Summary
This twist on Rapunzel is a great way to draw readers into traditional literature. While Rapunzel is frequently seen as a meek and mild girl awaiting her prince charming this one is different. She discovers she has a cowgirl-like ability to whip bad guys into shape, literally, using her long luscious locks. After growing up in an enclosed castle with Mother Gothel, who had taken her from her real parents at an early age, Rapunzel is banished to live inside of a hollowed out tree in the middle of a forest when she tries to run away to find her real mother. Eventually she is able to escape and meets a young boy that is also on the run. While attempting to get back to her real mother Rapunzel and her new found friend, Jack, must pass through many different communities. In each they either barely escape with their lives or help the community in some fantastic way, such as killing an evil serpent that was haunting one town and keeping them from being able to fish to feed their families. In each community Rapunzel learns more and more about the cruelty with which Mother Gothel governs the area. She uses her magic growth power to keep each community tied to her. In the end Jack and Rapunzel work together to finally defeat Mother Gothel and save the lives and lively hood of all of those around.
Bibliographic Citation
Hale, S. (2008). Rapunzels revenge. Bloomsbury.
Personal Impressions
I love to read new fractured fairy tales. Having a strong female protagonist was great to see, especially since many fairy tales and fractured fairy tales contain weak female characters awaiting their prince charming to come in and save the day. This one was exceptionally well written. The plot was both intricate and exciting. It kept readers entertained. I did feel that after the third sticky situation that Jack and Rapunzel got themselves into the plot began to get a bit long winded.
Reviews
Tina Coleman (Booklist, Sep. 1, 2008 (Vol. 105, No. 1))
This graphic novel retelling of the fairy-tale classic, set in a swashbuckling Wild West, puts action first and features some serious girl power in its spunky and strong heroine. Young Rapunzel lives a lonely life, never knowing what lies beyond the high garden walls of her mother’s royal villa until one day she climbs the wall to see what’s on the other side. When she finds that the world outside is a dark place oppressed by her mother’s greed for power and uncovers the real secret of her own birth, she is imprisoned in a magic tree tower. In her years of captivity, she learns a lot about self-reliance and care for her exceptionally long hair, and eventually she is able to escape, vowing to bring down her mother’s cruel empire. Hale’s art matches the story well, yielding expressive characters and lending a wonderful sense of place to the fantasy landscape. Rich with humor and excitement, this is an alternate version of a classic that will become a fast favorite of young readers. Grades 5-8
Paula McMillen, Ph.D. (Children's Literature)
The original fairytale about Rapunzel has her shut in a tower by a witch and rescued by a prince. This graphic novel version definitely twists the character and the storyline. This Rapunzel is no fainting flower. In fact, she takes the lead in a series of adventures, using her long braids to get herself out of all kinds of bad situations and to help others in the process. For example, she rescues herself from the tower by lassoing a nearby treetop to escape her prison. Then, she turns the tables on the conceited handsome cowboy who shows up thinking to take advantage of a naïve maiden in distress, even though he had no plans to actually rescue her. This version is set in the Wild West, where horse-thieving is a crime and seemingly no one can be trusted. The woman who put Rapunzel in the tower is a ruthless land baron who is holding the miners, ranchers and farmers hostage with her witching ability to make things grow or wither away. The artwork is engaging, as are the characters of the resourceful female protagonist and her sidekick, Jack--who carries around a goose and hoards a magic bean. This is a wonderful recasting of the traditional helpless female fairytale, and you will want to pass it along to all the girls you know. 2008, Bloomsbury, $14.99 and $18.99. Ages 10 to 14.
Kate Reynolds (Childrens Book and Play Review, September/October 2008 (Vol. 29, No. 1))
Newbery Honor author Shannon Hale has teamed up with her husband to create a delightfully whacky graphic novel version of Rapunzel. Rapunzel is the sheltered and lonely (supposed) daughter of a powerful southwestern patrona, Gothel. On her twelfth birthday, Rapunzel discovers the terrible working conditions outside the hacienda walls and the truth about her real parents who have been forced to work as slaves in Gothel's mines. Rapunzel denounces her former life so Gothel uses plant magic to grow a giant tree and imprisons Rapunzel in its top. The magic that Gothel uses to grow the tree also makes Rapunzel's hair grow, and she eventually uses her hair to escape. Rapunzel meets a thief named Jack, of course, and together they set off to bring an end to Gothel's evil control over the region. The way Hale has twisted a familiar fairy tale to make the female character stronger is reminiscent of Levine's Princess Tales (e.g. Princess Sonora and the Long Sleep, Harper 1999). This is definitely a strong girl book. Jack repeatedly leaves the fighting to Rapunzel who uses her hair like a bull whip to defeat the bad guys. The text is spare, mostly dialog, allowing the illustrations to tell the remainder of the story. Nathan Hale's illustrations are colorful, fun, and full of action. They clearly communicate not only what is happening, but also how the characters feel. Nothing but pure fun and a great book for reluctant reader girls. Rating: Outstanding. Reading Level: Intermediate. Category: Fairy tales; Graphic novels. 2008, Bloomsbury, 144 p., $18.99. © 2002, Brigham Young University.
