Grimm Reading
Books & Literature
About
Join two amateur Grimmologists by the fireside as we read and review the Brothers Grimm, tale by twisted tale.
Episodes
- Semsi Mountain
This episode of Grimm Reading discusses The Brothers Grimm’s Semsi Mountain, a tale of an onlooker who steals from a gang and faces the consequences. It also explores the similar story of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves.
- Sweet Porridge
Grimm Reading explores the Brothers Grimm story "Sweet Porridge," examining its wide-ranging influences from folklore and mythology to figures like Goethe and Disney, and connections to perpetual motion and Great Flood narratives.
- The Lambkin And The Little Fish
Grimm Reading discusses the fairy tale 'The Lambkin And The Little Fish', featuring siblings transformed into a lamb and a fish by an evil stepmother. The episode also covers the Grimms' focus on sibling adventure tales and includes a vers…
- The Duration Of Life
Grimm Reading discusses the fairy tale “The Duration Of Life”, where four animals negotiate their time on Earth with God. The episode also explores historical ideas about the stages of life and the ages of mankind.
- One-Eye, Two-Eyes, and Three-Eyes
Grimm Reading discusses the Brothers Grimm fairy tale "One-Eye, Two-Eyes, and Three-Eyes," focusing on a mistreated girl
- The Sparrow And His Four Children
After a vicious attack on the family nest, four young sparrows are left to fend for themselves. When they return home, their anxious father enquires how they fared in the wide world. As each recounts their harrowing tale, we learn a valuab…
- Death's Messengers
After an ill-advised street brawl, Death gets back on his feet thanks to a helping hand from a passing young man. As a reward, Death promises to send his messengers before claiming the man himself. Will this newfound freedom cause trouble?…
- Christmas Special 2025
Come one, come all to this year’s Grimm Reading Christmas party! We engage in the usual frivolity with presents and festive cheer. And of course, we once more delve into the strange world of E.T.A. Hoffmann’s The Nutcracker And The Mouse K…
- The Dark Side of Christmas – Interview with author Sarah Clegg
Has Christmas always been wholesome? What did Halloween steal from Christmas? And what happens when you bump into a Krampus? Join us for a special interview episode, where we talk to Sarah Clegg, author of " The Dead of Winter: The Demons,…
- Lean Lisa
An industrious woman dreams big, but how will her husband, Long Laurence react when she reveals her plans? An unexpectedly brutal tale leads to an exploration of 'air castles', from Aesop to Leo Tolstoy, and a man getting a faceful of rice…
- The Glass Coffin
Evil wizards, crying stags, sharp-shooting damsels – prepare for a wild tale as the Grimms go full Indiana Jones with "The Glass Coffin". A poor tailor seeks shelter from a storm in a forest cabin; little does he know his life is about to…
- The Hurds + Looking For A Bride
It’s a 2-4-1 deal at Grimm Castle today as we read TWO Brothers Grimm tales: “The Hurds” and “Looking For A Bride”. What’s the correct way to choose your spouse? What does ‘hurd’ mean? And what’s the best way to prep cheese? All this and m…
- Koshchei The Deathless (Halloween Special 2025)
Things are getting spooky at Castle Grimm as we celebrate Halloween with the story “Koshchei the Deathless”, aka “Maria Morevna”. Prepare to be whisked into a world of immortal evil wizards, battle-loving queens, and rivers of fire. There…
- The Twelve Dancing Princesses
We’re back for series 8! Magic beds, secret raves, invisible soldiers - we kick things off with "The Twelve Dancing Princesses" aka "The Shoes That Were Danced To Pieces". It’s a somewhat famous story and surprisingly magical and romantic…
- Series 7 Live Quiz
The series is over, but were you listening? Join us for a live quiz where we ask questions on Series 7 trivia, and three lucky winners receive prizes. Series 8 is coming on October 12th! You can watch the live quiz on YouTube via this link…
- Series 7 Wrap-Up
Season 7 is in the bag! But which stories were the best and worst of the bunch? We reveal the winners and losers of the series, share some porridge updates, hear what listeners have to say, and set up the start of series 8. QUIZ! Saturday…
- Goldilocks And The Three Bears
Three friendly bachelor bears decide to take a walk while their porridge cools. Little do they suspect that an opportunistic young lady called Goldilocks will break in and help herself to breakfast. Will the bears catch her in the act or w…
- Old Rinkrank
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 h…
- The Owl
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…
- Grimmflix: The Princess Bride
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 Prince…
- The Three Sluggards
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…
- The Turnip
