The 1970’s: a groovy age of disco balls, bell bottoms, and humongous hair. And in the story of Rapunzel, it’s all about the hair! Author Lynn Roberts puts a unique twist on this fairy tale that is as hip and funky as the 70’s were. Rapunzel is not locked up in a tower, but in an old abandoned apartment building with a broken elevator. She is not raised by an evil witch, but Aunt Esme (who’s license plate on her motorcycle says “EV1L”). And the brave, handsome prince who tries to save Rapunzel turns out to be a regular guy named Roger who rides a bicycle with platform shoes on and sings in a local rock music band.
One day when Roger stops to fix his bike on the way to school, he hears Aunt Esme call out:
“Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair!”
Over the top floor balcony floats a long braid and Aunt Esme climbs up. Future rock-star Roger vows to meet the girl with the gloriously red long hair so they can make beautiful music together. This book is recommended for those looking for alternative fairy tales.
For more fairy tales with a bit of a twist, read the reviews for Cinderella: An Art Deco Love Story and Lon Po Po: A Red Riding Hood Tale from Chinaposted on this website (see links below).