Grimm Reading

Creepy villains, elderly princesses, troublesome beards - this is not your average fairy tale. In Old Rinkrank, a princess gets imprisoned in a glass mountain by an evil creature and given an unpleasant new name. Will she be able to save herself? And will her fiancé have waited for her? Find out in the penultimate episode of the season! After the story, we attempt to ascend our own glass mountain and identify the tale's place in the canon of folklore, leading us to Poland and Norway where things get, you guessed, nice and weird. ... Linktree Patreon Merch Store Instagram Twitter/X Facebook grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Beethoven's Piano Sonata no. 14 in C#m 'Moonlight', Op. 27 no. 2 - III. Presto // Beethoven's 13 Sonata No. 8 in C Minor Pathétique, Op. 13 - III. Rondo-Allegro

When a horned owl takes up residence in a barn, the townsfolk slowly lose their minds as they try to oust the intruder. Will the townsfolk come to their senses and the owl escape? Or is the owl to meet a grisly end? From owls to algorithms, killer trains to Puerto Rican pirate vessels, this episode takes us on a wild ride through some of the stranger corners of history as we dig into what exactly this story means. ... Linktree Patreon Merch Store Instagram Twitter/X Facebook grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Camille Saint-Saëns' Cello Concerto No. 1 in A Minor, Op. 33 - I. Allegro non troppo // Franz Schubert's Sonata in B Flat Major, D. 960 - IV. Allegro ma non troppo, performed by Paul Pittman

This is the full episode of our latest Grimmflix - a special Patreon series where we review grimmesque movies. We enjoyed it and wanted to share with everyone. In this episode of Grimmflix, we review the 1987 cult classic movie, The Princess Bride. Will Adam love it? Was it worth the wait? We share our thoughts on the movie before awarding our Grimms. We then explore the making of the film and share some behind-the-scenes stories, thanks to Cary Elwes' memoir, As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride. For more episodes of Grimmflix, and other special episodes and perks, check  out our Patreon. And you can also join in on our Princess Bride book club too! ... Linktree Merch Store Instagram Twitter/X Facebook grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Also Sprach Zarathustra, by Richard Strauss Other music: Chopin's Valse No. 6 in D flat major, Op. 64, No. 1 ('Minute' Waltz)

A king is dying. But which of his three sons shall inherit the kingdom? There’s only one way to decide… Things get sluggardly and etymological in this episode as we read The Three Sluggards by The Brothers Grimm. After the story, before we know what’s hit us we’re discussing everything from Sussex slang words, slugs, our old friend Straparola, and Kim Jong Un. ... Linktree Patreon Merch Store Instagram Twitter/X Facebook grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Duchess Anna Amalia of Brunswick-Wolfenbuttel's Erwin and Elmire: Overture. Peter Gulke, conductor.  

When a farmer grows a giant turnip and is rewarded by the king, his jealous brother plots to murder him. How will he escape his assassins? And does the titular turnip have anything to do with the plot? Find out in this episode, where we read The Turnip by the Brothers Grimm! After the story, we're led across a world of culture - from Pulp Fiction to Serbian hip-hop to the UK's obsession with giant vegetables. If you want to grow your own giant veg along with us, check out giantvegseeds.com. And here's a link to Rep Repa, for your listening pleasure. Patrons, don't forget to vote for the series finale! ... Linktree Patreon Merch Store Instagram Twitter/X Facebook grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Dvorak's String Quintet No. 3 in E-flat Major // Rokeri s Moravu's Rep Repa

Reynard is back in action and using his wits for good, unless you're a lion... When an old horse is abandoned by its owner and given an impossible task, Raynard the fox summons all his wiles in aid of the horse's plight.  After the story, we explore several other fables of foxes and horses, taking us from the summit of French high literature to a humble stable in the Isle of Skye, Scotland, to see just how widespread this story once was.  ... Linktree Patreon Merch Store Instagram Twitter/X Facebook grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: The second movement of Maurice Ravel's String Quartet, played by string players of the United States Army Band

Can a charlatan doctor solve a case of missing money? Join us for this week's story Dr Know-All, which somehow features crabs, an ABC book, a man in a stove, and some spectacular failing upwards... This spins out into a discussion of other similar stories from around the world, culminating in the medieval Indian tale of Harrisaman (FKA Froggie)... ... Linktree Patreon Merch Store Instagram Twitter/X Facebook grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Brahms' Trio in A Minor, Op. 114 - I. Allegro performed by Paul Pitman, Michael Arnold & Bang-Eun Lee //  Brahms' 8 Piano Pieces, Op. 76 - 5. Capriccio. Agitato, ma non troppo Presto (C♯ minor) performed by Luis Sarro // Brahms' 4 Piano Pieces, Op. 119 - 2. Intermezzo in E minor performed by Peter Bradley-Fulgoni

