Customer Reviews:
Is Hoffmann insane? Decide for yourself........2005-04-04
If you are looking for a stylized page turner, ala the Da Vinci Code, then don't waste your time on this book. These tales require a little bit more effort. Hoffmann wrote them almost 200 years ago for a primarily female audience. Many were overwhelmed by his fertile imagination (Goethe thought that Hoffmann was insane). Today's reader, of course, will find them quite tame.
A weird logic reigns in all of these tales. In reading them, you'll gain an insight into that strange train wreck of natural philosophy, occultism and aesthetics known as German Romanticism.
The translations, though uninspired, are adequate. My favorite tale is The Sandman. Stepford Wives?
19th Century German Horror And Fantasy.......2004-05-06
Although the previous review was negative calling this collection of E.T.A. Hoffman's stories uninspiring and meaningless, it's worth taking a better look. E.T.A. Hoffman's genius and the Germany he was familiar with. In the mid 19th century, Germany, not yet the German Empire, was a vast and varied society. Intellectuals were educated in the brand name universities (such as Heidelberg) and new waves of thought and politics were emerging such as Karl Marx's Communism. Germany had been the home of great existential philosophers such as Immanuel Kant, the freedom-loving Friderich Von Schiller and later the atheist Friedrich Nietzche. It was the home of many Romantic Era composers and writers - Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann, Richard Wagner, Gustav Mahler, writer Henrich Heine and our own E.T.A. Hoffman. He represented, like many other fiction writers his age, the Romanticism of the 19th century that flowered all over Europe. Germany was mostly famous for its symbolic fantasy and fairy-tales, after all this was also the home of the Grimm Brothers.
Hoffman's short stories were the German equivalent for Gothic fantasy and horror, in a slightly similar style that Edgar Allan Poe wrote in America. There is even a resemblance to early science fiction novellas, though nothing like Jules Verne or H.G. Wells. "The Sandman" and "Councillor Crespel" were feautured and altered in the Jacques Offenbach French opera "Les Contes D'Hoffman" of The Tales Of Hoffman. These supernatural tales dealt with death and romantic despair. In one story, a soprano suffering of consumption is forced to sing to her death by a villainous doctor. Although the stories appear to be strange and foreign to us, it was highly regarded as great literature of science fiction or horror. For its historic value
and for any interested fans of Romantic Era obscure novelists, this is perfect to read. Also, if you want to read the source of inspiration for Offenbach's opera The Tales Of Hoffman.
Uninspiring.......2003-08-14
I fear that I will be vilified for not recommending this book, but honesty requires that I say I found it remarkably unenjoyable. I was given the book as a gift, and was not previously familiar with Hoffmann. Let me say also, that I am not a complete Philistine, and I thought that if this indeed considered a "classic" then there was no reason I shouldn't like it. But the first story, "Mademoiselle de Scudery", described by the translator as Hoffmann's masterpiece, is a total train wreck. The characters are ridiculously artificial and overwrought, though this is I suppose expected in this genre of literature. But worst of all, the story is completely unable to generate any kind of tension. It was infuriating to read a banal account of these events which obviously could have been suspensful.
Some of the other stories are better: I enjoyed "The Sandman" and "The Mines at Falun", but often the other stories are filled with mystical symbols and bizarre events that appear to bear no relationship between with the rest of the story. I'm all for unusual ideas and out of the ordinary happenings, but there is a penchant in these stories for meaninglessness and triviality. Maybe I'm not seeing the 900 pound gorilla in the room, I don't know. But as it stands now, I would not want to pass the gift of these stories on to anyone.
A Treasury of Wonderful Stories..........2001-02-12
E. T. A. Hoffmann is perhaps best known to American audiences as the creator of "The Nutcracker"; a story most are familar with due to the numerous stage productions each Christmas season. Hoffmann's contribution to fantasy and literature extends far beyond the Nutcracker though. He posessed an amazing imagination and true talent for spinning a story, exciting a sense of wonder and creating eccentric, memorable characters. This book, "The Tales of Hoffman", offers the reader some of Hoffmann's best, and at the same time, lesser known works. The stories included are:
"Mademoiselle de Scudery", "The Sandman", "The Artushof", "Councillor Krespel", "The Entail", "Doge and Dogaressa" "The Mines at Falun", "The Choosing of the Bride"
I wish I was a Hoffmann scholar, so that I could do justice in this review to these great tales. Suffice it to say, that anyone interested in superbly crafted fantasy, the supernatural interwoven with the romantic, and wonderfully crafted characters - anyone who reads and admires to the works of Edgar Allan Poe, Charles Dickens, and Bram Stoker to name just a few, should read the works of Herr Hoffmann. He is truly one of the finest, and under appreciated, authors of the fantastic.
