The Porridge of the Countess Berthe | A Classic Fairy Tale By Alexandre Dumas

Readers will be more familiar with other works by Dumas, such as The Count of Monte Cristo and The Three Musketeers, so this little novella is often overlooked. Translated for the first time in 2023, it's worth a few hours of anyone's time.

Opening the book with a brief biography of Dumas to give the reader context, we then dive into the fairytale within a tale.

The story comes as a tale told by a traveller chatting with a fellow passenger on a steamer down the Rhine, telling him a story about a castle they are passing. Count Osmond and his wife Countess Berthe rebuild Wittsgaw Castle after it had fallen into ruin. The most notable traits of the Countess were her kindness and compassion. Always with a kind word and alms for the needy, the Count and Countess were beloved. And not just by the people living under their rule. For the castle was home to a colony of dwarves - the Cobolts. They loved and protected the castle, and rewarded good owners with their protection and support. As a thank you for their help in restoring the castle, and their ongoing protection, the countess decreed that every year, everyone was invited to partake of a meal, including a honey porridge.

The tale follows the story of the castle, as it is passed down through generations and conquered by opposing forces. Many of these did not follow the decree and did not see why they should be providing food to those that should be providing for their lords. Successive owners were incompetent or mean or cruel, and paid the price for their misdeeds, until a new owner is found that could restore kindness.

In a world that feels so mean sometimes, it's takes a novella from 1847 to see kindness be rewarded.

The translation is excellent, keeping the conversational tone of the writing, and the book is beautifully narrated by Jason Don. Listening to the audiobook took me back to being read to as a child again - we're never too old for a truly delightful fairy tale.

‘The Porridge of the Countess Berthe’ is a fairy tale by Alexandre Dumas, père, which goes to further reveal the enormous breadth of the writer’s range, with gems continually being unearthed for the world to enjoy. It does make one wonder, what else of Dumas remains to be discovered?

Alix Daniel has here produced a delightful translation, one which remains faithful to the original and yet speaks to a modern anglophone audience.

You can but enjoy this little novella, so do not think twice about purchasing it!

Alexandre Dumas's short story is not one that is typically cited when listing his works. has been masterfully translated into English by Alix Daniel, all the while retaining the structure and tone of a traditional folk or fairy tale. Beneath its seemingly whimsical surface, the story deals with multiple themes, including social responsibility, greed, and the importance of tradition. It is interesting that Dumas chose German folklore with the cobolds as the enforcers of moral order, and the ghostly spectre of the countess reappears several times within the story. The story unfolds over several generations, the characters as varied in personality and morality as the various monarchs of Dumas' time, and could be interpreted as a satire of the society of his era. In the end, the humble and good guy wins, with a charming happily ever after that leaves the reader satisfied and content as a good fairy tale should. Having only read Dumas' more celebrated epic works, this tale was refreshing and delightful for me, and after reading Alix Daniel's English translation, I was curious enough to seek out the original French version for a second look and enjoyment. I really enjoyed this novella!

I’m delighted that The Porridge of the Countess Berthe, one of Alexandre Dumas’s lesser-known fairy tales, has been translated into English! I’ve enjoyed Dumas's more famous works, such as The Three Musketeers and The Count of Monte Cristo, but this is the first time I’ve had the opportunity to read this enchanting tale, thanks to Alix Daniel's superb translation.

Unlike the epic adventures Dumas is famous for, this story features a more intimate and humorous portrayal of his characters. It’s full of charm, and it’s easy to imagine this story being turned into a film.

If you’re a fan of Dumas or just love fairy tales, you’ll definitely want to check this out. Highly recommended!

This lovely vintage fairy tale is described as a goblin story, but the little Cobolds who live in the medieval Rhine castle are more like brownies than D&D kobolds. These friendly, secretive but powerful little creatures once lived happily in the castle’s foundations, doing secret tasks to help beneficent rulers. There are hints from the beginning that these castle Cobolds would be more than capable of pranks and vengeance on unkind humans, but fortunately, the original Count and Countess are kind to everyone.

The good Countess Berthe is as thoughtful and honest as she is lovely. She is respectful to the tiny cobolds, earning their trust and assistance. She asks for help in completing the new castle, and promises an annual feast of honey porridge for all the castle’s tenants if the work is done quickly and well. Sweet Countess Berthe follows her promise and offers some more appetizing fare, too, putting on a huge feast for the castle’s tenants every year. Countess Berthe’s lifetime is the golden era of harmony between generous countess and hardworking tenants, and between human and supernatural residents of the castle, but of course that can’t last. What follows is a fairy tale/ghost story about the perils of ignoring Countess Berthe’s legacy.

