A Stunning RAPUNZEL (by Alix Berenzy)

As much as I hate to admit it, I think Alix Berenzy has probably out-done the famous Brothers Grimm with this version of the story.

Of all the many versions of this particular work I have seen and read over the years, this is beyond a doubt the best. The art work is absolutely stunning and almost flawless. The work is not a crisp as some might like, but I enjoy this sort of effect. This is truly a beautiful edition and the book is almost a piece of art within itself. The illustrations fit the story perfectly.

The story sticks pretty much to the original, although there are some variations. These variations have not, as so many modern versions of the Brothers Grimm tales have, been “cleaned up” to make it politically correct or less harsh for the young reader. There is still some pretty grim stuff with this addition. The reality, so to speak, and the rewording and mild twisting of the story have not been hurt one bit. Some of the archaic wording has been changed a bit, and is actually helpful for the modern reader. And the purest need not worry too much in this area though.

That being said, the story is still one that the parent might want to read with the child at first, particularly if the child is a younger reader, as there are aspects of the story that probably need some explanation. Some of the more graphic details of the story have been “smoothed over” just a bit, but really, not all that much.

All in all, I recommend this version/edition quite highly. If you like the stories of the Brothers Grimm, then I am quite certain you will enjoy this one. Please keep in mind that I am one of those "purists" I mentioned above. While I still think the original should be read to the young ones, I find this version quite adequate and it has the advantage of having some great art work thrown in.

Don Blankenship

The Ozarks

Rapunzel