The best.......2000-04-20
Ako ste ljubitelj fantasticne knjizevnosti Hofmana nikako ne mozete da preskocite. On je jedan od najboljih.
Book Description
"A classic, new and complete. One of the ten best illustrated children's books of the year."
-- New York Times Book Review
The tale of Nutcracker, written by E.T.A. Hoffmann in 1816, has fascinated and inspired artists, composers, and audiences for almost two hundred years. It has retained its freshness because it appeals to the sense of wonder we all share.
Maurice Sendak designed brilliant sets and costumes for the Pacific Northwest Ballet's Christmas production of Nutcracker and created even more magnificent pictures especially for this book. He joined with the eminent translator Ralph Manheim to produce this illustrated edition of Hoffmann's wonderful tale, destined to become a classic for all ages.
The world of Nutcracker is a world of pleasures. Maurice Sendak's art illuminates the delights of Hoffmann's story in this rich and tantalizing treasure.
Customer Reviews:
Great for ALL ages!.......2006-12-30
When I was a child I had this book , as well as two audio tape versions of the story. ( one read by Claire Bloom, the other by Christopher Plummer, both are great!) If you go to see the ballet without knowing the backstory it doesn't make much sense.
I also totally disagree that the book ( and the audio versions for that matter) are only good for older children and adults. While the language may be more complex than some story books there is no reason why a young child can't understand it. If parents expose their children to more sophisticated language then they learn it. Toomany books, cds, tv shows etc... talk down to children! If a child is never exposed to language then they can't learn it. My mother and father never talked down or baby talked to me, and exposed me to a wide variety of books, when I was 2 I said "I presume...." in answer to a question my mother asked me. LOL :-)
Just a though.
Not suitable for young children.......2005-12-27
My daughter loves the Nutcracker ballet and I thought it would be good for her to know the full story behind it (I had never heard it myself). The previous reviews and comments on the beautiful illustrations led me to believe this would be a great choice for my 5 year old daughter.
The illustrations are very similar in style to those in Where the Wild Things Are. If you don't like that book, you won't like the illustrations in this one. Also be aware that this is NOT a picture book. There is a very high ratio of text to illustrations.
I also feel the text is inappropriate for young children. The actual story is very dark and the language, while beautiful, is above the vocabulary and experience of most young children. ( "These intrepid and magnificently uniformed troops, consisting of gardeners, Tyroleans, Tunguses, barbers, harlequins, cupids, lions, and tigers, and monkeys, fought with coolness, courage, and perseverance. With their Spartan bravery, this elite regiment would have wrested the victory from the enemy, had not a daring mouse captain leaped into the fray and bitten the head off one of the Chinese emperors, who in falling crushed two Tunguses and a monkey." p32)
I WOULD recommend this book for older children.
Nutcracker Lover.......2005-10-02
Excellent book and an all time favorite for Christmas or any time...............The needed companion for the ballet !
A book they will remember.......2004-09-23
This book is beautiful! I received the first edition as a Christmas gift as a child. I cherished it, reading it over and over again. Sendak's illustrations and Hoffman's engaging story are still vivid in my memory. I bought two copies of this re-issue, one for my 3-year-old son and one for my 4-year-old niece. This is what all children's books should aspire to. A wonderful gift for any child.
Fascinating, for every season.......1997-06-10
This book was a gift to my family when I was a child - I loved it then, and enjoy it more every time I re-read. The story is more than just the plot for a ballet. There is a lot of background, description, and insight included, and they do a lot to make the book fantastic. What elevates this work to magnificent is the artwork done by Sendak. It is lush, detailed, and beautiful. I can't say enough about the quality of this book, and urge everyone to find their own copy. This is not just a Christmas story, but a wonderful parable for every season
Book Description
This is a new translation of five of Hoffmann's most celebrated tales: The Golden Pot; The Sandman; Princess Brambilla; Master Flea; and My Cousin's Corner Window. The detailed introduction places the stories in their intellectual and historical context and explores their compelling narrative complexities.
