H. C. Andersen
Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875) was a Danish author, celebrated worldwide as one of the greatest writers of fairy tales in history. His stories have been translated into more than a hundred languages and have become part of the shared imagination of childhood across the globe.
Andersen wrote over 150 fairy tales, including 'The Little Mermaid,' 'The Ugly Duckling,' 'The Emperor's New Clothes,' 'The Snow Queen,' 'Thumbelina,' and 'The Little Match Girl.' Unlike traditional folk tales, most were his own original creations, and beneath their magic they carry deep emotional truth — about longing, loss, kindness, and the pain of being different.
Born poor in provincial Denmark, Andersen rose to international fame, though a sense of the outsider — captured perfectly in 'The Ugly Duckling' — runs through much of his work. He also wrote novels, plays, and travel books.
His tales are simple in style but rich in feeling. Our editions present them clearly and beautifully. Read a tale free, and read or listen with a membership.
H. C. Andersen in the library · 3 works
Andersen's Fairy Tales
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Audiobooks by H. C. Andersen
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Frequently asked questions about H. C. Andersen
What did Hans Christian Andersen write?
Andersen is famous above all for his fairy tales — more than 150 of them, including 'The Little Mermaid,' 'The Ugly Duckling,' 'The Emperor's New Clothes,' 'The Snow Queen,' 'Thumbelina,' and 'The Little Match Girl.' He also wrote novels, plays, poems, and travel writing. It is his original fairy tales that made him immortal.
Where should I start with Andersen?
Start with his most famous tales — 'The Ugly Duckling,' 'The Little Mermaid,' 'The Emperor's New Clothes,' and 'The Snow Queen.' Each is short, moving, and complete in itself, so you can read one at a time. They are beloved by children but hold real depth for adult readers too.
Are Andersen's tales the same as the Disney versions?
Often quite different. Disney's 'The Little Mermaid,' for example, has a happy ending, while Andersen's original is far more bittersweet and poignant. His tales are frequently more emotionally complex and darker than their film adaptations, which is part of their lasting power. Reading the originals reveals the true depth of his stories.
Did Andersen write original stories or retell folk tales?
Unlike the Brothers Grimm, who mostly collected existing folk tales, Andersen invented most of his stories himself. Tales like 'The Ugly Duckling,' 'The Little Mermaid,' and 'The Emperor's New Clothes' are his own original creations. This makes him not just a collector but one of the great original storytellers.
Are Andersen's fairy tales just for children?
They are loved by children, but they were never only for children. Beneath their simple, magical surfaces, Andersen's tales explore loneliness, longing, social pretension, mortality, and the pain of being an outsider. Adult readers often find them far more moving and profound than they remembered.
When did Hans Christian Andersen live?
Andersen was born in Denmark in 1805 and died in 1875. He began publishing his fairy tales in the 1830s and continued for decades, becoming internationally famous in his own lifetime. Born into poverty, he rose to be celebrated across Europe.
Where can I read Andersen for free?
Andersen's fairy tales are in the public domain and freely available in many translations. Older versions keep the traditional text. Here you can read a tale free in clear modern English, and read or listen with a membership.
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