Grimm Reading

Greetings from a grim meadow! Massive constitutional changes are afoot in this special episode as we share our roundup of the winners and losers of series 3 for the first time for non-Patrons. We then share a piece of deleted audio from our Little Snow White recording - the incredible connection between Snow White and the siege of Troy. Finally we're pleased to announce our new Grimm Reading Spotify playlists: Series 1 Grimm Reading Soundtrack Series 2 Grimm Reading Soundtrack Series 3 Grimm Reading Soundtrack And please do check out the excellent Stories From Lore podcast. Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Komiko.

It’s the series 3 finale so it’s time for a big one - settle in for an epic adventure as we read Little Snow White!

 Filicide, attempted cannibalism, talking mirrors, seven little helpers, a very poisonous apple - it’s the story you know and love but even more unpleasant and violent. Chatting with her mirror, a queen learns that her step-daughter has grown more beautiful than she is. So she decides to kill her and eat the girl's heart. But Little Snow White escapes and finds shelter in a strange cottage, home to seven unexpected tenants. When the queen discovers Snow White is alive, she beings to weave dastardly plots, determined to put an end to Snow White for good. After the story we ask the important questions, including why would you drink wine from a mug? And is Snow White really a shoe? We then compare the story with other incarnations of the folktale, speculate on the validity of the “real-life” Snow White, hear tell of the incredible connection to Alan Turing, and finally explore the true meaning

In Hans Married, Hans’s uncle decides to take matters into his own hands and get his nephew a wife. With his cunning, fool-proof method for securing a bride, Hans miraculously gets engaged to a rich peasant’s daughter. How does he do it? And will it all end happily ever after? Find out in the final installment of the Hans Saga, our penultimate episode of Series 3.   

It’s a quick, punchy story this week so we also read out lots of listeners messages, and take the opportunity to choose the opening stories of Series 4 and finally launch a new Patron Story Poll.   Listen to previous episodes in the Hans Saga: Hans In Luck
 Clever Hans -- Twitter Facebook Instagram Patreon   grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Brahms' Violin Concerto, Op.77 Performed by Henryk Szerng & Orchestre National de France

Hans is back! In his first starring role since the pilot episode, we follow Hans as he attempts to woo Gretel by demanding presents from her. Will Hans get the girl of his dreams? Or will it all end with some livestock losing their eyes? And how is this story related to quantum physics? Find out all this and more, as we slip into a the nightmare groundhog day that is Clever Hans by the Brothers Grimm. After the story, we try and piece together the shaky Grimm Reading cinematic universe, hear a 15th century version of the tale, and finally dip into the fascinating history of Clever Hans the magical German maths horse. Hear the other stories mentioned in the episode: Hans In Luck Hansel And Gretel Clever Gretel Clever Elsie -- Twitter Facebook Instagram Patreon   grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Grieg's Peer Gynt Suite No. 1, Op. 46 - I. Morning performed by the Czech National Symphony Orchestra // Mendelssohn's Lieder ohne Worte, Op.19b - 3. Molto

Welcome to Extra Grimm, where we delve a little deeper into the world of the Brothers Grimm for the curious. In this episode, we talk to Brothers Grimm expert Jack Zipes. The conversation centers around a particular folk tale type, that of ATU 325 “The Magician And His Apprentice”. The interview starts with Jack recalling how his journey into this tale type all started with wondering why the Harry Potter series has achieved such phenomenal success. Eventually, he concluded that it’s because it’s really a gigantic version of “The Magician And His Apprentice.” From this bombshell opening, we discuss Richard Dawkins concept of memes as well as why fairy tales are so important, Hegel's theory of dialectics, and how ATU 325 is perhaps one of the most important tales in the history of oral storytelling. Fortunately, we have already done one of the Grimm’s two stories of this type - you can hear our episode The Thief And His Master here. (highly recommended background homework for this episode!) You can pick up

