Monday, December 8, 2008

Retelling of: Hansel and Gretel


The True Story of Hansel and Gretel by Louise Murphy

This is a haunting new adaptation of a grim fairy tale. Young Jewish children, Hansel and Gretel, whose names have been changed to protect their heritage, flee into the woods of Poland with their family. In an effort to keep the children safe, their father and stepmother send them further into the woods, leaving the couple alone to draw the Nazi searchers away from the youths. Hansel and Gretel walk alone until they find a cottage in the woods, inside is an outcast Gypsy woman who harbors them and tries to keep them safe. But how long can the feeling of safety last in a world torn apart by hunters who want to find the concealed children? This novel recounts both a fairy tale and a dark portion of German history, illuminating the sacrifices, vices and perseverance of the human soul.

Check out a reading guide to The True Story of Hansel and Gretel and an interview with the author!


Get Answers to all your questions about Louise Murphy


Read an author interview!

1 comment:

Booklogged said...

Hansel & Gretel is such a dark, scary fairytale - seems like a good one to retell as a WWII story.

Did you like it?