Book 37: A Curse Dark as Gold by Elizabeth C. Bunce
Here is book thirty-seven from my Book List 2009. The link leads to a more detailed review in my journal.
37. Title: A Curse Dark as Gold
Author: Elizabeth C. Bunce
Pages: 392
Thoughts: Link
Review in five words or less: Dark and complex; beautifully written.
Personal Rating: «««« out of five.
A Curse Dark as Gold is a richly textured and complicated retelling of the Rumpelstiltskin fairy tale. Bunce takes many characteristics from the classic tale and breathes new life into them by giving them complex and detailed backgrounds. The result is a fascinating and compelling story that comprehensively explores the motivations of certain characters.
The story focuses on Charlotte Miller. She and her sister Rosie have just inherited the family mill and all the debt, problems, and curses associated with the business. Charlotte is extremely practical and has no time for curses and superstitions. The mill provides employment for many people in the town and she feels the weight of that responsibility.
Facing seemingly insurmountable problems, a desperate Charlotte is willing to try anything. A mysterious stranger named Jack Spinner appears and Charlotte reluctantly accepts his help. In exchange for his assistance, Jack asks for mere tokens at first. He then demands something that Charlotte is unwilling to pay. It is at that point when she is forced to confront the reality of the family's curse that she must somehow find the strength to break it.
Rumpelstiltskin was one of my favorite tales as a child, but it always felt somewhat incomplete to me and I felt bad for the title character. Bunce's book provides a completely satisfying and plausible account for Jack Spinner's (Rumpelstiltskin's) actions and motivations. The last part of the book that focused on Jack's side of the story was delightfully creepy.
This book was won the 2009 William C. Morris YA Debut Award by the American Library Association. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it, and I highly recommend it to those who like the Rumpelstiltskin or fairy tales in general.
37 / 50 books. 74% done!
13,046 / 15000 pages. 87% done!
37. Title: A Curse Dark as Gold
Author: Elizabeth C. Bunce
Pages: 392
Thoughts: Link
Review in five words or less: Dark and complex; beautifully written.
Personal Rating: «««« out of five.
A Curse Dark as Gold is a richly textured and complicated retelling of the Rumpelstiltskin fairy tale. Bunce takes many characteristics from the classic tale and breathes new life into them by giving them complex and detailed backgrounds. The result is a fascinating and compelling story that comprehensively explores the motivations of certain characters.
The story focuses on Charlotte Miller. She and her sister Rosie have just inherited the family mill and all the debt, problems, and curses associated with the business. Charlotte is extremely practical and has no time for curses and superstitions. The mill provides employment for many people in the town and she feels the weight of that responsibility.
Facing seemingly insurmountable problems, a desperate Charlotte is willing to try anything. A mysterious stranger named Jack Spinner appears and Charlotte reluctantly accepts his help. In exchange for his assistance, Jack asks for mere tokens at first. He then demands something that Charlotte is unwilling to pay. It is at that point when she is forced to confront the reality of the family's curse that she must somehow find the strength to break it.
Rumpelstiltskin was one of my favorite tales as a child, but it always felt somewhat incomplete to me and I felt bad for the title character. Bunce's book provides a completely satisfying and plausible account for Jack Spinner's (Rumpelstiltskin's) actions and motivations. The last part of the book that focused on Jack's side of the story was delightfully creepy.
This book was won the 2009 William C. Morris YA Debut Award by the American Library Association. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it, and I highly recommend it to those who like the Rumpelstiltskin or fairy tales in general.