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A Curse Dark As Gold
| Our Price |
$ 8.29
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| Retail Value |
$ 9.99 |
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$ 1.70 (17%) |
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| Item Number |
956532 |
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Item Description...
Overview
Upon the death of her father, Charlotte struggles to keep the family's mill running in the face of an overwhelming mortgage, but when a man capable of spinning straw into gold appears on the scene she must decide if his help is worth the price.
Publishers Description
The gold thread promises Charlotte Miller a chance to save her family's beloved woolen mill. It promises a future for her sister, jobs for her townsfolk, security against her grasping uncle -- maybe even true love. To get the thread, Charlotte must strike a bargain with its maker, the mysterious Jack Spinner. But the gleam of gold conjures a shadowy past -- secrets ensnaring generations of Millers. And Charlotte's mill, her family, her love -- what do those matter to a stranger who can spin straw into gold? This is an award-winning and wholly original retelling of "Rumplestiltskin." As if it were a roving of wool! Rosie and I stood there and watched him, moment by moment, as the spindle bobbed and twirled. Something pulled out from the brown straw and through his knobby fingers, and where it shoudl have gone onto the spindle, the finest strands of gleaming gold threads appeared. Round and round the spindle went, and the gleaming of gold turned with it. I don't know how long we watched it, turning and turning, flashing gold with every revolution. I could not take my eyes away. |
Item Specifications...
Pages 395
Dimensions: Length: 0.75" Width: 5.5" Height: 8.25"
Weight: 0.75 lbs.
Binding Softcover
Release Date May 1, 2010
ISBN 0439895774
EAN 9780439895774
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Availability 3 units.
Availability accurate as of May 24, 2012 03:48.
Usually ships within one to two business days from Commerce GA.
Orders shipping to an address other than a confirmed Credit Card / Paypal Billing address may incur and additional processing delay.
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Reviews - What do our customers think?
 | Worth the investment in reading it Dec 10, 2009 |
| It's hard to miss the fact this is a retelling of Rumpelstiltskin. It's on the back of the book, and in just about every review. However, given that only one of the five teens I asked had more than the foggiest notion of the Rumpelstiltskin tale, I want to let readers know: It's a beautiful and atmospheric book all on its own. It is a dense and rich story, and if you want something to breeze through, pass this by until a cold and rainy afternoon, when giving the story some concentration will bring you rich return. I loved the depth of the characters, and from the descriptions, I could picture the Gold Valley and the uncle and his jaunty blue frock coat and the falling down pieces of Stirwaters. If you are reader with above-average expectations for your books, and if you are willing to give this story the bit of extra time it deserves, give A CURSE AS DARK AS GOLD a try. Don't miss the Author's Note at the end--it adds much to the experience. | | |  | Ultimately a good read Apr 29, 2009 |
I love retellings, so when I saw A Curse Dark as Gold, by Elizabeth Bunce, I knew I had to read it.
The story was intriguing and the author is brilliant. There were times, however, when I found myself wondering when something exciting was going to happen. I was surprised to see I had made it so far in to the book and still had no idea where the story was going.
Bunce's deput novel is dark and sinister, but then again, so is the tale of Rumpelstiltskin. I found myself wondering when Charlotte was going to catch a break. I was irritated with her for continually pushing Randall away.
The ending was gratifying, and ultimately made the book well worth reading, and I was satisified when I finished.
I definitely recommend this book. There may be times when you just have to muscle your way through another heartbreak or tragedy for the Miller family, but stick with it. You won't be disappointed. | | | | Loved it! Apr 12, 2009 |
This retelling of Rumpelstiltskin immediately reeled me in. The details of the mill operation brought the story to life, even though I didn't know all the milling terms used. Looking back on it now, I think a diagram or two of the milling machines could have helped me keep the terms straight as I read. Hopefully in future editions, they will devote a page or two at the front to something like that.
A lot of fairy tale retellings can be unimaginative, but this retelling is fresh and original. That's saying a lot for a story whose bones have been around for ages.
I also loved the strong female character who doesn't go running to the men in her life to solve all her problems. And she's a small businesswoman, to boot!
This is an excellent first novel from Bunce, and more than deserving of this year's Morris YA Debut Award. | | | | a great read for lovers of fairy-tale retellings Mar 10, 2009 |
| This book is perfect for fans of Gail Carson Levine and Shannon Hale's fairy-tale retellings. This particular book uses the tale of Rumplestiltzken as a starting point, although the familiar fairy tale provides inspiration and not an exact plot outline. The author combines romance, suspence, mystery, and historical details in her version which takes place around the time of the Industrial Revolution. The details of the millers' life seem very authentic and the romance between the young heroine and her "prince," in this case a banker (!) is very appealing. | | | | Excellent writing, though a bit darker than I like Feb 5, 2009 |
This book is a re-telling of the Rumpelstiltskin fairy tale, though many of the details are different from the tale I read as a child. The story set in a country on the verge of an industrial revolution, and the vivid details of the working of the mill bring the story alive. The other world-building details and the pacing are also excellent.
The characters are varied, interesting, and engaging. I found myself really caring about the characters, which was emotionally difficult since there was also a pervading feeling of pain, darkness, and hopelessness in the story. I kept feeling like the heroine couldn't possibly win out even though I knew she had to. The story did have a satisfying ending.
There was no explicit sex, though the heroine obviously has some because she has two children after she's married. There are ghosts in the story. The magic involved is folk superstitions--curses, hex symbols, corn dollies, and the like--but treated as if they were real.
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