Hans Christian Andersens tales have always seized the imagination with their blend of simplicity, eccentricity, and charm, but until now readers have had to content themselves with inaccurate retellings and inadequate translations. Now Diana Crone Frank and Jeffrey Frank offer a much-needed modern translation which returns faithfully to the original Danish. In this collection are twenty-two tales that best represent Andersens literary legacy. Here are the classics: The Little Mermaid, The Ugly Duckling, Thumbelisa, and The Princess and the Pea, as well as largely unfamiliar stories like By the Outermost Sea. In their introduction, the Franks explore the writer and his times, placing the enigmatic and often bizarre figure of Andersen among his literary contemporaries, such as Charles Dickens and Soren Kierkegaard. Illustrated with the delicate and beautiful black and white drawings that accompanied the Danish publication, The Stories of Hans Christian Andersen is sure to delight readers of all ages. Note: This synopsis may refer to a different edition of this book.