See, in Mass’s version, Rapunzel wasn’t raised by the witch. The first thing we notice about Rapunzel is that she’s nearly twelve years old and still living with her parents, which, if you’ll recall, runs a bit counter to the typical Rapunzel story.
For purposes of clarity, though, as I summarize, I’m not going to alternate perspectives.
It’s not the best example of multiple narratives I’ve read, but it serves its purpose in the story. She chooses in this novel to alternate narratives between Rapunzel and Prince Benjamin, which I don’t hate. She has I think three of these fairy tale novels, and while they’re not the most life-changing or deep adaptations I’ve ever read, she does manage to adapt the stories for a younger audience without dumbing them down at all, and she makes the characters very relatable to the target readers. She writes for the 9-12 audience, and she does so very well. Once their paths cross, well, that’s when things REALLY get strange. Both Rapunzel and Prince Benjamin are trapped – in very different ways. His father wants him to be more kingly, his mother wants him to never leave her sight, and his cousin wants to get him into as much trouble as possible (preferably with a troll). Prince Benjamin’s got it pretty bad, too. She’s been stolen by a witch, may have a ghost for a roommate, and doesn’t even have a decent brush for her hair. Summary: Rapunzel is having the ultimate bad day. Rapunzel: The One with All the Hair by Wendy Mass
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