Book · 2023 · Literary Collections
The Little Mermaid
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Hans Christian Andersen wrote it way better than I just recounted it. A lot less ums and likes. Yeah. But it's pretty, it's worth reading.
Why people recommend it
The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen is a classic, melancholy fairy tale that explores themes of unrequited love, sacrifice, and mortality in a far darker fashion than modern cinematic adaptations suggest. On the Stuff You Should Know podcast episode titled SYSK Gets Weird Playlist: Mermaids: Not a real thing, released on September 18, 2026, Josh Clark and Charles W. Bryant discussed the famous literary piece. During the conversation, Josh recounted the dramatic and sorrowful conclusion of the original narrative. Reflecting on the storytelling craftsmanship, Josh remarked that Andersen wrote the tale far better than his own brief podcast retelling, noting the absence of conversational filler and praising the literary quality of the work. Both hosts agreed that the original text is beautifully crafted and well worth reading for those familiar only with sanitized versions, offering a poignant look at Andersen's enduring fairy-tale legacy.
Every mention
Mentioned on the show without a named speaker1
“Hans Christian Andersen wrote it way better than I just recounted it. A lot less ums and likes. Yeah. But it's pretty, it's worth reading.”
