Rapunzel

"Rapunzel" is one of my favorite fairy tales. Its themes of love, obsession, betrayal, and the healing power of compassion are both timeless and compelling. Paul O. Zelinsky's picture book is probably the best version I know, and though it came out when I was only seven, I can still remember the excitement surrounding its release and the subsequent announcement that it had won the Caldecott. At that age I was surprised to find that the heroine lived not in a gray, run-down tower in the middle of a scary Germanic wood but in a luxurious one, with a more Italianate setting; Zelinsky, however, has good reasons for these changes, as I will demonstrate later.

The illustrations, of course, are of primary interest. These oil paintings are show more sumptuous, and seem to present a higher, more romanticized form of reality, not dissimilar to those of Zelinsky's Renaissance era predecessors. As another reviewer mentioned, the attention to detail is astounding—I spent one whole reading just noting where the witch's cat showed up.

But this book is important from a textual standpoint as well. In his afterword, Zelinsky traces the history of the tale, outlining the various forms it took before the Brothers Grimm heard it, as well as the changes they made to it. This makes for fascinating reading, and the research enhances his retelling. Since the first appearance of the Rapunzel myth was in Italy, he incorporates many regional features in his illustrations; he also restores elements from the pre-Grimm versions, such as the marriage ceremony in the tower. I for one had never seen the inclusion of a window-hook before reading this—a fascinating solution to the age-old hair vs. physics problem!

Highly recommended to both fairy tale enthusiasts and those simply looking for a beautiful, well-written picture book. show less

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The story of Rapunzel, as retold by Paul O. Zelinsky, is a magnificent ode to Renaissance era art, the Brothers Grimm, and the beautifully depicted visual narrative that complex relationships between characters and a coming-of-age story of a young girl. The narrative of this retelling is captured masterfully through the detailed oil paintings Zelinsky creates to portray his ideal version of the age-old tale. Visually, this has to be my favorite retelling of Rapunzel and my favorite children's version. Zelinsky continues to intrigue me and is one of the few oil painters that stands out and reminds me of the greatness of the old artists.

This beautifully illustrated classic fairy tale follows the life of an innocent young woman imprisoned in a tower and the handsome prince she risks everything to be with. Minimally adapted from the traditional earthy Brothers Grimm text, the real focus on this retelling is the faux-Renaissance art. The artist uses Italian Renaissance techniques to show perspective and create decoration, sometimes reproducing famous tableaux, such as Da Vinci's Madonna and Child with Saint John the Baptist. The bright, saturated colors, expressive faces and meticulous attention to detail make this picture book visually fascinating. Zelinsky uses repetition of key words and phrases to tie the story together. He lyrically signals a pregnancy by telling us show more that the expectant mother " felt her dress grow tight around her waist", and describes the labors of a man on behalf of the woman he loves by saying, "he circled the tower/wall ten times, twenty times but found no entrance". Other take-offs on famous works of art include Sir Francis Dicksee's Romeo and Juliet and Boticelli's Zephyr and Cloris from the Birth of Venus. Perhaps the most beautiful painting in the book is double-page spread where Rapunzel and the Prince reunite in the wilderness.

Zelinsky stays away from the Disneyfication of this classic tale, but addresses issues of sex and pregnancy with the utmost delicacy. The sparse but emotive dialogue collapses complex relationships into a few carefully-chosen lines and the entire story--fantastic though it is--contains a gentle humanity. Recommended for grades 1 through 4. show less

Zelinsky’s Rapunzel adaptation takes elements from the French, Italian, and German versions of the fairy tale. His illustrations are amazing – in the style of Italian Renaissance art – with realistically rendered people, gorgeous landscapes, and lots of tiny details. The story, however, is just one that doesn’t appeal to me because it is just too fantastical. I don’t mind reading fantasy; on the contrary, I enjoy it when it’s well done. But Rapunzel is just full of things that don’t make sense – like a woman dying for want of parsley or a sorceress who without reason decides to lock her 12-year-old adopted daughter in a tall tower in the forest. In addition, at least some of it seems to be over the heads of its intended show more audience – for instance, the sorceress getting mad at Rapunzel when her dress is too tight around the waist (aka, she is pregnant). If I had to grade this book, I would say A+ for the illustrations and maybe a C+ for the narrative. show less

This retelling of the fairy tale Rapunzel is gorgeously illustrated by the author by paintings in a Renaissance style in a reflection of the tale’s Italian origins. Similarly, the settings look decidedly Tuscan.

The author provides a history of the fairy tale in his Afterword.

While this picture book is for older children, even they may not understand the reference to Rapunzel’s pregnancy or even how it happened. But using the lovely story and the illustrations, adults could even use it as an opportunity to get into the birds and the bees.

(Included in the Red Fairy Book)

An excellent retelling of the story of Rapunzel with beautiful illustrations, but not necessarily child-friendly. Parents will want to read this on their own first, as some questionable things come up, such as blinding a man.

When Rapunzel's mom is pregnant, she gets a craving for the herb Rapunzel. Her husband sneaks into a garden next door to get her this herb, but he is caught by a witch. He explains that his pregnant wife needs the herb or she feels like she may die. The witch allows him to take the herb as long as she can have the first born child. The witch takes Rapunzel away and locks her in a tower. One day a prince is riding by and hears her singing. He knows how to go up to see Rapunzel because he had seen the witch call for Rapunzel to let down her hair. He does the same, and he goes up to meet her. They get married quickly. Later Rapunzel tells the witch her dress is tight, and she realizes Rapunzel is pregnant. Outraged, she throws her out of show more the tower and banishes her to a forest. She believes that the prince will not be able to find her, but he does, and they go to his kingdom to live happily ever after. This is a good book to read to children because it's a classic and many children enjoy princess stories. Rapunzel was always a story I liked to read as a kid, so other children would probably feel the same. In a version I used to read it said that the witch made Rapunzel's mom crave the herb, and I wish this version would've too because it adds to her evil character. show less