Customer Reviews:
An author worth reading........2003-04-02
I would like to take a moment to correct a very common misconception about E.T.A. Hoffmann...in all fairness to him, Hoffmann should not be known for writing The Nutcracker on which the ballet is based. The ballet is based on the version of the story written by Alexandre Dumas NOT Hoffmann! Hoffmann's version (the original, and the version Tchaikovsky thought he was writing the music for, until Petipa, the choreographer, decided it was too dark and strange to be made into a ballet and went with the sweet and fluffy Dumas version), is far superior and definiately worth reading even though it is one of his lighter tales. It's more fantasically strange and wonderful than dark and scary. It's also not as thought-provoking as some of his other works. If you're planning to read it I recommend the copy with Maurice Sendak's illustrations, as they set off the tone and mood of the story perfectly.
In regards to this particular book (The Golden Pot and others), I have found that everything Herr Hoffmann wrote is worth reading...it's just unfortunate that there aren't more collections of his works available. I've had a devil of a time trying to find a good hardbound copy myself!
A beautiful, transcendent, and incredible book.......1999-01-28
E.T.A. Hoffmann is, in my opinion, one of the best and, sadly, unknown authors ever. I came across his name in a study of German Romanticism and even now whenever I want to escape this mundane reality I turn to his tales. Although known for the Nutcracker, his other tales are far more beautiful, moving and fantastic. The Golden Pot is perhaps the best story I have ever read. For anyone wishing so submerge him/herself in another world for a little while, a world of magic, beauty and horror, this is the best book one could choose. Each of his tales is unique, fantastic and exquisite.
Book Description
French/English. Translated by Martin.
Customer Reviews:
Trapped Between Harsh Reality and Evil Fantasy.......2002-10-03
(This review refers to the book which contains three of Hoffman's many tales.) If you enjoy European fantasy, Hoffman invites you to enter his dark realm where the distinctions between the Real and the Impossible are blurred. Allow yourself to be lead into a parallel universe, where nightmares take on frightenting intensity; where the solid world melts into obsessions, doppelgangers and the scent of brimstone. Where men sell their souls (or their reflections) for passion, fame or talent. Such is the literary milieu created by ETA Hoffman, which inspired Jacques Offenback to compose an opera on three of these chiaroscuro vignettes.
Each tale features a different protagonist--a passionate but morbid young man ensnared by insidious evil or a warped mindset. Still we empathize their their various predicaments as they inevitably fall prey to the schemes of devious men, or even worse--their own propensity for paranoia. It is left to the reader to judge each case for himself. Certain elements are common to all three tales; the importance of Music, superfluous references to artists, scientists and writers of the day, and the quaint contrivance of protecting the identity of the cities by merely giving their first initial. Hoffman's themes are depressing but fascinating; so often the love of good women can not avail the heroes, who simply refuse salvation. Permit the mists of confusion and tempatation to swirl through your brain until you are gradually released from your stifling bondage to the
Normal with its limitations of the senses. Surrender to the dark side--from the safety of your armchair!
Book Description
Ten of Hoffmann's greatest tales, enormously popular in Europe but rarely seen in the United States: "The Golden Flower Pot," "Automata," "Nutcracker and the King of Mice," "The Sand Man," and 6 others. Edited and corrected by E. F. Bleiler. Features 7 drawings by Hoffmann.
