Stories by Hans Christian Andersen

5b Hans Christian Andersen. Translated by Paul Leyssac. Illustrated by Vilhelm Pedersen. London: Macmillan and Co., 1937.

Notes

Hans Christian Andersen was a Danish author best known for his fairy tales, which have become classics of children's literature around the world. His stories often blend fantasy with deep emotional and moral themes, appealing to both children and adults. Some of his most famous works include “The Little Mermaid,” “The Ugly Duckling,” “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” and “The Snow Queen.” Andersen’s tales are known for their poetic language, bittersweet endings, and themes of transformation, loneliness, and the triumph of the human spirit.

One of his lesser-known stories, “And It’s Quite True” (also translated as “It’s Perfectly True!”), is a short satirical piece that explores how rumors and gossip spread and distort the truth. The story begins with a simple, innocent remark—a hen loses a feather—and as it is passed along from one bird to another, it becomes increasingly exaggerated until it ends as a dramatic tale far removed from the original event. Andersen uses this fable-like story to cleverly criticize how misinformation can quickly spiral out of control, highlighting themes of truth, perception, and the dangers of idle talk. It’s a humorous yet insightful commentary on social behavior that remains relevant even today.

Description

Three quarter read leather with red cloth boards. Five raised bands with gilt lettering in three compartments. Gilt top edge. Marbled endpapers. Like new condition.