Zel by Donna Jo Napoli Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Zel
Book Review: Teen Opinion
Summary: 3 Stars
I didnt really like Zel. I thought that it had a very slow start, and didnt start to get interesting till about 3/4 in. I would recomend this book to girls that enjoy fairy tales, although Zel is quite different then one. And probably ages 11 and over.
The book has 3 main points of view, as well as 3 main characters: Count Konrad, Zel, Mother.
Count konrad is a prince that meets zel at the market, gets her a goose egg, and then spends 2 years trying to find where she lives.
Mother is Zels well... Step Mother. She traded some rapunzel lettuce to Zels real mother in offer for Zel when she was born. Mother is very protected, kind of crazy, and does whatever she can to keep Zel close to her. Including only bringing her to town twice a year, and locking her up in a tower becuase Zel told her about a boy she met: Count Konrad.
Zel "Rapunzel" was named after a lettuce that her birth mother loved. After she meets Konrad in town, she cant think about anything else but him. She tells her mother about him, gets locked up in a tower all alone, and the only company she gets for 2 years is Mothers daily visit of 1 hour.
The book talks about Zel growing up, going through puberty, and having sex with Count Konrad. I would advise younger children not to read it, because they would not understand the moral and idea of the story. This book is full of romance, evil and many talks between Zel and Mother about Heaven and Hell.
I personaly did not care for it, I thought it was a very good book, and very well written, but I just didnt have an interest with it. It is a very short read "it took me about 3 sessions of reading to finish it. I would advise you to read many reviws before you buy it or check it out, cause this book is not for everyone. I also have complaints about the ending, it goes way to fast and you do not get a clear idea on what actually happened. Overall I thought it was very intersting, but slightly dull. There could have been more to it.
Book Review: The way Rapunzel was meant to be told
Summary: 5 Stars
"Zel" was excellent. Incredible, amazing. What can I say? It was the best "fairy tale" I've ever read.It tells the story of an almost 13 year old mountain girl, named Zel. She lives in a secluded cabin with her mother, who loves her greatly. One day, when Zel and her mother go to town, Zel meets a wealthy boy, Konrad, and she can't stop thinking about him. When her mother finds out, she takes Zel away to a tower, where she's locked up. She believes her mother is keeping her safe from an evil person, as she told her. But Zel nearly goes crazy - she wants to see people, she wants to live her life.
This book is told by 3 characters: Zel, her mother, and Konrad. It was very emotional, and I'd recommend it for ages 12 and up. Be sure to read the other books by Napoli!
Book Review: This book is not bad for children!
Summary: 5 Stars
I am writing this review because of LClarke's complaints about this book. Yes I would not reccommend giving this book to all children, but it does not contain premarital sex. I can see how that may be misleading, but Zel and Konrad actually gave each other their vows before sleeping together. Just becuase they weren't married in a church or a synagogue with a big ceremony doesn't mean that they weren't married. This same situation is showed in John Steinbeck's story The Pearl;the two main characters were never married in a church, but they were married in their hearts and loved each other very much. Konrad and Zel were married by sharing vows, so this book does not encourage premarital sex. I can definatly understand why a parent with young children would not want to read this story with adult concepts in it to them as a bedtime story.In my opinion, this book is for an audience of 12 and above. I hope that LClarke will read this review and change her mind about giving this book to her daughter, becuase it is a beautiful story about love and how it can drive people to the two extremes of this powerful emotion.Book Review: This is a MARVELOUS book
Summary: 5 Stars
This book was jubilant book others it was serene and tranquil others it was frighting othes it was maddening. How dare her mother expect any love from her! Rapunzel=Zel Zel is 100 times better than the orginal fairytale!Book Review: Very good!
Summary: 5 Stars
I thought that Zel was a very good book. It is captivating and it follows a familiar story. I would definetly reccomend this book to any one of any age.