The Nutcracker - Hardcover

by Alexandre Dumas (Author)

A retelling of the classic festive story by Alexandre Dumas which inspired Tchaikovsky's famous ballet. Full of wonder and imagination, featuring original black-and-white illustrations by French artist Bertall.

On Christmas Eve, seven-year-old Mary excitedly opens her presents. She unwraps an intriguing little nutcracker figure from her godfather.

One night, as the clock strikes twelve, young Mary's Nutcracker comes alive to battle a ferocious army of mice. The next day Mary eagerly tells her family what she witnessed, but only godfather Drosselmayer believes her.

Drosselmayer tells Mary the story of a young mechanic who accidentally brought a curse upon the charming Princess Pirlipata. A far-flung quest for the mystical Cracatook Nut ensues, and all of a sudden Mary and her Nutcracker are whisked away to a magical land . . .

This edition of The Nutcracker is part of the Macmillan Collector's Library, a series of stunning pocket-sized classics. These beautiful books make perfect gifts or a treat for any book lover.

Author Biography

Alexandre Dumas was born in Aisne, France, in 1802. He was the son of General Thomas-Alexandre Dumas. In early adulthood he worked as a clerk, met the renowned actor Talma, and began writing short pieces for the theatre. Dumas then turned his hand to novel-writing, and penned The Count of Monte Cristo and The Three Musketeers. After enduring a short period of bankruptcy, he began to travel extensively, keeping up a prodigious output of journalism, short fiction and novels. Dumas died in Dieppe in 1870.