Review:
Rapunzel's revenge by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale
Ill. by Nathan
Hale. Bloomsbury, 2008. ISBN 9780747587439
(Age 9+) Highly recommended. If you like feisty heroines, adventure and
a touch of humour then the graphic novel,
Rapunzel's Revenge is
the
book for you. In an unique take on the fairytale Rapunzel, Shannon and
Dale Hale have produced a wonderful story about a girl who has lived in
a walled castle with Gothel, the woman she thought was her mother. She
has a happy life, learning rope tricks from the guards and swinging
from trees. When she discovers that her real mother works as a slave in
the mines and questions the evil Gothel; she is imprisoned in a
hollowed-out room at the top of a tall tree for her insubordination.
Finally she escapes using her long locks as a rope. And then her
adventures begin as she sets off to rescue her mother and save the
country from the cruel Gothel.
The authors haven't portrayed a beautiful princess waiting in her tower
for the handsome prince to come and rescue her. Instead Rapunzel is a
hair-toting cowgirl who uses her braids as lasso and whip and manages
to outwit guards, outlaws and ornery old codgers out to get her. With
her companion, Jack and his goose, she uses her long locks as a weapon
to ward off evil doers.
Nathan Hale's illustrations are a visual feast that make the heroine
come alive and give a vivid background to the story which is full of
witty asides and laugh aloud humour. Combine this with a droll
retelling of the fairy tale, lots of action and a touch of
romance and you have a winning combination.
Pat Pledger
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Consulting, 2007