Happier Rumpled



I have always loved fairytales: from the classic “Once upon a time”, to the many ways we recreate these stories in theatre, movies, books. Alas, I have never loved the tale of Rumpelstiltskin—never found meaning or motive behind the characters. Reading Rumpled, by Lacey Louwagie, has changed this. Louwagie has a way of making me take a deeper look at things I’ve brushed off (or purposely ignored—like Rumpelstiltskin). Louwagie’s story starts with the classic maiden-in-the-tower and misshapen magic-worker, but then her story has its own wings. This Rumpelstiltskin is a court jester who has promised to deliver a child to his mentor in exchange for learning the ultimate magic trick: altering his appearance. Louwagie’s fairytale for adults fills in what the traditional tale has always neglected: motive, heart, moral ambiguity, unrequited love, betrayal. Extremely skilled with discourse (a talent I’ve always admired), Louwagie gives this flat (and eerie) old tale several twists that, after reading, seem like they should have been there all along. I have nearly forgotten the bizarre dancing-in-the-woods-for-no-reason creepy little man: this is the story the Grimms should have written. Full disclosure: I know the author and have followed her writing for years. However, if you read my blog regularly, you know I’m very selective and only blog about books I really enjoyed. Rumpled is available in print, and as an ebook, at Amazon.com on March 3rd—so start your March with a new old story!


(click the links to see Rumpled trailers; amazing what tech-savvy people can do for literature!)
http://animoto.com/play/cwftDnulp1QuIl1z0njs5g
http://animoto.com/play/32HKfPNQ4kboTBvhHZiPmg

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