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Title: Zel
Author: Donna Jo Napoli
Narrator: Catherine Byers
Format: Unabridged
Length: 5 hrs and 34 mins
Language: English
Release date: 01-20-09
Publisher: Penguin Group USA and Audible
Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 21 votes
Genres: Kids, Ages 8-10
Publisher's Summary:
High in the mountains, Zel lives with her mother, who insists they have all they need - for they have each other. Zel's life is peaceful and protected - until a chance encounter changes everything. When she meets a beautiful young prince at the market one day, she is profoundly moved by new emotions. But Zel's mother sees the future unfolding - and she will do the unspeakable to prevent Zel from leaving her.
©1996 Donna Jo Napoli; (P)2008 Penguin
Members Reviews:
A touching and compelling examination of a familiar fairy tale
The story of Rapunzel is perhaps one of the most psychologically intriguing of the Grimms Brothers fairy tales. A story of obsession, isolation, and the healing power of love, Rapunzel is my third favorite of the Grimms fairy tales; surpassed only by "Snow White" and "Hansel and Gretel."
Donna Jo Napoli has taken the story of Rapunzel and rewoven it into a psychological study that is both chilling and heartrending.
Zel lives with Mother in a remote cottage in Switzerland. She is a carefree young girl who loves her mother dearly. Mother has unusual abilities and talents when it comes to gardening, and she loves Zel with an unsurpassable desire. Zel cherishes the moments when she and Mother journey to town in order to buy supplies, but these visits are often mysterious. Often, Zel is unable to hear conversations of the villagers, and she is forbidden to socialize with people as well. One fateful day, Zel meets a young man in town, and her idyllic life drastically changes.
This novel is unforgettable as each chapter is told from a different perspective. The best chapters are the ones in which Mother gets to tell her own story. I felt great sympathy toward this character as well as repugnance at her actions. Napoli does a superb job of illustrating Zel's childhood innocence and awakening knowledge.
Katherine Byars reads this novel with vibrancy. Her depiction of Mother is wonderful! Please give this outstanding book a chance. God bless.
(Please look for my fantasy novel, Crimilia, which will be released on May 24, 2011. Thank you).
Follows the original
I started this book not realizing that this was a retelling of Rapunzel.
This book is told from the point of view of three characters. The first is the girl, Zel. She is named after her favorite lettuce, Rapunzel. The second character is simply known as mother. She who would sell her soul to be a mother. The third character is Konrad. He would give anything for the girl he meets in the market. The girl who captured his attention by her giving nature.
This book follows the tradition of a fairy tale, it has a dark quality. I was hooked by Napoli's writing. She knows how to enchant through the written word. She doesn't hold back on describing the anguish of the characters. Each of them fight inner demons that make the story more interesting.
Because of some of the subject matter, I would only recommend to readers 16+.
Four Stars
Product As Expected
overall the book came in a quite nice readable condition and the cover look exactly the same ...
I was expecting a hardback edition of this book but I received a paperback instead. But it's ok, overall the book came in a quite nice readable condition and the cover look exactly the same as the hardback edition that I read back in my early teenage years.
Rapunzel revisited
Zel is a retelling of the Rapunzel fairy tale.