While out on his daily rounds, a poor fisherman nets an enchanted fish prince. When his wife hears how he let the fish go, she demands he return and ask the fish to give them a cottage. Things then escalate fast, as the fisherman's wife gets a taste for the property market and chases a career in politics.  Will they be content with their lot, or will greed see them fall to their ruin? Find out all this and more in the absolutely massive tale, The Fisherman and His Wife. After the story we discuss it's meaning and form, including the idea of an anti-fairy and the shadow of Napoleon Bonaparte. The Grimms then lead us back to our old friend Shakespeare, and finally we learn about the legend of Pope Joan thanks to our pod-friends Pontifacts. Twitter Facebook Instagram Patreon   grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Ravel's Miroirs - III. Une barque sur l'ocean performed by Robert Ewen Birchall // Byrd's Mass for Four Voices - I. Kyrie Eleison performed by

As a penniless woodcutter’s health fades, he leaves his three sons the only things he has in the world - a cat and scythe and a cock. To find fortune, he instructs them to seek out a country in which these things are unknown. One by one the sons head out into the wide world with their gifts. But, when the final son finds himself on an island plagued by mice and rats, the inhabitants get more than they bargained for. Will they make their fortune? And can you use a cannon for everything? Find out all this and more in The Three Sons of Fortune.  After the story, the Grimm’s lead us down the rabbit hole where we meet the famous English folk hero Dick Whittington and delve into the history of Dick Whittington and his cat. Finally, deep in the rabbit hole, we find ourselves exploring the history of pantomime and its roots in the ancient world. Hey, someone had to do it. Twitter Facebook Instagram Patreon   grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Beethoven's Vi

When the family cook plots to kill a foundling boy, his adoptive sister comes to the rescue and the two take flight, shapeshifting their way out of danger. The cook deploys her henchmen to hunt them down but when they fail, she waddles after them herself for a final showdown. Who will emerge victorious? Find out in this week’s tale, Fundevogel (aka Fledgling)! After the story, we talk similarities to other tales, shapeshifting Jesus news, and then squeeze in an extra Russian fairy tale where at long last we have the pleasure of welcoming Baba Yaga to Grimm Castle. Twitter Facebook Instagram Patreon   grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Bach's English Suite no. 3, BWV 808 performed by Radek Materka // Sergei Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto no. 3, Op. 30 - III. Finale: Alla breve performed by Sinfonia of Leeds

Talking dead fingers, aggressive domestic appliances, and a devil under a duvet - prepare yourself for the madness that is the Brothers Grimm's "The Godfather". In this utterly bizarre story we have essentially a mashup of two Grimm stories we've heard before, namely - Godfather Death and The Strange Feast. Is this hybrid version better than the originals or a step too far? Twitter Facebook Instagram Patreon   grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Hear Matt's recital of The Godfather Theme. Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Two versions of Tchaikovsky's Sentimental waltz no. 6 from Op. 51: firstly, a piano and cello arr. with Elizaveta Sushchenko on cello; secondly, a piano version performed by Peter Bradley-Fulgoni // Chopin's Polonaise No. 6 in A flat major, Op. 53   

Finding himself alone in a forest, a musician decides to play his fiddle and entice a human friend. Before long, several animals approach and ask for music lessons. On gaining their trust, the musician cruelly entraps them and wanders on. Eventually the animals escape and together plot revenge. Will they have their justice? And where exactly does this musician get off? Find out in this week’s episode, The Wonderful Musician (aka The Strange Musician). Twitter Facebook Instagram Patreon   grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Beethoven's Violin Concerto in D Major Op. 61 - III. Rondo: Allegro performed by the US Marine Chamber Orchestra

In Clever Gretel, a free-wheeling cook throws a party for herself at her master's expense. After she’s eaten all his chicken and drunk all his wine, Gretel’s master returns home ready for dinner… But our clever heroine plays those above her like a fiddle, and easily gets herself out of trouble. Join us as we try to dissect the mayhem and enjoy a story from The One Thousand and One Nights (aka The Arabian Nights). Twitter Facebook Instagram Patreon   grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Chopin's Etude Op. 25 no. 8 in D flat major - 'Sixths' // Beethoven's Sonata No. 8 in C Minor 'Pathétique' // Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade: The Young Prince and the Princess

