Tap cover to enlarge

A Curse Dark as Gold

Published
Mar 2008
Main Genre
Fantasy Fantasy
Rating
Pages
400

About This Book

"In this slow-simmering but rewarding retelling, first-novelist Bunce presents an innovative interpretation of Rumpelstiltskin." —Horn Book
Winner of the William C. Morris Award for a Young Adult Debut
An ALA Best Book for Young Adults
A Smithsonian Notable Book
An Oprah's Book Club Kids' Reading List Teen Selection

The gold thread promises Charlotte Miller a chance to save her family's beloved woolen mill. It promises a future for her sister, jobs for her townsfolk, security against her grasping uncle—maybe even true love. To get the thread, Charlotte must strike a bargain with its maker, the mysterious Jack Spinner. But the gleam of gold conjures a shadowy past—secrets ensnaring generations of Millers. And Charlotte's mill, her family, her love—what do those matter to a stranger who can spin straw into gold? This is an award-winning and wholly original retelling of "Rumplestiltskin."

"Set in a rural valley in the late 1700s, this reworking of the 'Rumplestiltskin' story includes ghosts, witchcraft, elements of Georgian society, and much earlier folk magic in the guise of a novel of manners." —School Library Journal
"A Curse Dark as Gold beats the hell out of any fantasy novel I've read this year. Her heroine/narrator is immensely appealing; the atmosphere of a world on the cusp of the Industrial Revolution is completely believable; and the suspense of the story builds so craftily that I started taking notes on just how she does it." —Peter S. Beagle, World Fantasy Award-winning author
"An intelligent, original, and interesting new take on an old fairy tale, and a marvelous debut novel." —Teen Book Review

Series Placement

Genres & Themes

Subgenres

Buy This Book

Formats & Editions

Browse the different covers, formats, and publication history for this title.

Paperback

Paperback edition cover
Paperback
May 2010 Scholastic ISBN 0439895774
Buy

Hardcover

Hardcover edition cover
Hardcover
First Edition Mar 2008 Arthur A. Levine Books ISBN 0439895766
Buy
Hardcover edition cover
Hardcover
May 2010 Turtleback Books ISBN 0606147527
Buy
Hardcover edition cover
Hardcover
May 2010 Scholastic ISBN 1606866427
Buy

eBook

eBook edition cover
eBook
May 2010 Scholastic ISBN B003MZ0AQY
Buy
eBook edition cover
eBook
Jun 2010 Scholastic ISBN 0545281563
Buy

Audio

Audio edition cover
Audio CD
Nov 2010 Scholastic ISBN 0545249597
Buy
Audio edition cover
Audible
Nov 2010 Scholastic Audio ISBN B004ADRYSY
Buy