Napoli, Donna Jo. The Magic Circle. Puffin Books, 1993.
Reason read: I read somewhere that August is National Fantasy Month. I have no idea if that is true.
This is the retelling of Hansel and Gretel from the viewpoint of the wicked witch. She is simply called Ugly One in Magic Circle. She may be ugly but Napoli wants you to think she has a good heart. Ugly One starts off as a loving single parent to a daughter named Asa and works as a healer blessed with magic powers. She is able to bring sick people back to health and dangerous pregnancies back from the brink of death. Her reputation as a sorceress borders on evil because with great powers comes temptations and an easy fall from grace. When the Ugly One starts accumulating gems and jewels as payment for her services, greed sets in. All she can see is her daughter clothed in wealth; “diamonds on the soles of her shoes.” Blinded by a gem, she makes a deal with the devil and her fate is at once sealed. She becomes a true witch who cannot bleed or cry; banished to live in the deep woods as a hermit and destine to eat small children. Enter Hansel and Gretel. Are they Asa’s children?
As an aside, the number nine seems to be important. Peter reads to the Ugly One for nine years and the Ugly One lives alone in her sugar cottage for nine years before Hansel and Gretel come along. I am sure there is religious significance with the number nine.
As another aside, the character of Bala reminded me of Iago. I never knew if I could trust her even though the Ugly One called her a friend.
Line I liked, “Forgiveness is a little thing when love is there” (p 114).
Author fact: I have four books by Donna Jo Napoli on my Challenge list. I have already read Spinners, Crazy Jack and now The Magic Circle. All that is left is Zel.
Book trivia: The Magic Circle is short – less than 200 pages long.
Nancy said: Pearl said The Magic Circle is a good read for teenage girls.
BookLust Twist: from More Book Lust in the chapter called “Fractured Fairytales” (p 93).
~*LunaSea*~ 