PSA to all fans of the mythological, fantastical and folkloric: Traversing the expanses of Ancient Greece, medieval Europe and Russia, and pre-colonial India, this well-traveled list of fables and folktales promises to introduce you to known and unknown fables that would widen the scope of your imagination. From Nordic mythology, to reader-friendly adaptations of Chaucer’s “Canterbury Tales”, our curation promises to cater to all ages and their unique literary needs.
Grimm’s Fairy Tales by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm
From the immortal hands of the Brothers Grimm, comes this clothbound collection of the best and most widely adapted set of German fairytales. Composed of over 200 stories, including the famous ‘Rumplestiltskin’, ‘Rapunzel’, ‘Hansel and Gretel’ and ‘The Golden Goose’, Grimm’s fairy tales are not your typical sanitised Disney stories. With evil magic, giants, elves and all manner of strange things, the Grimm brothers occupy the more abnormal territory of fantasy and folklore as opposed to our stereotypically understood “fairytale” or “children’s story”
Fables for All Ages by Abanindranath Tagore
A children’s classic, “A Fable For All Ages” is a collection of famous painter and writer Abanindranath Tagore’s best and most enduring work. The book contains three short stories. Two of these, ‘Booro-Angla’ and ‘Alor-Phulki’, have been adapted from Swedish and French works and modified to fit quintessentially Indian contexts. The third, “Khirer Putul” (“Doll of Kheer”), was borrowed from Adanindranath’s uncle Rabindranath Tagore’s wife’s diary, and has since been a landmark work of Bengali Children’s Literature. Benefiting from his artistic sensibilities, these visual and visceral narratives are worth being read by all ages.
The Canterbury Tales by Peter Ackroyd
Want to read, understand and enjoy Chaucer’s brilliant, raunchy and acerbic tales without having to read, understand and struggle through Chaucerian Middle English? Welcome to Peter Ackroyd’s “Canterbury Tales: A Retelling”. Know all about the brilliance of Chaucer and meet his diverse characters: from chivalrous knights to corrupt physicians and Monks who love to hunt and drink.
Mythos by Stephen Fry
Stephen Fry’s “Mythos” is a retelling that is only performed to make the exhilarating experience of reading Greek Mythology accessible to the common reader. From the very birth of the universe and the tale of Cronos, to fire-stealing Prometheus, and the adventures of Hercules– Fry traverses through the wide expanse of Greek mythological characters and explores essential themes of power, love, betrayal and heroism.
Penguin Book of Norse Myths by Kevin Crossley-Holland
‘Penguin’s Book of 32 Norse Myths’ captures the legacy of Scandinavian mythology and brings us closer to the culture of the great Vikings of yore. Re-telling these myths for the benefit of the modern reader, Kevin Crossley-Holland’s version tells you all about how Odin lost his eye, Thor got his hammer, and much more.
The Fairy Tales of Charles Perrault by Angela Carter
You may not recognise Charles Perrault by his name, but it’d be hard for you to miss his larger- than-life characters. The creator of Little Red-Riding Hood, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and even the famous Puss in Boots, French Perrault’s characters have always been and continue to be part of the wide world of fairy tales. Find their renewed and reanimated forms in the ever-evocative Angela Carter’s adaptation of the classic.
Russian Fairy Tales by Aleksander Afanas’ev
From Pantheon’s Fairy Tale and Folklore Library, comes this comprehensive compendium of some of the very best and representative of Russian Fairy Tales. Treat yourself to folkloric cultures and rich oral traditions beyond your own, and learn about exceptionally Russian characters such as Baba Yaga and Koshchey the Deathless. Collected by Russian ethnographer, Aleksander Afanas’ev, this collection boasts of a world that will be new to many but enjoyable for all.
Pick up an immersive book of fables, myths and tales from any Kunzum store or WhatsApp +91.8800200280 to order. Buy the book(s) and the coffee’s on us.