Customer Reviews:
Timeless gems.......2002-11-21
E T A Hoffmann was no ordinary man. He started life as a composer and then moved to writing stories. There are several of his sketches reproduced in this book and these show flashes of great talent too (you can see one on the cover). Hoffmann's influence is enormous in the musical world (Tchiakovsky, Delibes, Offenbach, Wagner all drew inspiration from Hoffmann). And there is something timeless in these stories even into the 21st century - there are psychological puzzles, studies of behaviour and myth, stories of automata that Philip Dick, Cordwainer Smith or Isaac Asimov would have been proud of, there are links not surprisingly into the world of music (you mustn't miss 'Rath Krespel') and the world of art (see 'Tobias Martin, Master Cooper'). Somehow Hoffmann makes ancient technologies and methods fresh and exciting - barrel making, sailing, alchemy, mining. Unfortunately the most famous of Hoffmann's stories (Nutcracker) is one of the weakest for me, and the one with the greatest reputation ('The Golden Flower Pot') suffers in this anthology by a translation that didn't engage me as well as those of other stories. My favourite stories are 'The Sand-Man', 'Rath Krespel' and 'Tobias Martin'. Here's a brief quote from 'Tobias Martin' that appealed to me especially: 'It sometimes happens that the deepest sorrow, if it can find tears and words, dissolves into a mild melancholy, so that perhaps even a gentle shimmer of hope begins to beam faintly through the heart.' Hoffmann is often sentimental but this is more than offset by an unpredictable exoticness.
Fantasia with Automata and Vegetable King, etc........2000-11-01
Ernst Theodor Amadeus Hoffmann was born Ernst Theodor Wilhelm - he changed his name in honour of Mozart, and music was his first and possibly greatest love. He was a brilliant critic, a talented painter and caricaturist and, by all accounts, a very serviceable composer. All these elements - music, the pictorial sense, and the critic's sharp probing intelligence as displayed in the present review - feed into the stories, which perhaps is why they turned out to be his most lasting achievement. The ten in this collection are tales of the fantastic (Hoffmann is also credited by some with inventing the detective story with "Madame de Scudery", not included here, which predates, and may have influenced, Edgar Allan Poe's pioneering efforts in the genre) and include the four which provided the basis for Offenbach's opera. The style, like Mozart's, is bright, energetic and often comic; the substance, as with caricature, mixes the bizarre with the mundane in a fashion quite unlike that of anyone else you've ever read, even among Hoffmann's batallions of readers, followers and imitators. The general effect is strikingly original, often disturbing, sometimes hilarious and, not infrequently, loony - not at all what one would expect from the last of the German Romantics. This volume also boasts several illustrations scrawled by the author, a helpful introduction by E F Bleiler, and Dover Books' usual robust construction and reasonable pricing. Like Lord Dunsany, Hoffmann has been prized more as an influence than a writer. His work has certainly had an incalculable influence on modern fantasy fiction, as well as the detective story, science fiction and the 19th-century "novel of ideas" (Dostoyevsky noted Hoffmann's psychological insight as an influence on his own). But his own best work falls into none of these categories, inventing them all in the service of the author's vision - the mark of a true original, and the best possible reason to read Hoffmann for himself.
Customer Reviews:
A classic.......2006-08-07
I was raised on this book from the age of 3 up, and it never "terrified" me; it was fascinating and a little scary to think these things COULD happen, but overall the lessons from the book stayed with me FOREVER. Stay well-groomed; eat your food; don't play with matches; don't suck your thumb... All great lessons, beautifully illustrated and cleverly told!
Love this book.......2006-07-02
RE: "Having been raised with this book and terrified by it sixty years ago, I cannot recommend it as a child-rearing tool for the new millenium. I would hope that the parents of today would have developed better ways of socializing and civilizing their children."
I have to disagree. Parents of today obviously have not developed a better way of socializing and civilizing their childen. kids are crazy, rude, obnoxious and don't care about manners anymore these days. Adults have no control over their kids because of what you CAN'T do or say to your kids. Instill fear on kids again. It worked for me and it worked or my kid. This book has been handed down from generation to generation in our family. None of us ever got in trouble and we have learned respect for ourselves and others. Take a look at the kids of today. They are your future. Scarey, isn't it? You may want to reconsider your thinking.
Dr. Schneider, Leipzig, Germany.......2005-08-06
As I just wanted to redeem a gift certificate and on this line looking for some books written in German I found Der Struwwelpeter that has been one of may be the best books to teach me as child like later as father to educate my 3 children. Meanwhile, each of them are living in his/her own families...together with their children and Der Struwwelpeter...That's great.
Student.......2003-04-06
I am a American student learning German as my second language. My German teacher recently purchased this book and I thought it was wonderful!! It's a good book to read to children and it makes me not want to play with fire! :) I can't understand every word in the book because I'm only in my second year of learning German but what I can read of it is great! When I am older, much older, I hope to teach my child/children english and german at the same time. I also plan to read this book to them. Having children is a FAR way off but it's a plan! And don't worry about me talking about children because I plan to be married and 26 or 27 when that happens! lol.