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No! It’s a squadron of flying gnomes. Join us for this week’s story The Gnome - a tale of brotherly betrayal, multi-headed dragons, magic flutes, and cheeky little helpers. After the story, we have a short history of gnomes, from Roman smut to Pink Floyd and beyond... ... Linktree Patreon Merch Store Instagram Twitter/X Facebook grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 2: Finale, Bernd Glemser, piano, Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, Antoni Wit, conductor //  Tchaikovsky's Waltz in F sharp minor, no. 9 from Op. 40

Merry Christmas to one and all! Join us for another end of year party at Grimm Castle, where we delve deep into The Nutcracker And The Mouse King, almost completely losing our minds. We then sober up with a special surprise short story, featuring some unlikely characters… So join us for a cracker, a mince pie, spiced wine, gifts, and merriment a-plenty at this year’s Grimm Reading Christmas party.  ... Linktree Patreon Merch Store Instagram Twitter/X Facebook grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music:  Tchaikovsky's" Dance Of The Flutes" and "Russian Dance" from The Nutcracker Suite from the music.org European Archive // Sergei Prokofiev - Lieutenant Kije Suite: Troika, performed by Sao Paulo Symphony Orchestra // Tchaikovsky's "Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy" from The Nutcracker Suite performed by Kevin Macleod

For one last time, the Devil's grandma is back. After three soldiers desert the army, they make a bargain with the Devil for their souls. After seven fun-filled years, the Devil arrives to claim his debt. But perhaps Grandma can offer our unlikely heroes a helping hand... Riddles, dragons and magic whips - join us for The Devil And His Grandmother. We also talk dragons in the bible, and explore the fascinating legend of Faust and the Faustian pact, through Marlowe to Goethe. ... Linktree Patreon Merch Store Instagram Twitter/X Facebook grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Demersseman's Solo de Concert no. 4, Op. 80 // Chopin's Étude Op. 10, no. 5 in G flat major - 'Black Keys' // Chopin's Nocturne in C sharp minor 'Lento con gran espressione', B. 49 (Op. posth.) // Wagner's Faust Overture

In this interview episode, we talk to author and poet Clare Pollard about her latest novel: The Modern Fairies. Set in the Paris and Versailles of Louis the XIV, the novel drops us into the heart of Madame D’Alnouy’s illustrious, raucous, and radical salon. It's "Disney meets Dangerous Liaisons" and a brilliant, cosy read. We talk to Clare about fairy tales, writing, salons, audiobooks and plenty more besides.  Discover Clare's writings through her website. You can also subscribe to her Substack and follow her on Instagram.  And treat yourself to a copy of The Modern Fairies while you're at it. ... Linktree Patreon Merch Store Instagram Twitter/X Facebook grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko

Adam's Christmas comes early as we find ourselves in an enchanted cat castle in this week's Grimm story.  When an old miller challenges his apprentices to find the best horse, one befriends a cat who promises to help. But is she more than she seems? After the story, we find ourselves in early-modern Paris where we meet fairy tale behemoth Madame D'Aulnouy. We hear of her extraordinary life as well as a short version of her related story, The White Cat.  ... Linktree Patreon Merch Store Instagram Twitter/X Facebook grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Liszt's Waltz aus dem Ballet Die Amazonen // Leroy Anderson's The Waltzing Cat, performed by Markus Staab // Schumann's Scenes from Childhood, Op. 15 - III. Blind Man's Buff, performed by Donald Betts

We take on Donkey Cabbages - one of the most bizarre and barmy tales we've heard in a while. Not only do we get witches, giants and magic clouds, we also discover a new concept - the minimal counterintuitive hypothesis. What makes a story stick? Some scientists think they've found the answer... We then briefly look at man-donkeys in storytelling, say hi to Shakespeare, and meet the long-forgotten German folkhero Fortunatus. Here's a link to the paper we discuss in the episode: Memory and Mystery: The Cultural Selection of Minimally Counterintuitive Narratives ... Linktree Patreon Merch Store Instagram Twitter/X Facebook grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Grieg's Holberg Suite, from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston // Massenet's Toccata Jules Massenet, performed Jean Dube

