An opportunistic onlooker robs a gang of their stolen loot. But when his brother demands to know where he got his riches, this new life of wealth starts to look precarious. Will the gang discover the true thief? And will any escape alive? Find out as we read The Brothers Grimm’s Semsi Mountain. After the story, we address the elephant in the room and dive straight in to a very famous similar story, the wonderful Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves. Join our Patreon to hear our special episode on Ali ...
May 03, 2026•53 min•Season 8Ep. 14
How much porridge is too much porridge? Find out as we read the Brothers Grimm's tale 'Sweet Porridge'. From Tom Cruise to giant Vikings, Great Flood myths to perpetual motion machines - this one is truly a wild ride. We discuss Goethe, Disney, Bob Hoskins, Asbjørnsen and Moe, and much besides as we look at the many influences and obscure connections to this piece of narrative, folkloric fiction. ... Linktree Patreon Merch Store Instagram Twitter/X Facebook grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme mu...
Apr 19, 2026•48 min•Season 8Ep. 13
Witches, siblings, memory games, and magic - join us as we read and review 'The Lambkin And The Little Fish' from The Grimms' Fairy Tales. An evil stepmother turns two siblings into a lamb and a fish. When she orders her cook to slaughter the lamb sister, how can the fish brother save her? And will they ever regain their human form? In this episode, we discuss the Grimms' obsession with sibling adventure tales and hear another version of this folk tale type from Ottoman Turkey. Finally, we pick ...
Apr 05, 2026•42 min•Season 8Ep. 12
Four animals negotiate their time on Earth with God. Who will emerge with the most years? And is there a twist awaiting the victor? Join us as we read the Grimm fairy tale, “The Duration Of Life”. After the story, we discuss ideas of ‘the stages of life’ and ‘the ages of mankind’ from throughout history. Plus, we hear from a grumpy Sphinx and Matt reads his first Shakespeare soliloquy in a desperate attempt to win an Olivier Award. ... Linktree Patreon Merch Store Instagram Twitter/X Facebook gr...
Mar 22, 2026•50 min•Season 8Ep. 11
Things get weird as we read one of the most tantalisingly titled stories in the Brothers Grimm collection, 'One-Eye, Two-Eyes, and Three-Eyes'. A young girl suffers at the hands of her mother and sisters. Will a magical goat be able to save her? And if not, can a passing knight offer the help she needs? Join us as we read a most peculiar Grimm tale, before debuting a new segment, "Eye Stories of Ancient Religions," where we try to make sense of the Grimms annotations and see where this all start...
Mar 08, 2026•1 hr 9 min•Season 8Ep. 10
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 valuable lesson in how to stay safe in a dangerous world. Join us as we read the Grimms' tale, The Sparrow And His Four Children! More a sermon than a story, we discuss the origins of the tale, from the bible through to the Grimms, before hearing an Indian sparrow st...
Feb 22, 2026•43 min•Season 8Ep. 9
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? And what exactly are these messengers? Yes, it's the return of the fan-favourite recurring character: Death! And as ever with Death, things are not quite as straightforward as they appear... After the story, we chase the messengers of death around the world wi...
Feb 08, 2026•41 min•Season 8Ep. 8
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 King. We also introduce a new segment - the Christmas monster of the year! We meet Jólakötturinn, aka The Yule Cat, a terrifying giant feline who roams Iceland on Christmas. Have a wonderful Christmas season, wherever you are and we’ll see you in the new year. ....
Dec 21, 2025•1 hr 22 min•Season 8Ep. 7
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, Witches and Ghosts of Christmas ". We discuss her run-ins with Christmas monsters, learn about the surprisingly unruly history of Christmas celebrations, and hear why Jacob Grimm may have a lot to answer for... From wassailing to ghostly walks, this is Christm...
Dec 14, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Season 8Ep. 6
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 gruel... This episode is Certified Grimm for adult themes and may not be suitable for all listeners. ... Linktree Patreon Merch Store Instagram Twitter/X Facebook grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Brahms' P...
Dec 07, 2025•39 min•Season 8Ep. 5
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 change forever. When a violent stag abducts him, the tailor finds himself in a mysterious cave complete with two glass boxes. What will he find? And why did the Edwardians go mad for glass caskets? Find out all this and more in our latest episode. ... Linktree ...
Nov 23, 2025•47 min•Season 8Ep. 4
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 more will be revealed as we explore two short, sweet and sexist tales from the master storytellers. ... Linktree Patreon Merch Store Instagram Twitter/X Facebook grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Brahms' 2 Rh...
Nov 09, 2025•38 min•Season 8Ep. 3
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 may even feature a brief cameo from an old friend… Happy Halloween all! Linktree Patreon Merch Store Instagram Twitter/X Facebook grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Aram Khachaturian's Masquerade Waltz // Lis...
