Look, I am always interested in adaptations of fairytales, and the Rumpelstiltskin story is no exception. The idea of being able to turn straw into gold? Very Cool. Being beholden to a man portrayed as varying degrees of dangerous and insane? Slightly less cool, but convenient in the moment, I guess. In the classic tale it is Rumpelstiltskin who does the spinning, and each time he requires something of value from the miller's daughter until she is forced to offer up her firstborn child. When that debt comes due she pleads for any alternative and Rumpelstiltskin gives her three days to guess his name. That whole on-going power-trip, from her father, to the king, to Rumpelstiltskin always creeped me out, but the magical production of gold admittedly intrigues my avaricious side. Spinning Silver puts the power (literally) in the hands of the female lead and redistributes the role of Rumpelstiltskin.
Spinning Silver diversifies and expands on the core story, resulting in a complex and engaging read. Our primary heroine, Miryem, is the daughter (and granddaughter) of money-lenders... but her father is no good at collecting on people's debts. As a result, Miryem and her family hover on the edge of poverty. So we see a very real, relatable danger– that of hunger and survival. Additionally, Miryem and her family are very clearly coded as Jewish which adds another dimension to their position in society and the relationships they have with their neighbors. To save her family, Miryem steps up to collect as moneylender in her father's place and very quickly develops a no-nonsense reputation. She becomes quite savvy in the collection and re-sale game and her family begins to accumulate disposable income and nicer things. Miryem's financial success, however, attracts the attention of the Staryk king. The Staryk are a fae race who are rumored to be more ice than flesh, not that anyone can be sure since to encounter one usually means lost memories, if not death. Exceptions are made, however, and Miryem must prove that she really can turn silver into gold.
What surprised and delighted me as I read was that Miryem does not use magic to accomplish this fact. At least, not at first. Novik does a masterful job at interweaving the story of Miryem and the Staryk with two other female leads who each have a fantastical aspect to their own experiences as well. Through the journeys of the three women, Novik examines social class, love, power, responsibility, agency, and magic, leaving readers rooting for each of them.
Novik's well-crafted storytelling will definitely leave readers satisfied and entertained. I highly recommend this book to readers ages 11 and up. Spinning Silver would make an excellent birthday or holiday gift and would be a dynamic addition to a classroom library.
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Once you've read this adaptation please share your thoughts with me by writing a comment below or sending me an email at carrianne@carriannedillon.com.
Best,
–C