Der Strwwelpeter.......2001-09-03
This is a classic German children's book. My parents read this to me when I was a child; it was one of my favorite books. The book teaches children about manners. It teaches you that when you do something wrong, there are consequences. Der Struwwelpeter was originally written about 150 years ago.
Book Description
Ranging from macabre fantasies to fairy tales and tales of crime, these stories from the author of The Nutcracker create a rich fictional world. Hoffman paints a complex vision of humanity, where people struggle to establish identities in a hostile, absurd world.
"The editors have made an excellent selection, and the result is a book of great distinction."—Denis Donoghue, New York Review of Books
"The translators have proved fully equal to all the challenges of Hoffmann's romantic irony and his richly allusive prose, giving us an accurate and idiomatic rendering that also retains much of the original flavor."—Harry Zohn, Saturday Review
Average customer rating:
- One of the best secular Christmas books available
|
The Nutcracker/Pop-Up Dimensional Storybook
E. T. A. Hoffmann ,
Fay Angus , and
Michael Welply
Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster (Juv)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0671686178 |
Customer Reviews:
One of the best secular Christmas books available.......2006-03-07
This classic tale is well told with captions that can be made to pop up by moving something. Children will be delighted with the detail of the captions, as they have several layers that give a true three-dimensional appearance. There are many different items that can be manipulated; one must look very closely to find them all. The text is at the level of the middle school student, so it must be read to young children if they are to enjoy it. All illustrations are of very high quality, with many shades of color to create a maximum contrast. It is one of the best secular Christmas books for children that is available.
Average customer rating:
|
Slovenly Peter: Or Pretty Stories and Funny Pictures for Little Children
Heinrich Hoffmann
Manufacturer: Amereon Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0848813693 |
Customer Reviews:
Reality's dark dream..........2005-07-11
RE Tieck: Stupendous masterpieces !!!! Tieck's Phantasus, wow !!! Ludwig Tieck is a genius of highest order - this stuff is supreme German gothic dark romantic. Mind-boggling & spirit crushing hard-core stories that delve darkly into the unconscious; paranoia, retribution, the mind-destroying power of nature, dreams, spells of enchantment, madness...
Exquisite dark words of magic and vision; insane depth hidden, disguised as "fairy-tales" !!
Highly unique; pure genius !!!, A hundred million stars....
(unfortunately I don't speak German; Tieck's works are so hard to find in English - I had to search through obscure translations of out of print books in libraries to find some of his tales. What atrocity, what shame, what crime !!!! Translators from German, translate all Tieck's works to English (and all other languages), his tales are world heritage !!! ...in the meanwhile, my fellow seekers, find a copy of Thomas Carlyle's German translations & check out "The Trusty Eckart"...)
Also Heinrich von Kleist & E.T.A. Hoffmann.
Get everything from all these three guys you can find...
You won't regret it. (you won't find "complete works" published in English & sadly there is plenty of neglected gems - e.g. I found Hoffmann's "The Story of Serapion" (wow!!!) in an out-of-print collection called "Great Short Stories of the World"... Also out-of-print is "An Abyss Deep Enough": Kleist's letters & anecdotes; definitelly worth checking out... )
...
I wonder what happened in Germany at that time?? I mean, such splendid dazzling brilliance !!!! What were these guys smoking ???
How could they write such lucid & vivid narrative prose, and with such merciless & brutal intensity, reminiscent of LSD-induced revelations ???
Wow !!
Michael Saidak
Good for starters, good for keepers.......2001-06-10
I have an obession with this moment in cultural history. Unfortunately, I do not speak German, so a lot of the goodies I crave can be hard to come by... As for this little book, the Kleist stories are pretty available, and Hoffmann isn't too too difficult to find, although I, for one, hadn't read these particular stories. It was the Tieck that attracted me to this book, and boy, they are goodies. Anyway, if you are curious about this sort of lore, this is a great place to start, it's diverse and still gives you a general idea of what these kooks were up to. The intro is helpful for the uninitiated, as well. And for advanced players, you get Tieck, who is rarely translated into English for those of us who are too lazy to learn German. If you like moody-gloom 19th Century cheeze, you'll love this stuff, trust me.
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