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The True Story of Hansel and Gretel

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The True Story of Hansel and Gretel Cover

ISBN13: 9780142003077
ISBN10: 0142003077
Condition: Standard
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Staff Pick

Set during the terrifying days of World War II, Louise Murphy's The True Story of Hansel and Gretel follows a young Jewish brother and sister who are separated from their parents and left wandering in the forest until eventually the village "witch" takes them in. If someone had told me you could combine the Hansel and Gretel fairy tale with a WWII setting, I would not have believed it. But Murphy skillfully weaves together these seemingly disparate themes and creates a unique, heart-wrenching tale that is amazingly well done.
Recommended by Dianah, Powell's City of Books

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

The True Story of Hansel and Gretal
 
In the last months of the Nazi occupation of Poland, two children are left by their father and stepmother to find safety in a dense forest. Because their real names will reveal their Jewishness, they are renamed "Hansel" and "Gretel." They wander in the woods until they are taken in by Magda, an eccentric and stubborn old woman called "witch" by the nearby villagers. Magda is determined to save them, even as a German officer arrives in the village with his own plans for the children.

Combining classic themes of fairy tales and war literature, Louise Murphy’s haunting novel of journey and survival, of redemption and memory, powerfully depicts how war is experienced by families and especially by children. The True Story of Hansel and Gretal tells a resonant, riveting story.

Review:

"Murphy's juxtaposition of fact and fiction, perversion and innocence, makes for chilling reading." Irene Wanner, SFGate

Review:

"A provocative transformation of the classic fairy tale into a haunting survival story set in Poland during WWII, Murphy's second novel (after The Sea Within) is darkly enchanting.... No reader who picks up this inspiring novel will put it down until the final pages, in which redemption is not a fairy tale ending but a heartening message of hope." Publishers Weekly

Synopsis:

A powerful retelling of the famous fairy tale set in Nazi-occupied Poland
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About the Author

Louise Murphy, winner of a Writers Digest Award for formal poetry, is the author of the novel The Sea Within and a book for children, My Garden. She is a regular contributor to numerous literary and poetry journals.

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What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 1 comment:
teek, August 31, 2008 (view all comments by teek)
First of all this book is fascinating in regards to a fairy tale turned into a reality. Second it also is a well-written book in a way that evokes the emotions on what it was like to live in Poland with the Nazis cruetly. Third throughout the novel nature is depicted in such a way that you almost hear the leaves under your feet and the distinct smell of the forest.
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Product Details

ISBN:
9780142003077
Author:
Murphy, Louise
Publisher:
Penguin Books
Location:
New York
Subject:
World war, 1939-1945
Subject:
Children
Subject:
Brothers and sisters
Subject:
Historical - General
Subject:
Historical fiction
Subject:
War stories
Subject:
Domestic fiction
Subject:
Jewish families
Subject:
Holocaust, jewish
Subject:
Jewish fiction.
Subject:
World War, 19
Subject:
Literary
Subject:
Literature-A to Z
Copyright:
2003
Edition Description:
Trade Paper
Series:
Book discussion guides
Series Volume:
no. 1739S
Publication Date:
20030731
Binding:
TRADE PAPER
Grade Level:
from 12
Language:
English
Pages:
320
Dimensions:
8.38x4.98x.66 in. .58 lbs.
Age Level:
from 18
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Related Subjects


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Fiction and Poetry » Literature » A to Z
History and Social Science » American Studies » Popular Culture

The True Story of Hansel and Gretel Used Trade Paper
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$6.95 In Stock
Product details 320 pages Penguin Books - English 9780142003077 Reviews:
"Staff Pick" by ,

Set during the terrifying days of World War II, Louise Murphy's The True Story of Hansel and Gretel follows a young Jewish brother and sister who are separated from their parents and left wandering in the forest until eventually the village "witch" takes them in. If someone had told me you could combine the Hansel and Gretel fairy tale with a WWII setting, I would not have believed it. But Murphy skillfully weaves together these seemingly disparate themes and creates a unique, heart-wrenching tale that is amazingly well done.

by Dianah
"Review" by , "Murphy's juxtaposition of fact and fiction, perversion and innocence, makes for chilling reading."
"Review" by , "A provocative transformation of the classic fairy tale into a haunting survival story set in Poland during WWII, Murphy's second novel (after The Sea Within) is darkly enchanting.... No reader who picks up this inspiring novel will put it down until the final pages, in which redemption is not a fairy tale ending but a heartening message of hope."
"Synopsis" by , A powerful retelling of the famous fairy tale set in Nazi-occupied Poland
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