And the Miller's Daughter Gets a Name

I  just finished Elizabeth C. Bunce's A Curse as Dark as Gold. This is yet another book that I might not have read if not for the recommendation of my awesome book club, and I found it to be remarkable.

A Curse... is a breathtaking retelling of the Rumplestiltskin fairy tale. It is paced for maximum suspense, and the characters--heroes and villains alike--are sympathetic and multi-layered. Each gets her or his own back story, which to me denotes a great deal of thought and care on the part of the author. Very impressive work, especially for a debut.  What I loved most about this book is the way that the entire story is infused with a feminist perspective, even if the thoughts and actions might not have been historically accurate. Charlotte, the protagonist, as well as her sister Rosie and the town midwife Biddy Tom are fierce, brave, independent women and Woodstone, the love interest, is a dream come true as a partner for Charlotte. I absolutely loved him. As did I love this description of their wedding night (from pp. 186-187):

So it was Delight or nowhere, and I must admit that I was not sorry to share the little pleasures of that lovely village with my worldly husband. Although I did point out that even the innumerable charms of Delight would be long exhausted by the end of our fortnight, he merely laughed and said I didn't understand the purpose of a honeymoon.

And, indeed, he was quite convincing about that; and all I shall record here is that we missed both breakfast and the luncheon buffet at the hotel our first day, and that I came to understand why so many young wives produce children three-quarters of a year after their weddings.

What Bunce conveys, in just those few coy, elegant sentences, is how Charlotte would come to produce the son central to the plot, but also hints that she had a good time doing it. High five for a fun, sexy honeymoon in olden times!

Feminist retellings in the YA sphere are nothing new, but this one stands out because it is so meticulously researched, lovingly written, and exciting to read. I definitely need to step outside my reading comfort zone more often - thanks again, Misfits, for the recommendation.

Written material © 2008 Dawn Emerman