Module 13: "Rapunzel's Revenge" by Shannon Hale

Book Cover Image:

 Book Summary:                                    www.amazon.com

This is a graphic novel that re-energizes the classic fairy tale of Rapunzel. The story takes place in the old west.  Rapunzel, a young girl, discovers that the woman who has raised her is not in fact her mother, but an evil witch who is the wicked ruler of the land.  Rapunzel tries to escape but is captured and imprisoned in a high tower, with a curse put on her, that of her hair growing to endless lengths.  In the classic tale, Rapunzel waits for the handsome prince to rescue her by climbing up her long tassels, but in this version, she does not wait around for a man.  She frees herself using her own braids and then in true western style, sets about defeating the witch by using her hair as a lariat Along the way she meets a scamp named Jack who just happens to have a goose that lays amazing eggs, and they go off on a grand adventure, travelling through deserts and forests, and righting wrongs.

APA Reference:  
Hale, S. (2008).  Rapunzel’s revenge, Bedford Square, London: Bloomsbury USA Children

 My Impressions:

I am not a huge fan of graphic novels but Rapunzel’s Revenge is a very entertaining book.  The age level recommended is 9-12, but I think any young adult and even adults would enjoy this spunky new version of an old classic.  The story is complete in one book and does not continue on in a series.  The illustrations are wonderful and Hale has the perfect blend of comedic illustration and text to keep the reader interested and laughing all the way through the book.  I enjoyed the strong female role here too – very inspiring to young women.

Professional Review:

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.

[Review of the book Rapunzel’s Revenge, by S. Hale].  (2008, September 1). Booklist,
 105(1).  100.  Retrieved from http://www.booklist.com.

Library Uses:

This book would be great to read as an alternative fairy tale in a middle school setting or to display in the Juvenile or YA reading section of the library with the graphic novels.