approachable and memorable.
Her most famous work is the classic version of Beauty and the Beast, a timeless tale about seeing beyond superficial appearances.
A contemporary of the Brothers Grimm, Ludwig Bechstein also collected German folktales, but his retellings were often aimed more directly at a younger audience. His versions tend to have a gentler and more playful tone, softening some of the harsher elements found in Grimm's work.
His Deutsches Märchenbuch (German Fairy Tale Book) became immensely popular and offers a charming alternative collection of German lore.
Moving from fairy tales to national epic, Elias Lönnrot's work will appeal to readers fascinated by the cultural preservation aspect of the Grimms' project. He meticulously gathered Finnish folklore, songs, and legends, weaving them into the sweeping poetic epic known as the Kalevala. This foundational work of Finnish literature blends myth, heroism, and a deep sense of national pride.
A leading figure of German Romanticism, Wilhelm Hauff crafted original literary fairy tales with a strong sense of adventure and imagination. Set in vibrant, often exotic locations, his stories feature clever plots and magical beings that captivate the reader.
His collection, Fairy Tales of Wilhelm Hauff, includes the famous story "The Cold Heart," a powerful tale with a darker, more romantic tone than many of the Grimms' stories.
In the 20th century, Italo Calvino undertook a project for Italy that was remarkably similar to what the Grimms did for Germany. He compiled a comprehensive collection of regional folklore, which he then retold with his signature wit and literary flair.
The result, Italian Folktales, is a masterful and delightful anthology that brings hundreds of charming, funny, and sometimes bizarre stories to a wider audience.
For a modern, subversive take on the classic fairy tale, look no further than Angela Carter. She deconstructed the familiar stories collected by the likes of Perrault and the Grimms, retelling them from a bold, feminist, and psychologically complex perspective.
Fans of the darker, original Grimm tales will be fascinated by her landmark collection, The Bloody Chamber, which reimagines classic stories with witty, gothic prose.
