The Magic Circle

by Donna Jo Napoli

Book Overview

From the author of Zel, Stones in Water , and The Prince of the Pond . Deep in the woods lives the old witch called Ugly One. All she wants is to forget--the she was once a loving mother and a healer, blessed and powerful within her magic circle, and not a witch, claimed by the devils. Then one day she hears the footsteps she dreads. Then real voices--children's voices. The Ugly One longs to take care of sturdy, sensible Gretel and her young brother...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0140374396
• ISBN13: 9780140374391
• Release Date: June 1995
• Publisher: Puffin Books
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 0.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 4.4" x 7.1"
• Age Range: 10 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 5 and higher

Customer Reviews

magic retelling

Fans of retold fairy tales, such as those by Angela Carter and Tanith Lee, should order this book immediately. It's marketed as a children's book; whether it's entirely appropriate for that age level, parents will have to decide for themselves, but I can definitely say from one adult to another that this book isn't just for children. It's the Hansel and Gretel story from the witch's point of view. The story of how she came to be a witch is moving and satisfying. Ironically, I had just previously read Max Luthi's EUROPEAN FOLKTALE, which argues that part of the power of fairy tales is the one-dimensionality of the characters. Napoli adds dimensions to the witch, and it only enriches the character and the story.

A beautiful retelling

While the short length of this book may make some people believe that this is a book for children, quite far from it. A dark retelling of the traditional "Hansel and Gretel," Napoli shows true talent in the twists of this story. She manages to combine the beautiful with the evil, telling the story of a good woman who sells her soul to save her daughter, and then hides herself so she won't be forced to do horrible things to people. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone under eleven...its very dark, but uplifting and touching, too.

A dark, psychological take on a classic tale

I'm a devoted fan of fairy tales, and this one does not disappoint me. It has a deep, intriguing story line, undeparted from the original plot, polished with simple, yet powerful, prose. I am quite certain that everyone is familiar with the story of Hansel, Gretal, and their visit to the candy cottage. In this amazing retelling, we are priviledged to see the tale from the *witch*'s side, and the torment she suffered through. It is extremely phsycological, yet is not overbearing. The Ugly One, otherwise known as the Witch, is a kind, God-fearing midwife in a small village in medieval Europe. Through her innocence and good heart, she is slowly, unwillingly, lead down a dark path, where she is finally under the power of demons. Yet through it all, her good heart manages to keep her out of trouble. She hides from human contact, fearing the demon presence would become too powerful. That is, until two children become lost in her woods. This is a finely crafted novel about a poor soul who is tortured, and I shall never be able to look at "Hansel and Gretal" the same way ever again. It is beautiful, delightfully creepy, and sprinkled with symbolism. Napoli, as stated at the beginning of the book, researched medieval European culture, spirituality, and superstition before writing this book. While I really wouldn't recommend this for children, it is deeply satisfying for anyone else.

No children eaten here!

Donna Jo Napoli writes tasty little morsels derived from myths, legends and fairy tales. Here the Grimm's HANSEL AND GRETEL provides her a magical springboard for a short, but pithy essay on the extraordinary strife the human spirit will endure for the sake of doing what's right. The witch here is not inherently evil, but is herself a victim of simple ignorance and substantial bad advice. As mentioned elsewhere, this reviewer always enjoys new and imaginative explanations for all those fairy tale elements which are as familiar as gingerbread houses and wicked stepmothers, but never are quite entirely elucidated in the classic tales. Napoli's take on the candy house, while entirely logical and appropriate for the story, is nevertheless a bit bizarre and unsettling, descriptors most apt for this short novel. As another reader said, you'll never again see this tale in quite the same manner. Napoli is generally considered a young adult author; this reviewer is not so certain that this would be much help for those average "troubled teen readers." Still, Napoli's style is like a thread-dense Egyptian cotton bedsheet for smoothness and comfort, even if, again like those bedclothes, it feels a bit chilly to the touch.

A short but poignant tale.

This is a haunting little story of courage, pride, and redemption. Although the story sits loosely on the framework of the tale of Hansel and Gretel, it is a different story altogether.This is the story of an ugly, hunchbacked woman, with a deep appreciation of the beauty which she will never have. Through love for her beautiful daughter, and the wish to give her beautiful things, the Ugly One (as her neighbors call her) is tempted into the dangerous healing arts, and dealings with devils. And devils are always tricky...The story is told in lyrical, lovely prose which adds to the sense of magic and antiquity. It is a gripping, short book, that is difficult to put down until its wrenching end. The story examines the concept of personal pride closely, with some religious overtones.