The Snow Queen

fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen

"The Snow Queen" is a literary fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen. It was first published 21 December 1844 with "The Fir Tree" in New Fairy Tales (Nye Eventyr). It is one of Andersen's longest stories and is divided into seven chapters. It tells the story of a mirror fashioned by demons that is shattered. A piece of the glass enters the eye and the heart of a little boy named Kai. He is carried by the Snow Queen to her palace in the far north. He is rescued by his friend Gerda. His vision and his heart are restored. The story was adapted to movies and television. It is also in the book the land of stories the enchantress returns. The story of Elsa in Frozen which is a famous movie is inspired by this story of Hans Christian Andersen.

"The Snow Queen"
Illustration by Vilhelm Pedersen
AuthorHans Christian Andersen
CountryDenmark
LanguageDanish
CharactersThe Snow Queen
Kai
Gerda
Lapp Woman and a Finn Woman
Flower Lady
Two Ravens
Little Robber Girl
Prince and Princess
Genre(s)Literary fairy tale
Published inNew Fairy Tales
Publication typeFairy tale collection
PublisherC. A. Reitzel
Media typePrint
Publication date21 December 1844
Notable adaptationsThe Snow Quenn (animated movie)

Inspired Works

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  • Walt Disney Animation Studios' Frozen is inspired by "The Snow Queen", although the film's plot deviates from the original fairy tale. Frozen (2013) at the Internet Movie Database

Other websites

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