East of the Sun and West of the Moon

East of the Sun and West of the Moon presents a collection of Norse folk tales, illustrated by Danish artist Kay Nielsen in 1914. The book contains fifteen stories from Scandinavian mythology and folklore, featuring quests, transformations, and supernatural beings. Nielsen's art style combines Art Nouveau aesthetics with elements of Japanese woodblock prints and medieval manuscripts. The book includes 25 color plates and 21 black-and-white illustrations that accompany the text. The title story follows a peasant girl who embarks on a journey to save an enchanted prince, traveling to a castle that lies east of the sun and west of the moon. Other tales in the collection include "The Three Princesses in the Blue Mountain," "Prince Lindworm," and "The Lad Who Went to the North Wind." The stories explore themes of sacrifice, redemption, and the power of perseverance in the face of supernatural trials. These tales reflect Norse cultural values while touching on universal human experiences and moral challenges.

Readers appreciate Nielsen's detailed Art Nouveau illustrations that capture the Nordic folklore's ethereal qualities. Many reviewers note the intricate linework and muted color palettes create a dreamlike atmosphere matching the story's tone. Positives: - Complex, decorative borders and frames - Balance of light and dark elements - Distinctive character designs - Cultural authenticity in depicting Norwegian settings Negatives: - Some find the text dense and archaic - Price point of collector editions - Limited availability of original prints - Small font size in certain editions Ratings: Goodreads: 4.29/5 (1,247 ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (89 ratings) "The artistry transports you straight into a fairy tale realm" - Goodreads reviewer "Worth it for the illustrations alone" - Amazon reviewer "Text can be challenging for young readers" - LibraryThing review Readers often recommend this as an art book rather than a children's story, with multiple reviews focusing on the visual elements over narrative.

The Blue Fair Book by Andrew Lang This collection contains Nordic folk tales with similar themes of magical transformations and questing princesses found in East of the Sun and West of the Moon.

Tales from the North by Peter Christen Asbjørnsen and Jørgen Moe These Norwegian folk tales feature the same mythological creatures, trolls, and magical beings that populate Nielsen's story world.

The Wild Swans by Hans Christian Andersen A princess must break a curse to save her brothers through a journey that mirrors the determination and sacrifice of Nielsen's heroine.

Beauty and the Beast by Madame de Beaumont This classic tale presents the same core story structure of a young woman who must save a cursed creature through love and perseverance.

Norwegian Folk Tales by Theodor Kittelsen This collection captures the same dark Nordic folklore atmosphere and artistic tradition that Nielsen drew from for his illustrations and storytelling.

✧ Kay Nielsen created the stunning illustrations for this Norwegian folk tale collection in 1914, during what is now known as the "Golden Age of Illustration," alongside contemporaries like Arthur Rackham and Edmund Dulac. ✧ The book's title tale, "East of the Sun and West of the Moon," shares similar themes with "Beauty and the Beast" and "Cupid and Psyche," featuring a young woman who must rescue her love from a curse. ✧ Nielsen's distinctive art style was heavily influenced by Japanese woodblock prints and Art Nouveau, combining delicate lines with bold silhouettes and dramatic use of color. ✧ The original 1914 edition featured 25 color plates and more than 21 black-and-white illustrations, all meticulously reproduced using a four-color process that was cutting-edge for its time. ✧ After the book's publication, Nielsen went on to work for Disney Studios, contributing to the "Night on Bald Mountain" and "Ave Maria" sequences in the 1940 film "Fantasia."