I actually read the original publication of this translation, from the 1800's, online, but this does seem to be a virtually exact reprint of the original. The illustrations are absolutely brilliant in the way in which they compliment the stories, and the translations are true to the original spirit of the tales. These aren't the Disney stories. Like all works in translation, the translator has a lot of power and responsibility for balancing the original language and spirit of a work with making a readable translation. Lucy Crane handled that job quite well here. If you can't read the original German, but do want to read the tales as they were intended to be, then this translation may just be the best option you have. But, be warned, what you've heard about the darkness of the originals is very true, and these stories are not for young children.
