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mariahistryingtoread's review against another edition
2.0
This is very reminiscent of Spinners also by Donna Jo Napoli with Richard Tchen.
It's to be expected since it's the same author but what I really mean is that it's equally as unsatisfying.
It's a plain-faced retelling of Rapunzel. There are some interesting psychological aspects I feel were well done. Outside of that it's not particularly special. The writing style limits the amount of exploration that can be done on the topic as it's simplistic and lacking in varied prose.
Zel adds enough extraneous development I feel it was better than Spinners, but it's not like that's hard. The two are extraordinarily similar to the point I'd say if you didn't like Spinners don't bother with Zel. Yes, it is somewhat more enjoyable. No, I don't think it's worth reading.
It's to be expected since it's the same author but what I really mean is that it's equally as unsatisfying.
It's a plain-faced retelling of Rapunzel. There are some interesting psychological aspects I feel were well done. Outside of that it's not particularly special. The writing style limits the amount of exploration that can be done on the topic as it's simplistic and lacking in varied prose.
Zel adds enough extraneous development I feel it was better than Spinners, but it's not like that's hard. The two are extraordinarily similar to the point I'd say if you didn't like Spinners don't bother with Zel. Yes, it is somewhat more enjoyable. No, I don't think it's worth reading.
amethystarchild's review against another edition
2.0
“Zel” by Donna Jo Napoli is a retelling of the Rapunzel fairy tale in the Swiss Alps. Zel’s mother loves her adopted daughter very much, and can’t bear to part with her. So when it appears that Zel might have fallen in love she locks her up in a tower for two years, until the count she had fallen in love with finds her. They consummate their relationship, but Zel’s mother finds out and sends her far away and blinds the count. In the end Zel returns to her homeland with her two daughters and she finds her husband again and heals his eyes with her tears.
Content Warnings:
-Passionate kissing and implied sex.
Possible Triggers: Barrenness, controlling parents, promiscuity.
I enjoyed “Zel” alright, but the style of narration in 2nd person was a little confusing at first. It was basically just a point by point retelling of Rapunzel, just with a little more back story. It was nice enough, but not very interesting or as engaging as it could have been. I like the characters well enough, they were all complex and did change as the book progressed, becoming more mature, or gaining new insight. The love story was sweet enough, but did feel rushed. I recommend that younger readers avoid this retelling because there was some off-putting themes that would be better for a slightly more mature reader.
Content Warnings:
-Passionate kissing and implied sex.
Possible Triggers: Barrenness, controlling parents, promiscuity.
I enjoyed “Zel” alright, but the style of narration in 2nd person was a little confusing at first. It was basically just a point by point retelling of Rapunzel, just with a little more back story. It was nice enough, but not very interesting or as engaging as it could have been. I like the characters well enough, they were all complex and did change as the book progressed, becoming more mature, or gaining new insight. The love story was sweet enough, but did feel rushed. I recommend that younger readers avoid this retelling because there was some off-putting themes that would be better for a slightly more mature reader.
ladyanne's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
follypotter's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
windsinger's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
amyappy's review against another edition
4.0
Intriguing and lovely retelling of the Rapunzel story. I love the WAY in which Napoli retells the old fairytale as much (such beautiful prose!) as much as the actual story, which both surprises and makes you (or at least me) giggle in recognition. Being a little older, I did find myself slightly alarmed by the incredible... youngness of the characters--but it is a YA book, and it is set in the 1500s, so perhaps not so strange. Loved it then, still love it now.
mel_emzo's review against another edition
5.0
I cannot say enough good things about this interpretation of Rapunzel.
A beautiful study of Mother Gothel's motives and flaws.
A relatable, deep, and physiological study of the effects of an isolated life.
Short and poignant. A miniature masterpiece in a gallery of murals.
A beautiful study of Mother Gothel's motives and flaws.
A relatable, deep, and physiological study of the effects of an isolated life.
Short and poignant. A miniature masterpiece in a gallery of murals.
nssutton's review against another edition
4.0
what i wrote for class
I think it's a very dark tale on what it means to be an adolescent, a story of the deepest betrayal. I found it far creepier than Coraline, as Zel's mother turns into the other mother before her very eyes without any warning. I know we've spoken about absentee parents in previous weeks, but I can't quite recall if I've been in a thread that touched on bad parenting. It was difficult to read their interactions once Zel was in the tower, to realize that the mother was so intent on giving her daughter what she thought she should have that she missed exactly what was needed. And the small sadist in me is glad that it's not a perfectly happy ending, that until the last paragraph the two have to overcome all sorts of trials to reach everlasting love.
At the half-way point, about when Zel gets locked into the tower, I flipped to the back and realized this book had been in the Main Library's juvenile section. While the writing is simple and easy to follow, I found the themes to be so incredible for such younger readers. It had a higher check-out rate than I would have though, considering where it had been shelved, but then again Donna Jo Napoli has a wealth of solid books to her name. I would use this as a particular example in any argument for the definitite need of a YA section for YA readers.
I think it's a very dark tale on what it means to be an adolescent, a story of the deepest betrayal. I found it far creepier than Coraline, as Zel's mother turns into the other mother before her very eyes without any warning. I know we've spoken about absentee parents in previous weeks, but I can't quite recall if I've been in a thread that touched on bad parenting. It was difficult to read their interactions once Zel was in the tower, to realize that the mother was so intent on giving her daughter what she thought she should have that she missed exactly what was needed. And the small sadist in me is glad that it's not a perfectly happy ending, that until the last paragraph the two have to overcome all sorts of trials to reach everlasting love.
At the half-way point, about when Zel gets locked into the tower, I flipped to the back and realized this book had been in the Main Library's juvenile section. While the writing is simple and easy to follow, I found the themes to be so incredible for such younger readers. It had a higher check-out rate than I would have though, considering where it had been shelved, but then again Donna Jo Napoli has a wealth of solid books to her name. I would use this as a particular example in any argument for the definitite need of a YA section for YA readers.