Thé Tjong-Khing - The Storyteller’s Thirty Most Beautiful Fairytales
Thé Tjong-Khing, the most highly acclaimed illustrator in the Netherlands, realized when he was reading stories to his grandson just how complex fairytales can be. Gottmer commissioned him to compile two books of fairytales, in which he recounted famous tales in his own clear style, with plenty of witty asides.
The Storyteller’s Thirty Most Beautiful Fairytales contains a selection from those two books, ranging from Snow White to Bluebeard. The collection reveals Thé to be not only a gifted storyteller but a sophisticated illustrator of mysterious fairytale scenes, combining as he does a Western eye with oriental precision and a penchant for the spooky to create his intriguing pictures.
Since childhood the artist has had a love of scary stories, which is why he takes such pleasure in illustrating fairytales: danger is always lurking around the corner. In this book the realism and vitality of Thé’s earlier work make room for a gentle naivety and a great sense of tranquillity. The enchanting illustrations, drawn with the innocence of a child and the skill of an adult, ensure that this book of fairytales will be around for many years to come.
Quotes
- ‘Unadorned tales, not too sweet, not too gruesome, and told without any wasted words. A must-have book with three hundred pages.’ – J/M Magazine