“My rating is 2.5 stars. I wish there was a rating somewhere between "I liked it" and "I didn't like it" - the "It was OK" rating. That's where I would put Spinners, the first book I've read by Donna Jo Napoli. In Spinners, Napoli has taken the tale of Rumpelstiltskin and fleshed it out, creating Rumpelstiltskin's side of the story, so-to-speak. The story is told in present tense (which I usually dislike as I always feel it reads somewhat awkwardly), and covers a number of years in the life of a young man who loses in love and the lives of those with whom his story is entwined.
Spinners is a fast read and, while it held my interest, I was left dissatisfied and slightly depressed. Other reviewers complained about the abrupt ending and recommended Napoli's other retold fairy tales, including Zel. While Spinners didn't make me want to seek out her other books, Napoli's writing is good, so I may take those reviewers’ advice and give her another try.
”
Mary wrote this review Sunday, July 5 2009.
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