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I really liked this short story collection when I was a child, and on my recent re-read, adult-me was not disappointed. These six retellings of Rumpelstiltskin are all different from each other in both content and tone, and some of them are really funny. They all stick to the main plot, but each one comes at it from a different angle. Highly recommended to anyone who likes fairy tale retellings, quirky stories, or a good laugh. ( )
What was WITH that BIZARRE fairy tale Rumpelstiltskin?
WHY would a miller claim that his daughter could spin straw into gold? WHY would the king believe him? And WHY would an odd little man that CAN spin straw into gold do so in exchange for a tiny gold ring? The story is just SILLY.
In an attempt to make sense of this wayward fairy tale, Vivian Vande Velde provides six alternative versions of the classic account, each of which is far more intriguing and revealing than the original. ( )
If you ever thought that the Rumpelstiltskin tale left something to be desired, then this is the book for you! Author Vivian Velde takes the story as it has come down to us through the ages, points out its weak spots, and then writes six alternative stories featuring Rumpelstiltskin. The tales vary much and there is sure to be one that appeals to you more than the original story. Anyone who likes fairy tales will enjoy this collection. ( )
As a lifelong lover of fairy tales and a fan of Once Upon a Time since its beginning (and hooked since Robert Carlyle graced my television screen as Rumpelstiltskin), I searched our library catalog on a whim to see what a keyword search of Rumpelstiltskin and discovered this gem of short stories published in 2000 through the Ohio Digital Library site. Vivian Vande Velde captured my attention immediately with the introduction about the "Rumpelstiltskin Problem" as she wittingly explained flaws in the original tale and then in the six stories she wrote, set about working out those problems with entertaining results. The stories "Straw Into Gold" and "The Domovoi" were my two personal favorites as the variations on the character of Rumpelstiltskin were sympathetic. Next in line would be the "As Good As Gold" story which sets the story from the king's viewpoint. "A Fairy Tale in Bad Taste" provides an unsavory reason for Rumpelstiltskin wanting a child; "Ms. Rumpelstiltskin" offers the character as a witch who dislikes being called "little man;" lastly, "Papa Rumpelstiltskin" shows what trouble bragging creates for the Miller with humorous results. ( )
Author is one of my favorites. In this she retells the Rumpelstiltskin story six different ways dealing with all the questions the story raises for us.
Once upon a time, before pizzarias or Taco Bells, there was a troll named Rumplestiltskin who began to wonder what a human baby would taste like. - A Fairy Tale In Bad Taste
One upon a time, in the days before Social Security or insurance companies, there lived a miller and his daughter, Della, who were fairly well-off and reasonably happy until the day their mill burned down. - Straw Into Gold
Once upon a time, before home security systems and trained guard dogs, if you lived in Russia the way to keep your house safe and happy was to have a domovoi living beneath your basement. - The Domovoi
Once upon a time, before bread was plastic-wrapped and sold in supermarkets, there lived a miller named Otto and his daughter, Christina. - Papa Rumplestiltskin
Once upon a time, before eyelash curlers and lip liner, there lived a very plain girl by the name of Rumplestiltskin. - Ms. Rumplestiltskin
Once upon a time, before movie stars or rock singers or professional athletes, the people everybody most wanted to meet were kings and queens. - As Good As Gold
None of the cats disagreed, so Rumplestiltskin decided that they were fine and clever cats, and he lived with them for many, many happy years. - The Domovoi
A collection of variations on the familiar story of a boastful miller and the daughter he claims can spin straw into gold.
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What is WITH that bizarre fairy tale Rumpelstiltskin? WHY would a miller claim that his daughter could spin straw into gold? WHY would the king believe him? And WHY would an odd little man that can spin straw into gold do so in exchange for a tiny gold ring? The story is just SILLY. In an attempt to make sense of this wayward fairy tale, Vivian Vande Velde provides six alternative versions of the classic account, each of which is far more intriguing and revealing than the original.
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