Fairy Tales

Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tales open worlds in which an ordinary object, an animal or an overlooked person can become the centre of attention. The familiar and the marvellous exist close together, allowing a change of perspective to reveal feelings that daily habits might conceal. Wonder does not remove disappointment or make every desire easy to fulfil. Andersen's storytelling combines vivid situations with an interest in vulnerability, pride and the wish to belong. Humour may appear beside sadness, and the voice of a seemingly insignificant character can question the values of those who feel secure. The imaginative setting gives emotional experience a form that remains accessible without becoming simple. This collection invites readers to follow stories whose meanings can change as different details come into focus. Their interest lies in the relationship between outward appearances and inner lives, encouraging attention to the consequences of vanity, generosity and the way one being responds to another.