Nutcracker and Mouse-King Paperback - 2017

All day on Christmas Eve in 1816, Marie and Fritz Stahlbaum have been eagerly anticipating the marvelous gifts they are sure to receive, just as in years past.

But this year, scheming Godfather Droszelmeier has something else in mind. When he presents Marie a very odd but very special gift, she finds herself swept into a puzzling prophecy involving a fierce battle between dolls and mice, a strangely vivid fairy-tale, nightly visitations by a sinister presence, and a fantastical journey through a magical realm.

As Marie sorts out fact from fantasy and dreams from waking life, will she fulfill the prophecy and so discover her true destiny?


The original Christmastime tale of quirky fantasy and magical adventure, E. T. A. Hoffmann's Nutcracker and Mouse-King is the basis of the widely loved holiday ballet The Nutcracker. This unabridged illustrated English edition is perfect for read-aloud to children seven and older.

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This illustrated edition of Nutcracker and Mouse-King is a new translation of E. T. A. Hoffmann's 1816 fantasy masterpiece Nu knacker und Mauseknig, which served as the basis for the famous and beloved holiday-season ballet The Nutcracker.

This translation of Hoffmann's best-known literary work takes on the challenges in restoring the rich detail, rhythm, and content of the original storyline, so often abridged, embroidered, or rewritten in other translations.

Prepared for the 200th anniversary of the work's first publication, this edition is graced with lush original cover art and lovely original chapter-heading illustrations. It includes original translator's annotations that provide depth and insight into the linguistic, historical, and cultural contexts of Hoffmann's world of early 19th Century Prussia.

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A note from the translator:
Please be advised that this edition currently has no authorized e-book or audiobook equivalents. Furthermore, reviews and ratings (favorable and otherwise) of other translations, adaptations, and reproductions of Hoffmann's work may have been erroneously combined by this retailer with those of this work, and vice versa.

Fortunately, this product page's Look Inside feature does correctly link to this book's contents, and thus may prove more helpful to readers wishing to make an informed purchase decision.

Best regards and happy reading!
A. S. Templeton, translator and publisher, Nutcracker and Mouse-King