Catching up on Classics (and lots more!) discussion

The Nutcracker and the Mouse King is our Old School Classic Group Read for December 2022.

This is the No Spoiler Thread
The Spoiler Thread will open on the 1st.

This early posting of the No Spoiler thread is to discuss any non-plot issues pertaining to the book.

Appropriate Posts can contain:
1. Information about the author.
2. Compare editions/translations.
3. Any historical or background information
4. Are you familiar with this author’s work? Do you have any expectations going into the book?
5. What made you decide to read this book?
6. Any fan fiction that you have read or would like to read? Just link the books.
7. If you loved the book and want others to share in that experience, use this thread to motivate others, again save plot specifics for the Spoiler thread
8. If you hated the book, it would be best to keep that for the spoiler page

I am excited to read this one. I have two unabridged editions: "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King" by E.T.A. Hoffman translated from the German by Major Alex Ewing, London, 1908. found in this anthology

or the Rachel Louis Lawrence version (2018)

I would like to know if this is the full version and a good translation:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list...

Really looking forward to this!

The Rachel Louis Lawrence version that Lynn listed above is on sale on Kindle for $1.99. I grabbed a copy and that is the version I will read.

Thanks for that Sara!

I have this book at home

Is it the same story?

Certainly looks like it would be, Katy.

I got the Penguin edition that contains two versions of the story: Nutcracker and Mouse King and the Tale of the Nutcracker.

The Nutcracker and the Mouse King is the story by E.T.A. Hoffmann which is, I believe, the story we are reading together. Tale of the Nutcracker is a story by Alexandre Dumas. Both are based on the same folk tale.

I mention this not only to point out that this collection exists, for those who may be interested, but also to point out that the story of the Nutcracker is a folk tale and is in the public domain. In other words, there may be several versions of the story available and you may want to take special care to ensure that you are purchasing the one you want.

RJ - Slayer of Trolls wrote: "I got the Penguin edition that contains two versions of the story: Nutcracker and Mouse King and the Tale of the Nutcracker.

The Nutcracker and the Mouse King is the story by [author..."

I love that you mention it is a folktale. I was unsure about that. This helps with the Bingo Square I need!!

I've already come across four different translations, 3 in print, 1 on audible.

Do any of you think one is better than the other?

So far, the one by Louise Encking seems a bit better than the other two.

Sara wrote: "The Rachel Louis Lawrence version that Lynn listed above is on sale on Kindle for $1.99. I grabbed a copy and that is the version I will read."

Thanks, I grabbed it as well.

Katy wrote: "I have this book at home

Is it the same story?"

I love that book version! I read it to my children every Christmas. <3

I read The Nutcracker and the Mouse King by E.T.A Hoffman last year it was a very sweet holiday classic. I loved it so much. I must admit that I haven't read the other adaptations.

Katy wrote: "I have this book at home

"

This year I purchased the one illustrated by Sendak just for continuing the Nutcracker reads. I read the Penguin combination of Hoffman and Dumas over the last two years.

Oh the story of the Nutcracker is one of my favourite thing to read or watch or listen during the Christmas season!!!
Last year I read a retelling of it, The Enchanted Sonata by Heather Dixon. That's my absolute favourite.

But I have to admit that I actually never read the original version from Hoffmann so I am very excited to read it this year!

Do you guys have any favourite retellings or adaptations of it?

Renáta wrote: "...Do you guys have any favourite retellings or adaptations of it?.."

There is this list to look at: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...

This isn’t available at my library if anyone can link me to a free version, that would be awesome!

There is combined edition of the Hoffmann and Dumas versions available for free download on the Internet Archive:

https://archive.org/details/nutcracke...

I would suggest downloading the PDF version, as more likely to be reliable.

(As an aside: your library might have it in one or another collection of E.T.A. Hoffmann's fiction, but I haven't been able to find tables of contents online.

Katy thank you for the list suggestion!
I already found a couple of books I can add to my december reading list.

I read this version Nutcracker It's 135 pages as apposed to 84 of the one at the top of the thread, but it has the same number of pictures (20). I felt this version was too clunky both physically (it's HUGE) and in the text, but it's still a good story.

I read this The Story of a Nutcracker by Alexandre Dumas a few years ago an liked it better. It's 192 pages and has no pictures but the cover is so beautiful with it's bright red and gold foil. It makes me smile when I look at it.

Renáta wrote: "Katy thank you for the list suggestion!
I already found a couple of books I can add to my december reading list."

You are welcome, glad it gave you some reading ideas.

Paula W wrote: "This isn’t available at my library if anyone can link me to a free version, that would be awesome!"

Paula, did you find a copy of this yet? I'm reading it on Hoopla.

I did. I found a pdf version online offered by a university. I’ll be starting this one soon!

Just found a copy at library and started tonight. Hope to finish by Christmas!