When the King decides to celebrate the birth of his daughter by sentencing his twelve sons to death, the boys flee to live a feral life in the woods where they vow to kill any maiden they meet.  A decade later, the Princess vows the rescue her brothers and she heads out into the forest. But things take a turn for the worse when she accidentally turns them all into birds and a foreign king carries her off to another land...  Will she ever rescue her brothers? Why does she have a golden star on her forehead? And can snakes survive in boiling oil? We answer all these questions and more in this week's episode: The Twelve Brothers. This episode is Certified Grimm and may not be suitable for all listeners. Twitter Facebook Instagram Patreon   grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Brahms' Serenade No.1 in D major Op.11 - VI. Rondo - Allegro and String Quartet No.1 in C minor Op.51, No.1 - IV. Allegro from the European Archive

Happy Grimm new year! We’re kicking things off with a surprise story – the one and only Puss in Boots.  When the family cat suddenly demands a pair of boots, a poor young miller spends his last few coins granting the cat's wish. A idiotic whim or the investment of a lifetime? Join us on the classic adventure of Puss in Boots, where we see our furry hero outsmarting, outwitting and outdressing everyone who comes in his path! We then hear about the many guises of puss in boots from the global oral folk tradition, before embarking on a trip through the canals of time as we see 'Her Pussyship' develop as a literary character, from late-medieval Venice to Antonio Banderas. Finally, we reveal the results of our last story poll and launch the first poll of 2021. Twitter Facebook Instagram Patreon   grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Liszt's 2 Waltzes S.126b 1 and 2  performed by Mauro Tortorelli // Leroy Anderson's The Waltzing Cat performed by Markus Sta

Join us for the third annual Grimm Reading Christmas Party! We've got gifts, port, cracker jokes and festive fare for all, before Adam reads us the truly epic Irish fairy tale 'The Christmas Cuckoo'. And finally, we reveal the winner of our competition and some plans for next year. Thank you so much to everyone for listening, messaging, and supporting us in various ways - especially our wonderful patrons. And thanks to Pook Press for collaborating with us for the 2020 competition. You can join us for more Christmas fun in the fable stable podcast, otherwise stay safe and we'll see you in the new year. Keep it Grimm! Twitter Facebook Instagram Patreon   grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko (+ sleigh bells) Other Music: Tchaikovsky's "Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy" from The Nutcracker Suite Performed by Gabriel Antonio Hernandez Romero on Piano // Tchaikovsky's "The Magical Castle in the Kingdom of Sweets" and "The Christmas Tree" from The Nutcracker Suite - from th

A magic well, a prickly spindle, talking bread, and snowy beds - this week’s tale is our latest patron story poll winner, Mother Holle (Frau Holle)! An evil step-mother and wicked step-sister force a young maiden into a parallel universe. When she reaches an enchanting cottage, she finds a scary old lady waiting. Will she pass the test of Mother Holle? And what will her nasty family do if she returns? After this festive tale, we hear from German listeners about what Mother Holle means to them to today, and we trace Holle’s origins all the way to her ancient roots as a pagan goddess. Our competition is still in full swing too! Let us know which story you think deserves a different score and you could win some awesome prizes! Story leaderboard: https://grimmreading.podbean.com/p/2020-competition-story-scores/  Pook Press bookshop: http://ow.ly/7VRY50Bau0z  Twitter Facebook Instagram Patreon   grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Vivaldi's Four Season

In Jorinda and Joringel, young love is cruelly interrupted when an evil witch kidnaps Jorinda, forcing Joringel into a lonely shepherding career. But will a prophetic dream provide him with the means to rescue his beloved from the witch's castle, or is Jorinda doomed forever? Join us as we tumble down rabbit holes, exploring ancient myths, sad birds, and vampires.  Our competition is still in full swing too! Let us know which story you think deserves a different score and you could win some awesome prizes! Story leaderboard: https://grimmreading.podbean.com/p/2020-competition-story-scores/  Pook Press bookshop: http://ow.ly/7VRY50Bau0z  Twitter Facebook Instagram Patreon   grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4 1st, 2nd and 3rd movements performed by Debbie Hu 