CCBC (Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices, 2009)
A spirited graphic novel twines characters from two traditional fairy tales into a fresh, funny new story. When Rapunzel discovers that her “mother,” Gothel, stole her as a baby, the girl rebels and is locked up in a tree that has grown to towering proportions by Gothel’s use of magic. Rapunzel’s hair grows copiously, too, fashioning the means of her escape. Swinging to freedom, she is determined to rescue her real mother from Gothel’s mines, where she has toiled for years. Rapunzel soon meets Jack, a young man with troubles of his own, whose only companion is a goose unwilling to lay eggs. After Rapunzel rescues Jack from a sticky situation with a rapid crack of her lariat braids, they become inseparable. Their clashing values (Jack is not above a little larceny for a good cause—the best cause being his own well-being) and droll exchanges can’t mask their growing fondness for each other. Likewise, their knack for stumbling into trouble is mitigated by their ever-growing finesse at getting out of it, often helping the citizens whom Mother Gothel has been terrorizing with her magic along the way. Shannon and Dean Hale establish the humor with Rapunzel’s self-deprecating storytelling and the lively exchanges between characters, while Nathan Hale’s full-color panel illustrations fulfill the possibilities of this witty tale full of long-haired heroism. CCBC Category: Fiction for Children. 2008, Bloomsbury, 144 pages, $18.99 and $14.99. Ages 10-15.
Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, August 1, 2008 (Vol. 76, No. 15))
A beloved fairy tale gets a glossy graphic-novel makeover, reworked in a fanciful Old West setting. Rapunzel lives an idyllic life in Mother Gothel's verdant villa until she dares question her about what lies beyond the outer wall. Her curiosity leads her to uncover the shocking truth about her past, resulting in her subsequent isolation in a faraway tower. Propelled by her strong desire to see Gothel brought to justice for her misdeeds, she escapes and embarks upon a journey to seek the truth. Along the way, she meets up with Jack (of beanstalk fame) and faces enemies of epic proportions, including sea serpents and a pack of murderous coyotes. The Hales apply a new twist (or three) to the classic tale, creating a strong, sassy, braid-whipping character who waits for no prince. Nathan Hale's art, stylistically reminiscent of a picture book, provides a snazzy counterpoint to the folksy text. A dash of typical fairy-tale romance, a strong sense of social justice and a spunky heroine make this a standout choice for younger teens. 2008, Bloomsbury, 144p, $18.99. Category: Graphic fiction. Ages 10 to 14. © 2008 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.
Karen Scott (Library Media Connection, November/December 2008)
Rapunzel lives in a grand villa with good food, loyal servants, and her ‘mother,’ or so she thought, Gothel. Outside the walls the people work hard for very little. One day Rapunzel sneaks out of the villa and finds her real mother working in the mines as a slave. When Rapunzel lets Gothel feel her wrath, she is taken far, far away to a magical garden where she is imprisoned in a tree. Although the main element of the fairytale remains the same--Rapunzel’s hair grows long enough to aid in her escape--the similarities end there. This Rapunzel takes us on a rollicking, adventure-filled journey through the countryside where she meets up with Jack (owner of a magic bean and ‘Goldy’ the goose) who follows her and helps to reunite her with her true mother. This wonderfully illustrated graphic novel adds spark and excitement to the tale. The bright colors and duller tones distinguish between the haves and the have nots. Rapunzel and Jack are unique characters, and their dialogue allows that uniqueness to shine through. This is a fun read for all ages. Highly Recommended. 2008, Bloomsbury Children’s Books, 144pp., $18.99 hc. Ages 9 to 14.
