East of the Sun and West of the Moon: Old Tales from the North

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

30973

Title

East of the Sun and West of the Moon: Old Tales from the North

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

A collection of classic Norwegian folktales featuring magical transformations, brave heroes, and enchanting princesses. Illustrated by Kay Nielsen, these stories blend the supernatural with the realistic to explore themes of love, courage, and the enduring power of tradition.

Summary up to 500 words

East of the Sun and West of the Moon: Old Tales from the North presents a rich tapestry of Scandinavian folklore, originally collected by Peter Christen Asbjørnsen and Jørgen Moe. Illustrated by Kay Nielsen, this volume transforms primitive folk tales into romantic narratives that blend the mundane with the supernatural, serving as the 'romances of the childhood of nations.' The central narrative, 'East of the Sun and West of the Moon,' follows a humble girl who marries a prince cursed to be a white bear by day. Despite her stepmother's witchcraft and the prince's transformation, she remains loyal. When the curse is broken, he is forced to flee to a castle located East of the Sun and West of the Moon to marry a witch with a nose three ells long. The girl pursues him, navigating a perilous journey to rescue her beloved. Another prominent story features Halvor, a poor boy who rescues three princesses from multi-headed trolls guarding Soria Moria Castle. After freeing them, Halvor is tricked by his own parents, who deny him entry upon his return in royal attire. Forced to leave, he embarks on a quest to reclaim his princesses, only to discover they have been swapped by a treacherous witch. He eventually returns to his family, proving his worth and winning the affection of the youngest princess. The collection also includes 'The Soldier in the Subterranean World,' where a soldier trapped underground uses a magical whistle to summon an eagle. By slaughtering oxen for the eagle's meal, he gains the bird's aid to escape and marry a princess. Other tales include 'The Cat on the Dovrefell,' where a white bear defends a cottage from trolls on Christmas Eve, and 'One's Own Children Are Always Prettiest,' a satirical fable about parental bias. Through Nielsen's exquisite illustrations and the original authors' storytelling, these legends offer heroic examples and explore themes of loyalty, transformation, and the intermingling of reality with magic. They stand as imperishable traditions rooted in antiquity, bringing the innermost significance of old-world fables to life.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Folklore
• Fiction