There are magical elements and classic fairy-tale character types, including some power-hungry villains with no concern for other people. Yeah, The Count of Monte Cristo has some pretty dark characters, too, but that atmosphere feels much more serious. The Porridge of Countess Berthe has that wonderful fairy-tale feeling that all the villains will be punished, and the good, kind characters will be rewarded.

The book is vintage in beautiful and charming ways, like the scenes of old chivalry, where men are trapped by honor and custom into keeping their word, even if they would prefer to back out. A lot of the story hinges on the annual banquets, and I enjoyed those scenes a great deal.

The Porridge of the Countess Berthe really was a fun and interesting old find, full of classic fairy tale elements and little funny asides.

Alexandre Dumas, known for his swashbuckling tales of adventure and romance, takes a delightful turn in "The Porridge of Countess Berthe," a lesser-known yet equally enchanting work. This fairytale is steeped in the same vibrant historical backdrop of medieval England and brings a light-hearted and whimsical charm to the forefront. Translated by Alix Daniels, the story revolves around the charming and resourceful Countess Berthe, who finds herself entangled in a series of culinary and romantic escapades. Set in the picturesque French countryside, the narrative begins with Countess Berthe discovering an ancient family recipe for a magical porridge. This porridge, rumored to possess mystical qualities, becomes the centerpiece of a tale brimming with intrigue, humor, and a touch of Dumas' signature flair for the dramatic. Countess Berthe is a delightful protagonist, embodying both wit and grace. Dumas' prose is, as always, vivid and engaging. His descriptive passages bring the French countryside to life, and his dialogue sparkles with wit and humor. I think the this translation has reflected Damas writing style perfectly and with the added illustrations it bring this fairytale to life. The pacing is brisk, keeping readers engaged from the first bite of porridge to the last. Dumas' talent for blending historical detail with imaginative storytelling shines through, making "The Porridge of Countess Berthe" a delightful read. At its core, "The Porridge of Countess Berthe" explores themes of tradition, love, and the unexpected ways in which simple pleasures can transform our lives. The magical porridge serves as a metaphor for the surprises life holds and the importance of savoring every moment. Dumas' exploration of culinary traditions also offers a rich, sensory experience, transporting readers to a time when food was a central part of cultural and familial identity. While not as widely known as "The Three Musketeers" or "The Count of Monte Cristo," "The Porridge of Countess Berthe" is a hidden gem in Alexandre Dumas' oeuvre. It offers a charming, light-hearted escape into a world where culinary magic and human folly intertwine. Fans of Dumas will appreciate this whimsical departure from his more dramatic works, and new readers will find it a delightful introduction to his storytelling prowess. Whether you're a lover of historical fiction, culinary tales, or simply a well-crafted story, "The Porridge of Countess Berthe" is a delectable treat that should not be missed.

Once again, the author deserves applause for writing up such a spellbinding piece of art. I found this whimsical goblin tale most enjoyable and loved how powerfully written it was with the use of strong language. The fable begins with the charming Countess Berthe, who takes an oath to host a feast every year for the good-hearted goblins as a reward for their hard work in rebuilding her castle. The countess vehemently swears that she will abide restlessly in her grave if the tradition is not followed after her death. Soon after the death of the countess and her husband, their descendants and a few other elites, generation after generation, accommodated the castle, but not all held the intention of observing Countess Berthe's crucial custom due to their wicked greed and negligence. As a result, Countess Berthe's ghost would come together with the angered goblins to teach such people a lesson. The pace of the book was very smooth, as were the tone and language techniques, which gave a feeling of elegance and quaintness throughout the story. However, I would get mixed up when new characters were introduced, as their names were of a similar sort. What I particularly liked was the end part where Count Berthe's grandson, who suffered great injustice at the hands of his own father and stepmother, unexpectedly returned at the end of the story and became victorious in acquiring the castle, his love, and most importantly, he promised to follow his grandmother's special tradition with much esteem. I think this book is great for eight-year-olds and over, as there is a lot of formal language being used. I would also like to point out how beautifully the book was translated by Alix Daniel. Overall, I truly believe this tale should become more popular, such as the famous tales of Little Red Riding Hood or Hansel and Gretel.