Oct 26, 2025•52 min•Season 8Ep. 2
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 for the Grimms, albeit overtly violent and deeply problematic. So join us as we once more delve into the world of the Brothers Grimm, and chase this folk tale from ancient Babylon through Victorian England (via the story "Kate Crackernuts"), and ending unexpect...
Oct 12, 2025•47 min•Season 8Ep. 1
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 . Linktree Patreon Merch Store Instagram Twitter/X Facebook grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko...
Oct 02, 2025•54 min•Season 7Ep. 18
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 28th June 7pm (BST) Link to the Series 7 Live Quiz so you can subscribe and join in the fun. ... Linktree Patreon Merch Store Instagram Twitter/X Facebook grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Dvořák's String Qu...
Jun 01, 2025•53 min•Season 7Ep. 17
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 will she get away? What’s the best way to have porridge? And where do Aristotle and Stephen Hawking fit into all this? Join us for the series seven finale as we read Goldilocks and the Three Bears - and then share the history of how the story developed. ... Link...
May 11, 2025•55 min•Season 7Ep. 14
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 herself? And will her fiancé have waited for her? Find out in the penultimate episode of the season! After the story, we attempt to ascend our own glass mountain and identify the tale's place in the canon of folklore, leading us to Poland and Norway where things...
Apr 27, 2025•45 min•Season 7Ep. 15
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, killer trains to Puerto Rican pirate vessels, this episode takes us on a wild ride through some of the stranger corners of history as we dig into what exactly this story means. ... Linktree Patreon Merch Store Instagram Twitter/X Facebook grimmreadingpodcast@...
Apr 13, 2025•46 min•Season 7Ep. 14
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 Princess Bride. Will Adam love it? Was it worth the wait? We share our thoughts on the movie before awarding our Grimms. We then explore the making of the film and share some behind-the-scenes stories, thanks to Cary Elwes' memoir, As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales fr...
Apr 06, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Season 7Ep. 13
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 know what’s hit us we’re discussing everything from Sussex slang words, slugs, our old friend Straparola, and Kim Jong Un. ... Linktree Patreon Merch Store Instagram Twitter/X Facebook grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko ...
Mar 23, 2025•35 min•Season 7Ep. 12
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 read The Turnip by the Brothers Grimm! After the story, we're led across a world of culture - from Pulp Fiction to Serbian hip-hop to the UK's obsession with giant vegetables. If you want to grow your own giant veg along with us, check out giantvegseeds.com . And...
Mar 09, 2025•50 min•Season 7Ep. 8
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, we explore several other fables of foxes and horses, taking us from the summit of French high literature to a humble stable in the Isle of Skye, Scotland, to see just how widespread this story once was. ... Linktree Patreon Merch Store Instagram Twitter/X Facebo...
Mar 02, 2025•41 min•Season 7Ep. 10
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 similar stories from around the world, culminating in the medieval Indian tale of Harrisaman (FKA Froggie)... ... Linktree Patreon Merch Store Instagram Twitter/X Facebook grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: ...
Feb 16, 2025•44 min•Season 7Ep. 9
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 history of gnomes, from Roman smut to Pink Floyd and beyond... ... Linktree Patreon Merch Store Instagram Twitter/X Facebook grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 2: Finale, Bernd Gl...
Feb 02, 2025•59 min•Season 7Ep. 8
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, featuring some unlikely characters… So join us for a cracker, a mince pie, spiced wine, gifts, and merriment a-plenty at this year’s Grimm Reading Christmas party. ... Linktree Patreon Merch Store Instagram Twitter/X Facebook grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme m...
Dec 22, 2024•1 hr 55 min•Season 7Ep. 7
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 unlikely heroes a helping hand... Riddles, dragons and magic whips - join us for The Devil And His Grandmother. We also talk dragons in the bible, and explore the fascinating legend of Faust and the Faustian pact, through Marlowe to Goethe. ... Linktree Patreon...
Dec 08, 2024•51 min•Season 7Ep. 6
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, and radical salon. It's "Disney meets Dangerous Liaisons" and a brilliant, cosy read. We talk to Clare about fairy tales, writing, salons, audiobooks and plenty more besides. Discover Clare's writings through her website . You can also subscribe to her Substack...
Dec 01, 2024•51 min•Season 7Ep. 5
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 she seems? After the story, we find ourselves in early-modern Paris where we meet fairy tale behemoth Madame D'Aulnouy. We hear of her extraordinary life as well as a short version of her related story, The White Cat. ... Linktree Patreon Merch Store Instagram T...
Nov 24, 2024•58 min•Season 7Ep. 4
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 stick? Some scientists think they've found the answer... We then briefly look at man-donkeys in storytelling, say hi to Shakespeare, and meet the long-forgotten German folkhero Fortunatus. Here's a link to the paper we discuss in the episode: Memory and Mystery...
Nov 10, 2024•59 min•Season 7Ep. 3
