A Curse as Dark as GoldBy Elizabeth C. Bunce
Arthur A. Levine Books, 2008. 395 pgs. Young Adult
In this retelling of Rumpelstiltskin, Charlotte Miller's father has died, leaving her and her younger sister Rosie to try to keep their mill running. The Stirwaters mill has always seemed to have bad luck--and villagers talk of a curse on the mill--but Charlotte is determined to save the mill. Even though she vehemently disbelieves the rumors of a curse, bad things keep happening at the mill, and Charlotte, facing the loss of the mill if she defaults on her mortgage, turns to the help of a stranger who can spin straw into gold. While the dark and unnatural Jack Spinner does help them, Charlotte soon finds herself risking life, love, and family to save the mill from the grasp of evil.
This was a deliciously chilling fractured fairy tale. Charlotte and her friends are delightful--spunky, funny and charming. Jack Spinner sent a chill up my spine, and the elements of magic and romance were intriguing. This is definitely one for fans of fractured fairy tales to check out.
AE
1 comment:
I have heard several variations of "Rumplestiltskin" and been unsatisfied with most of them. I never liked that particular fairy tale. However, I really liked this book. Many young adult novels track the progress of a relationship resulting into couplehood or marriage. However, this novel takes a look at the beginning of a fledgling marriage between two young and likable adults. Charlotte is an appealingly strong heroine yet vulnerable and unsure of how to act with her new groom. I always like it when an author can insert some historical facts in the plot. The setting of this novel is England around the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. I would recommend this read.
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