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Bibliography
Hale, Shannon and Dean. Illustrated by Nathan Hale. Rapunzel’s Revenge. New York: NY Bloomsbury. ISBN 1-59990-070-X
Plot summary
A graphic novel fairy tale set in the Old West, Rapunzel escapes from her tower, takes on a sidekick named Jack, and fights her way back home to face Mother Goethel and free the oppressed people under Goethel’s rule.
Critical Analysis
While this fresh spin on a traditional tale starts with “Once upon a time,” the story veers promptly off the familiar fairy-tale path and into the old wild West filled with wild creatures, dangerous outlaws, double crossers, and hangin’ trees. Having been raised by powerful Mother Goethel in an impenetrable grand villa, Rapunzel scales the walls on her 12th birthday and discovers the impoverished, barren landscape outside the lush villa where the citizens (including Rapunzel’s real mother) are enslaved in Goethel’s mines. When spunky Rapunzel confronts Goethel, her life of luxury at the villa ends, and she is imprisoned for years far away in a barren tower in a magical forest. The plot thickens as fast as Rapunzel’s braids when she determines to escape and rescue her real mother using her now 20-foot long lasso-like braids as weapons. Her journey back to Goethel’s realm leads her into the companionship of thieving side-kick Jack (beanstalk and magical goose owner) and into the path of increasingly dangerous henchmen hired and controlled by Goethel’s dark magic.
Shannon and Dean Hale’s use of first person narrative bring readers into the heart of “Punzie” where we witness her compassion and insatiable determination that accompany her outwardly sassy wit. Filled with outlandish characters, rollicking western dialogue and euphemisms, and the bright colors and detailed artwork of Nathan Hale, this fairy tale twist gives readers of all ages a rootin’ tootin’ ride and a satisfying ending where justice is served and the gal gets the guy.