In Fitcher's Bird (aka Fowler's Fowl), we join an evil wizard as he kidnaps pretty girls, takes them to his fancy pad, and puts them to the test. But this sick sorcerer get's more than he bargained for with our plucky, clucky, and crafty heroine.  We talk serial killing folklore, egg metaphors, and finally dip our toes into the creepy world of the infamous Bluebeard! This episode is certified Grimm and may not be suitable for all listeners. Our competition is still in full swing too! Let us know which story you think deserves a different score and you could win some awesome prizes! Story leaderboard: https://grimmreading.podbean.com/p/2020-competition-story-scores/  Pook Press bookshop: http://ow.ly/7VRY50Bau0z  Twitter Facebook Instagram Patreon   grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Beethoven's sonata for violin and piano No. 7 in C minor, Op. 30, No. 2, Finale, performed by Corey Cerovsek (violin) and Paavali Jumppanen (piano) // Jules Massenet's

A long time in the making, we are delighted to present our super special biography of the Brothers Grimm!
 From humble beginnings to super professor stardom, we follow the brothers as they traipse across Germany in a tumultuous time of war and instability. Please don your history hats and settle by the fire as we embark on our biggest adventure yet, somehow starting in ancient Rome and landing squarely in 21st century.  Chapter index: Once Upon a Time (04:08) University and the Magic Horn (14:24) Occupation and Fairy Tales (19:16) German Liberation (28:43) Peace and Publishing (36:15) Gottingen and Exile (47:21) Berlin and a Dictionary (55:24) For more information on some of the topics covered, we couldn’t recommend these podcasts more highly: Rex Factor, Totalus Rankium, Pontifacts, and The History of English Podcast. Our competition is still in full swing! Let us know which story you think deserves a different score and you could win some awesome prizes! Story leaderboard: https://bit.ly/3j7S3W7 

After a princess insults her suitors, her angry father forces her marry a singing fiddler and she's plunged into a life of poverty. But will their new crockery start-up save them from hunger and plight? And how many plot holes can a story have before it stops making sense? Find out in our latest tale King Thrushbeard, where we learn why princesses need to do what they're told, which bird has the most crooked beak, and what exactly Shakespeare and Henry VIII have to do with it all. Our competition is still in full swing too! Let us know which story you think deserves a different score and you could win some awesome prizes! Story leaderboard: https://grimmreading.podbean.com/p/2020-competition-story-scores/  Pook Press bookshop: http://ow.ly/7VRY50Bau0z  Twitter Facebook Instagram Patreon   grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Brahms' “Rhapsody in B minor” - Op. 79 No. 1 performed by Muriel Nguyen Xuan // Brahms' Schicksalslied, Op. 54 performed by MIT

We’re back for series 3! When a petulant princess loses her golden ball, an overly friendly frog comes to the rescue. But when he tries to hop in her bed the princess has other ideas. Another classic story brought to you by Grimm Reading, but this is not the tale you think you know! Who is iron Henry? Why isn’t he the frog prince? And where is that famous froggy kiss? Discover the answers to all this and more, in our opening episode The Frog King. We’ve also launched a competition!  Here’s our story leaderboard: https://grimmreading.podbean.com/p/2020-competition-story-scores/ And you can sign up to Pook Press's newsletter and see their bookshop here: http://ow.ly/7VRY50Bau0z  And here's a link to the Jingle Bells video Adam mentioned: https://bit.ly/3i7uLPF  Twitter Facebook Instagram Patreon   grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Chopin's Opus 32 No. 2 in A flat Major performed by Willem Wim // Chopin's Etude Op. 10, no. 8 in F major // Debussy's C