It’s getting spooky in the castle as we read Baba Yaga and the Brave Youth.   Will our hero escape the clutches of our favourite Slavic witch? Why does Baba Yaga love spoons so much? And has she secretly been a mother all along?   Join us round the fire to find out all this and more. Happy Halloween everyone!   Linktree Patreon Merch Store Instagram Twitter/X Facebook grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Rachmaninoff's Canon in E Minor, performed by Luis Kolodin // Rachmaninoff's String Quartett No. 2 performed by Steve Jones // Rachmaninoff's Etudes-Tableaux Op. 39 performed by Peter Bradley-Fulgoni // Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D minor

We’re back with a brand new series and a brand new volume of tales... And we begin with The Four Skillful Brothers, a story of masterly thievery, improbable astronomy, dastardly dragons, and a man who sews up eggs. After the story, we explore its origins before doing a deep dive on dragons: including the history of rescuing princesses from dragons in storytelling, and a patriotic stretch where we look into the Welsh red dragon and the story of St. George. We can’t wait to get stuck into Volume 2; thanks for sticking around! Linktree Patreon Merch Store Instagram Twitter/X Facebook grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Dvorak's Romance for violin and piano, performed by Goldstein and M Pavel // Schubert's Fantasy in C Major Op.15 D.760 'Wanderer' - I. Allegro con fuoco

We have our winner! Step on into the castle for a glitzy awards night where we reveal the Grimmbledon champion, as well as the results of the Special Awards. Thank you so much to everyone who's listened and taken part. We're away now for the rest of the summer. Click here to pick up a copy of our special Aladdin episode to see you through the hot (northern) summer days, otherwise we'll meet again round the fire for the Grimms' Volume 2 later in the year! As always, keep it grimm. Twitter Facebook Instagram Patreon   grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4, op. 58, G major (1st movement, allegro moderato), performed by Debbie Hu // Brahms' Waltz op. 39, No. 15, performed by Paul Cantrell 

Find out which four stories survived the Semi-Finals and made it to the finals! Voting for the final is live right now. Cast your vote here: https://forms.gle/xkvy8aVEd9EH4qkT9  Or visit www.grimmreading.wordpress.com/final In the episode, we also read out voters' comments with their reasoning for their choices. And we launch a final Special Awards Poll. It's all go here as we ramp up for the final! We'll be back soon to crown a champion. In the meantime, keep it grimm! Twitter Facebook Instagram Patreon   grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music:  Beethoven's Sonata No. 8 in C Minor Pathétique, Op. 13 - III. Rondo - Allegro 1

The time has arrived to finish off the Grimms’ Children’s Legends, and in this episode we hear the four remaining stories: The Twelve Apostles, Poverty And Humility Lead to Heaven, The Heavenly Wedding, and The Hazel Branch. We again do our best to parse the piety and manage the misery, and rate them out of 10. Still one day left to vote in Semi-Final 2. Link here: https://forms.gle/TjJnhyuZ3uVKEvrRA Twitter Facebook Instagram Patreon   grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Brahms' Piano Sonata no. 3 in Fm, Op. 5 - I. Allegro maestoso, performed by Luis Sarro 

It's the second (and last) of the Semi-Finals. Re-discover the sweeping and strange histories of the four competing stories and then cast your vote!  Semi-Final 2 voting link: https://forms.gle/TjJnhyuZ3uVKEvrRA Battling it out are the tales: The Two Brothers The Valiant Little Tailor The Fisherman And His Wife The Elves And The Shoemaker The top two tales from the poll will secure themselves a place in the Grand Final. Twitter Facebook Instagram Patreon   grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Brahms' Cello Sonata Cello Sonata No.1, Op.38, performed by Colliard and Ligoratti

It's the first of the two Grimmbledon Semi-Finals, where four of the stories that survived the Group Stage are battling it out for a place in the Grand Final... Semi-Final 1 voting poll link: https://forms.gle/DeeZ9bpmxsMUFDJ86 After recapping the stories in the Group Stage, this episode we delve a little deeper into some background information, ATU types, and related tales, to help inform your decisions. The top two tales from the poll will secure themselves a place in the Grand Final... so vote carefully! Twitter Facebook Instagram Patreon   grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Brahms' Variations on a Theme by Joseph Haydn Op. 56b Var. VII performed by Neal O'Doan