Review of THE GOOSE GIRL: A STORY FROM THE BROTHERS GRIMM

Bibliography

Kimmel, Eric. 1995. The Goose Girl: A Story from the Brothers Grimm. Ill. by Robert Sauber. New York, NY: Holiday House. ISBN 0823410749.

Plot Summary

An innocent princess sets out from her homeland to meet her betrothed prince. Accompanied on the journey by her serving maid Margaret, the princess quickly discovers the cruelties of the world when Margaret usurps the princess’s position and presents herself to the prince as his bride. With nowhere to turn, the princess is forced to work herding geese for the king. When the king discovers the true princess in the meadow with the geese, Margaret is compelled to face her misdeeds. She seals her own fate when she is asked how to punish an abusive serving maid and she condemns the maid to a violent death.

Critical Analysis

From “Once upon a time…” until “…happily ever after,” this beautifully illustrated retelling of the Brothers’ Grimm fairy tale is filled with the symbolic characters of traditional lore. Sent to her betrothed by her doting mother, the mild-mannered and kind princess is pushed down by the greedy and self-serving maid, who goes on to deceive all who meet her. But, the caring and paternal king acts quickly to restore justice when the maid’s deception is brought to light. The story is told simply and quickly, but is still filled with details to capture the reader’s imagination. The princess rides Falada, a talking horse who retains his power of speech even after he is put down and his head hung upon a gate. Until it is lost, the princess is protected by a linen handkerchief stained with three drops of her mother’s blood. Finally, throughout the story, Falada echoes his refrain, “If your mother were to see/Her heart would burst with grief for thee.”

These details and many others are richly portrayed in Sauber’s carefully crafted paintings. Each page, a framed work in itself, reflects the events of the story, varying from close-up looks at the characters to wide shots of the action. The regal setting is apparent in the lavishly painted garments and bejeweled royalty and Sauber skillfully captures the expressions appropriate to the archetypal characters. Young readers hearing this story aloud will have no trouble identifying the persecuted princess or the mischievous maid.

Review Excerpts

From Publisher’s Weekly – “…Kimmel revels in the magical, wistful aspects of this fanciful genre.”

From School Library Journal – “The story is propelled by Kimmel's perfect pacing and phrasing and by the vitality of the oil paintings, achieved through a sense of rapid dashes of color, with some scenes having an almost unfinished quality.”