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 re…
- The Fox And The Horse
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, w…
- Dr Know-All
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…
- The Gnome
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 hist…
- Christmas Special 2024
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, fe…
- The Devil And His Grandmother
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…
- An Interview With Clare Pollard (Author of The Modern Fairies)
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,…
- The Poor Miller's Boy And His Cat
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 s…
- Donkey Cabbages
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…
- Baba Yaga And The Brave Youth (Halloween Special 2024)
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 roun…
- The Four Skillful Brothers
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 expl…
- Grimmbledon: Grand Final Results
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 t…
- Semi-Final Results + Grand Final Launch
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,…
- Children's Legends: Part 2
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 ou…
- Grimmbledon: Semi-Final 2
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 tale…
- Grimmbledon: Semi-Final 1
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 recap…
- Grimmbledon: Group Stage Results
Twenty Grimm stories have fought it out in the Group Stages, but only eight have made it through to the Semi-Finals... Find out which tales got the most public votes and secured their spot! Twitter Facebook Instagram Patreon grimmreadingpo…
- Children's Legends: Part 1
This time we take on the Grimms’ Children’s Legends, including the stories: The Three Green Twigs, God’s Food, The Aged Woman, and The Rose. We do our best to make sense of the misery and rate them out of 10. Still one day left to vote in…
- Grimmbledon: Group D
The initial Group Stage of the tournament concludes with Group D. Group D voting poll link: https://forms.gle/BJSvF6SVVkYGdHcF8 We’re pitting our highest-scoring Brothers Grimm tales against each other to decide their ultimate story. We op…
- Grimmbledon: Group C
The tournament continues with Group C. Group C voting poll link: https://forms.gle/gv5os8j1gEdaNd7L7 We’re pitting our highest-scoring Brothers Grimm tales against each other to decide their ultimate story. We open the episode with a recap…
- Grimmbledon: Group B
The tournament continues! We’re pitting our highest-scoring Brothers Grimm tales against each other to decide their ultimate story. This episode: Group B. Group B voting poll link: https://forms.gle/cZwGF7YTY4UDi31eA We open the episode wi…
- Grimmbledon: Group A
The tournament begins! We’re pitting our highest-scoring Brothers Grimm tales against each other to decide their ultimate story. First up, we have Group A. Group A voting poll link: https://forms.gle/JVeBVQaomVTNToXx7 We open the episode w…
- Grimmbledon Playoff Draw (The Tournament Begins...)
Welcome to Grimmbledon! We've finished Volume 1 of the Grimms' fairy tales and it's time to decide once and for all which was the best story we read. 20 tales will be battling it out to earn the crown of the best story. In this episode, we…
- 88. The Princess And The Pea (World Exclusive)
We're proud to present The Princess And The Pea by the Brothers Grimm for the first time ever in the English language! Hidden in the Grimms' 5th edition of fairy tales, their version was never translated into English - until now! A crack t…
- Christmas Livestream Quiz
We present our Christmas Livestream in audio form! Expect a quiz, a cake, crackers, listener chats, and a very unusual story. You can watch the full event on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/live/Np24YiGQG0U?si=bK-Kvdvzxa8Fhj4H
- Christmas Special 2023
We're back! And back in style. Welcome to our sixth annual Christmas party! Join us round the fire as we get festive in yet another bumper episode. We kick the party off by pulling some Christmas crackers, exchanging presents, and indulgin…
- 5-Year Anniversary Livestream
We made it to five years! In April we hosted a livestream event to celebrate the milestone - and here it is in audio form. Thanks to everyone who joined and helped make it such a special occasion. For the full experience, you can watch the…
- Series 5 Wrap-Up
It's the end of the series and the end of volume one for us here at Grimm Castle! So join us as we reveal the winners and losers of series 5 of Grimm Reading and indulge in some classic story stats. We then share some clips from our latest…
- Cinderella (Part 2)
In part two, discover the origins and history of cinderella as we embark on “The Story Of The Story”. First up, we follow the trail of Cinderella from ancient Greece through Basile, Perrault, and the Grimms, by way of medieval France, as w…