Phyllis Thompson (The ALAN Review, Winter 2010 (Vol. 37, No. 2))
If you loved The Goose Girl and Book of a Thousand Days, you are in for another treat. In Rapunzel’s Revenge, author Shannon Hale partners with Dean Hale and Nathan Hale to retell the Grimm’s classic as a graphic novel. This is definitely not your grandmother’s Rapunzel--the quietly submissive, longsuffering princess, waiting for the prince to rescue her. The Hales’s updated teenager-ina- tower has a big heart, strong braids, and a swashbuckling, high-energy, big-adventure story to tell. This Rapunzel is “WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE for horse thieving, kidnapping, jail breaking, and using her hair in a manner other than nature intended!” While Rapunzel’s Revenge is definitely the stuff of high adventure and the old West, it is very much a story about growing up female, taking chances, negotiating potentially dangerous landscapes, confronting cruelty and loss, and re-finding the nurture and comfort that can be had in love. Category: Adventure/Growing Up/Self. YA--Young Adult. 2008, Bloomsbury, 144 pp., $14.99. Ages young adult.Johnson City, TN
Karen Coats (The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, September 2008 (Vol. 62, No. 1))
In this oversized full-color graphic novel, Mother Gothel is using her growth magic to build an empire by limiting the areas where crops will grow, exacting excessive taxes, and consigning peasants to back-breaking labor in her mines. Her adopted daughter is oblivious to her mother’s cruelty until the day when she finally climbs the wall that surrounds her home and sees the wasteland that exists beyond and meets her real mother. Outraged at her disobedience, Mother Gothel locks her up in a special tree she has grown for the purpose. After five years, Rapunzel uses her growth-accelerated red hair to escape, and, determined to rescue her real mother, she eventually teams up with a colorful, harmless thief. Adventure after adventure reveals to her the extent of Mother Gothel’s cruel reach, and she decides she must set her to rights as well. Using her whippy, ropelike braids and a few athletic fighting tricks she has picked up along the way, she battles sea monsters, wild coyotes, bandits, and henchmen on her way to her righteous revenge. Shannon Hale’s comic wit and romantic sensibilities translate well to this new format, which blends fairy-tale revision, journey quest, Wild West shoot-’em-up, and action adventure into one wild ride. The easy-to-follow panel arrangements with their multicultural cast of characters guide even reluctant graphic-novel readers seamlessly through the fast-paced narrative. Readers with a high degree of empathy will appreciate the attention given to the small details of the way she manages her hair so as to never to pull it straight from her head when she’s using it to wrangle outlaws and varmints. The surprising character revelation at the end provides a perfect climactic pivot and slides elegantly into the light-hearted comedic structure of a romantic happily ever after for Rapunzel, her mother, and her man Review Code: R -- Recommended. (c) Copyright 2006, The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. 2008, Bloomsbury, 144p.; Reviewed from galleys, $18.99 and $14.99. Grades 4-7.
Laura Lehner (VOYA, October 2008 (Vol. 31, No. 4))
This version of the classic fairy tale Rapunzel is set in the old Southwest, complete with cowboys, coal mines, and coyotes. Rapunzel is a young girl living in a fortress with Mother Gothel, an enchantress who can make plants grow at her whim. Although their home is overflowing with fruits and flowers, it is surrounded by a wall that masks the desert and coal mines outside-Gothel owns everything, and the native people depend on her good will to keep their crops growing. When Rapunzel sneaks over the wall on her twelfth birthday, she sees the desolate world over which Mother Gothel rules, and she meets her real mother who was forced to give Rapunzel to Gothel at birth. To punish her curiosity, Gothel imprisons Rapunzel inside an enchanted tree that has only one window, far above the ground. Just as in the original version, Rapunzel's hair grows prodigiously. But this girl does not need a prince to climb up and rescue her. She uses her braid as a lasso to escape the tree and goes on many adventures that lead her ultimately to reunite with her mother and find true love in a boy named Jack, whose companion is an uncooperative goose. The Hale team creates an engaging heroine. Rapunzel gallivants across the unexpected setting, meets a cast of characters both humorous and threatening, and in the end comes to inherit the land that Gothel had stripped of life and returns it to the native people. This novel presents entertaining girl power at its quirkiest. VOYA CODES: 3Q 3P M J G (Readable without serious defects; Will appeal with pushing; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Graphic Novel Format). 2008, Bloomsbury, 144p., $18.99. Ages 11 to 15.
Elementary Library Uses
Comparing this version of Rapunzel to another, more traditional version, would be a fantastic way to analyze the story. Students could compare different story elements such as characters and plot. Students could do this using a venn diagram.
No comments:
Post a Comment