Mary McMyne

In the year 1219, Haelewise is 78 years old and sets down the story of her life and how she became known as Mother Gothel after the tower in which she lives. Famous for allegedly kidnapping Rapunzel, Haelewise tells us her story from childhood into adulthood and old age.

The book immediately gave me Kate Forsyth Bitter Greens vibes and was on track to be a five star read with descriptions like this setting the scene of 12th Century Germany:

"I noticed for the first time their brightly dyed show more kirtles, the stilted way they spoke diutsch. Their long, ribboned braids, which my mother called corpse-braids because they were extended with hair from the dead. They were courtiers' wives." Page 64

Reading like a fairytale, Haelewise is a compelling character who suffers from light sensitivity and fainting spells. Living with the fear she may be accused of being possessed by a demon if she has a fit in public, I particularly admired her grit and determination after the death of her mother despite an uncaring and barely-there father.

Having studied under her mother as a midwife, Haelewise travels to an ancient tower to seek out the wise woman who lives there and offer her skills as an apprentice. I would have been happy to follow Haelewise and every step of her apprenticeship as a healer (reminding me of The Binding in many ways) but the author cranks up the story and instead it becomes a quest novel of sorts.

Essentially a retelling of Rapunzel's story from the witch's perspective, The Book of Gothel has all of the elements of a fairytale; a young girl in trouble; an old wise woman and healer; loss of a parent; an ancient tower; creepy woods; a castle fit for a King; a special horse; spells; dark magic and an evil prince.

The Book of Gothel by Mary McMyne is recommended for historical fiction readers, Kate Forsyth fans and those who enjoy a good fairytale re-telling. show less

As a kid I loved fairy tails, truth be told I still do. I remember a collection of Golden Books and books by The Brothers Grimm sitting on the bookshelf in my bedroom. I have reread many of the classics and each time I discover something I had missed on previous readings so when offered “The Book of Gothel” I was interested to see how the retelling of “Rapunzel” was going to be handled. As it turns out very well.

1219, Haelwise, daughter-of-Hedda, in her seventy-eighth year, records show more her history, admitting to what might be considered heresy, from the famous tower of Gothel. In this prequel, Mary McMyne has done an admirable job of capturing the essence of the Brother’s Grimm original story from another viewpoint. It has the darkness and harsh reality of the times in which the characters lived. This is not a sanitized version and all the more admirable for holding true. The story embraces the woman’s side on all things and most of the men are painted with a less than sympathetic brush. Superb research and submersion in language and dialog of the time with just one or two slips into modern verbiage. This book is a new/old fairy tale and it is a triumph.

Thank you Redhook Books/Hachette Book Group and NetGalley for a copy. show less

excellent, well-researched prequel to the fairy tale Rapunzel, set in the German Black Forest in the 12th century, and describing the incompatibility of medieval religious thinking and treatment of women with the fading pagan traditions being suppressed. the social history of the period is beautifully detailed, and the characters are quite interesting. the actual fairy tale and its attendant magic subtly winds itself around this solid historical center.

This book had an slow start, but the plot picked up about a third of the way in and I found myself really enjoying the tale. I appreciated the allusions to better know fairy tales and legends alongside actual historical figures. An interesting and engaging read.