Book Review: THE MYTHOLOGY OF GRIMM: The Fairy Tale and Folklore Roots of the Popular TV Show by Nathan Robert Brown

The Mythology of Grimm: The Fairy Tale and Folklore Roots of the Popular TV Show

by Nathan Robert Brown

Paperback: 368 pages

Berkley Trade (September 30, 2014)

Since its debut in 2011, the hit television show Grimm on NBC has been described as “cop drama—with a twist…a dark and fantastical project about a world in which characters inspired by Grimms’ Fairy Tales exist” (The Oregonian). The show captured the hearts of fans as homicide Detective Nick Burkhardt of the Portland Police and his partner, Detective Hank Griffin, fight to keep the balance between humanity and mythological creatures of the world.

This Fall, author and mythologist, Nathan Robert Brown brings you THE MYTHOLOGY OF GRIMM: The Fairy Tale and Folklore Roots of the Popular TV Show (Berkley Trade Paperback; $16.00; September 30, 2014) to offer fans a deeper insight into the mythological and folklore roots of their favorite show. Brown takes each episode of Grimm as a launching point to talk about the fairy tale that inspired it, from The Big Bad Wolf to Sleeping Beauty, and explores the history and folkloric traditions that come into play during Nick’s incredible investigations.

The book will appeal to fans of Grimm, especially with the fourth premiering this October. But readers who are looking for an accessible guide to fairy tales and folklore will also love the wealth of interesting and little-known facts about some of the world’s best-loved stories (along with some you’ve never heard of!).

Confession! I've never seen an episode of Grimm...I know, right? But I've always wanted too because I have a love of the dark side of fairy tales. What drew me to this book was the added historical background information the author includes about all the things that appear in the TV show.

If you are a history buff or trivia pursuer you are going to love this info packed book of all things Grimm and fairy tale. First you get the history of Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm's lives. I've never read up on these two so it was all new to me. Along with a bit about Charles Perrault (French version of the Grimm brothers and also who we know as Mother Goose) and Joseph Jacobs (English version of the Grimm brothers).

The author then covers all the weapons used in the TV series and gives a detailed background on the actual weapons the TV versions were based on. Most of the book then focuses on the actual fairy tales used in the TV show. First there is a retelling of the fairy tale such as Little Red Riding-hood. Then you get history and information about key elements in the fairy tale and then it is compared to the TV show episode about that particular tale.

This book is information overload, but the good kind for those who love it. You don't have to watch the TV show to appreciate this book. Just the love of fairy tale history.

5 "Grimm" Sheep

SharonStogner

About the Author:
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Nathan Robert Brown is an author and mythologist from Texas. He has done extensive research in world mythology, folklore, urban legends, ancient civilizations, and world religions, and is an expert on universal themes in myth, religion, and mysticism. Nathan is also a public speaker and a pro-bono demonology consultant. He is the author of many books, including The Mythology of Supernatural: The Signs and Symbols Behind the Popular TV Show, The Complete Idiot’s Guide to World Mythology, and The Complete Idiot’s Guide to the Paranormal.