The Snow Queen

This is a new, illustrated translation of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairy story, the story which prompted the mega-success that is Disney’s Frozen. It tells the story of Kai and Gerda, whose simple, contented childhood is shattered when splinters of evil enter Kai’s heart and mind. As a result, he goes off with the Snow Queen, where he becomes captive in her frozen castle, imprisoned in both body and mind. Gerda’s friendship is sorely tested as she overcomes trails and traumas to rescue him. As a novel containing seven stories (or chapters within an over-arching narrative), it’s lengthy for a fairy tale. The complex structure tells stories within the story and so combines Quest and Rebirth genres within the meta-narrative of Overcoming the Monster.

In comparison with contemporary writers, the characterisation is simple. Some of the themes (particularly in the religious context) would be a puzzle to today’s readers, but this translation carefully avoids archaic language (the story is nearly 200 years old) and is accessible to confident readers. Each chapter is enhanced with a full page line illustration. A feral bandit child and a pair of lovesick anthropomorphic crows may not be to everyone’s taste, but these elements are mitigated by the timeless themes of good overcoming evil and the power of friendship.

It’s a book which should be in a class library, not least because fans of Frozen may want to read the tale which inspired the film. As a good example of its kind it has a place, representing one of the greatest tellers of fairy tales of all time.