Novels by Hans Christian Andersen

H.C. Andersen wrote a total of six novels and he published his first, The Improvisatore, in 1835. The novel was one of Andersen’s attempts at gaining an audience. It was also through his novels that he gained a foothold in his day in age as a writer and became acknowledged abroad. However, Andersen felt that he could gain greater success through his fairy tales, and this could be the reason why he did not publish more novels. The menu item “Novels” contains summaries of H.C. Andersen’s six novels.

The Improvisatore

The Improvisatore is a Bildungsroman in which the mature and serene Antonio recounts his quest to built his own life in the world from childhood into his adult life…

O.T.

The novel depicts a friendship between Otto, who is brought up by his grandfather in western Jutland, and Vilhelm, who is of noble Funen ancestry…

Only a Fiddler

Only a Fiddler depicts the story of the musical, poor child, Christian, and the jewish girl, Naomi, who have known each other since childhood…

The Two Baronesses

Elisabeth enters the world in an abandoned farm by Funens southern seas. Her parents are traveling musicians…

To Be, or Not To Be

Niels Bryde is born and grows up in the Round Tower, where his father is a gatekeeper…

Lucky Peer

The novel portrays Peers life from birth through struggle in school to success before his death…