The book, Zel by Donna Jo Napoli, is a retelling of the folktale Rapunzel. Although promoted and cataloged with teen books, this novella explores mature themes. The story is presented from three different perspectives – the mother’s, Zel’s and the handsome young male’s. Napoli explores the motives of the characters, thus changing the story from a traditional plot driven folktale to a more character driven story form. Serious issues are explored such as the psychological damage to Zel after years of isolation, teen sex and a mother’s excessive love. Napoli keeps the story believable with munddane and pedestrian details. For example, when the ‘prince’ rides up to the tower he is engulfed in the odor of sewage – which Zel has been dumping from her single window.
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