Gretel

by V. Booke

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When Hansel & Gretel's overbearing stepmother convinces their father to sell them, Gretel and her brother flee through the forbidden forest, leaving behind the only world they've ever known. As the two make their way through the woodlands, they begin to realize why no one ever returns from the forbidden forest. Author note: This is a short story.

Genres: Ebooks, Fairy Tales

ebook

First published October 23, 2012

About the author

USA TODAY Bestselling Author Vanessa Booke, writing as V. Booke.

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty interesting re-telling with a big twist ending. I definitely want to know how the story continues in the first book.

[Anne Conley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet, well…maybe not so sweet. This short story by Vanessa Booke was a refreshing change from what I've been reading. A retelling of Hansel and Gretel, it stays true to the story I remember from my childhood, with more realistic aspects. The story, as I remember and fear it, is this: Hansel and Gretel were being raised by their father who remarried. They were all poor, and in attempt to get more food, the stepmother sent them out to get lost and die in the woods. They left a trail of pebbles and found their way back. The next day, they do the same, only they forget stones, and leave a trail of breadcrumbs, which the birds promptly eat up. Lost and alone in the woods, they are saved by the magical appearance of a candy house. An old witch lives within, and promptly cages Hansel, while putting Gretel to work fattening up her brother to eat and performing chores around the cottage. Gretel eventually shoves the witch into the stove and frees Hansel. The house disappears and is replaced with a treasure, which they take back home to dad. I can't remember what happens to the stepmom.

In Mrs. Booke's version, the grisly tone of the piece is the same. Details are eloquent, and characterization is strong, especially with Gretel. The POV is Gretel's, and the reader sees her emotions as she battles the forces of evil, namely her stepmother and the witch (which in my vivid childhood imagination, held the same face). The ending is a bit different, which is good because it sets the story up for an epic continuation that I can't wait for.

There were some places where I thought detail could have been elaborated on for a better mood-setting quality, but overall, I thought it was a great story. I will probably read it to my daughter.

[Ragne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would be cool, if it wasn't so short. I would love it if it started before things got so bad at home for the twins, that she would talk about the mines and make a story about them so the reader would know more about them than just that they were bad. She could elongate the walk in the woods, the imprisonment, and maybe tell us what happened after. This could easily become a full novel. Looking forward to it, hope it comes out soon, and will tell us more about all of the above.

[Stephanie (Bookfever) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This short story, which is supposed to a prequel to the full book, was the best out there and a bit rushed but likable. Very shocking turn of events too, actually, considering we all know the story of Hansel and Gretel but that's why it's a retelling, I guess.
Can't wait to read the full story!

[Bridget's Quiet Corner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed the book more than I thought I would. I would have finished sooner but got sleepy. Quick and easy read. Looking forward to reading other books by her.

[Michele Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I rated it 3 stars instead of higher because it's just so short. it does read like a book opening, and I would have kept reading. the prose is a nice mix of vivid and momentum.

[J.k. Scrawling · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vanessa Booke’s Gretel is short, but not nearly sweet enough. The concept had me right away, so much so that I didn’t even realize at first that Gretel was a short story preluding a larger project. Booke is clearly going for that mature fairytale tone that is so popular right now with Once Upon a Time, Snow White and the Huntsman, and Red Riding Hood as some obvious examples.

Booke succeeds in drawing you into the setting, adding a bit of mystery to the standard tale. The story she sets up is ripe with potential. My mind immediately warmed to the multiple possible directions the story could take. Unfortunately, I’m not sure Booke was aware of the full potential of her project.

Gretel, like most other ebooks, has its share of editing issues, but putting the need for a copyeditor aside, there are still some flaws worth noting. My biggest issue is that she seems to rush through the tale, not bothering with any character development. Fairytale adaptations are currently on trend and what people seem to particularly like about them is the depth given to the fabled characters. As children we’re used to simple, one-dimensional characters dealing with moral dilemmas on their way to happy endings. As we mature, we realize that everyone is flawed and we project that onto our literary heroes. Booke needs to think of her characters more like everyday people. The story is from Gretel’s perspective and we still don’t know much about who she really is by the end of the story, which is a bit ironic since it ends with her proclaiming her identity and finding strength in it.

I’m very curious to see how Booke’s full-length novel will present itself. Hansel & Gretel: With Hunters used the same source material for a lighter-toned action film while Bill Willingham’s Fables went a bit deeper with the sibling dynamic in their retelling with Hansel as a persecutor of witches and Gretel becoming a witch herself. Booke’s retelling seems to be heading in the direction of female empowerment, which I always prefer to clichéd gender roles. She offers a twist on the familiar ending, but the bulk of her adaptation is reminiscent of the original fable.

Gretel is an interesting premise that needs to be fleshed out more to really bring the tale to life. Hopefully Booke amps up the emotion and the drama for her full-length project. Her story is interesting, but it remains pregnant with possibilities rather than realizing its own potential.

Rating: 2.5 Stars

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great retelling! I really enjoyed it! Can't wait to read more from the author

[Angie Lisle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well-written and semi-violent but the violence isn't realistic.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short & sweet... not too much that was new. Ended abruptly... but a good short story.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really think that this book could be a novel. The details are wonderful and I want to read more of it.

[Viv · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know what to say about this book(?). Is more like a really short story. It says it a retelling of Hansel and Gretel, but it too similar apart from the ending. I'll give it 3 stars