I will admit that you can pretty much convince me to read any feminist retelling of a fairytale or myth, but I also recognize that some are much better than others. Mary McMyne's debut novel, The Book of Gothel, a retelling of Rapunzel from the witch's point of view, is one of the best ones I have read in a while.

A medieval historian has traveled to Germany to translate a thirteenth-century codex found in an old cellar. That codex--the life story of Haelewise, or Mother Gothel--is the main narrative of the novel. Haelewise has strange dark eyes and has suffered from fainting spells since she was a young child. She also demonstrates an "unnatural affinity" for midwifery while attending births with her midwife mother, Hedde, and it's all too much for the superstitious residents of her isolated village, who fear her. Hedde creates a loving, safe space for Haelewise, unlike her father, who also fears her spells and keeps his distance. Haelewise tries various elixirs, powders, and other remedies that her mother gets from local herbalists and is subjected to religious remedies at the insistence of her father, but nothing cures her spells. When Haelewise is sixteen, Hedde goes on a walk in the woods outside the walls of the village and returns with a fever that ends up killing her. Before she dies, she gives Haelewise a figurine of a bird woman that she urges her to keep secret, lest she be branded a heretic. After Hedde dies, Haelewise's father abandons her and the town turns on her, branding her a witch. She flees to the woods in search of Gothel, the tower from her mother's stories, hoping to apprentice for its resident, Kunegunde, who cares for desperate pregnant women. At Gothel, Haelewise learns about magic, plants, and a religious tradition worshipping the Mother--the bird-woman of her mother's figurine--practiced for generations before it was banned by the church as heresy. When Rika, a pregnant woman on the run from a violent nobleman, seeks refuge at Gothel, the two women forge a friendship that leads Haelewise to embark on a dangerous journey that helps her find herself and her power in the process.

I loved this book. Not only is it a rich and multilayered retelling of a well-known fairytale, with all the magical elements you would expect from such a story, but it is also grounded in the historical reality of medieval Europe, complete with real historical figures, where women were forced into narrow roles and threatened with ostracization, accusations of witchcraft, or death for straying from those roles. "Their way is not the only way," Haelewise's mother urges her to remember. In Book of Gothel, McMyne creates a compelling character who finds agency and power by embracing her difference and her communion with other women who have broken free from society's restraints in various ways: the abbess who incorporates stones from an altar to a female-centered religion in the abbey, the midwives who help vulnerable women even under threat of execution, the queens and princesses who practice magic and pull strings behind their powerful husbands' backs. I loved the community of women in this story, and loved Haelewise's reflections on her mother and the sacrifices she was forced to make and chose to make out of love for her daughter.

The premise of most retellings is obviously "the story you know isn't the whole story," but McMyne carries that theme through the entire novel so expertly that it truly resonates here. From the novel's opening, with the historian whose work uncovering the gaps in history about women's lives is dismissed as "domestic minutae" by her colleagues, to the stories Haelewise hears as a girl about women's supposed misdeeds ("Even as young as ten, I understood that men make up reasons to get rid of women they find disagreeable"), to the various ways that Haelewise's own story is misunderstood and distorted, both with and without her encouragement, we are constantly reminded that our understanding of history is not objective; rather it is the product of stories told by the powerful to preserve their power.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who likes female-centered stories with a little magic in them, but especially for those who love fairytales and their retellings or novels like Circe and Kaikeyi. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an electronic review copy in exchange for an honest review!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Redhook Books for access to this ARC.

A foreboding fairytale retelling, alluring in its imagery and world-building and disquieting in its twisting of history and portrayal of the treatment of women, this was a masterfully written book.

The House of Gothel is a commanding reimagining of the fairytale of Rapunzel and Mother Gothel, in the guise of Haelewise, daughter-of-Hedda. With notes of fireside gothic folk-tales and bracketed by dark academia and mystery, like the academic who is presented with Haelewise’s life story, I was completely bewitched from beginning to end. Haelewise (though history would remember her by the name of the tower she inhabited) is a complex, fierce character. While she is not always likeable, I rooted for her. While she is not always kind, she is resilient and powerful. Best read by candle-light with a mug of mulled cider and a cold night breeze coming in through the window, this is the story of a witch, a midwife, a daughter, a mother, a survivor, a protector, and a vessel for one of the best books I’ve come across this year.

This morning, I closed my e-reader with a long sigh at another anticipated book that became an utter disappointment.

The Book of Gothel promises to be the complex origin story to the iconic Rapunzel villainess, Mother Gothel. However, if you did not know that, you could read the whole book without guessing it was about her.

What went well?
- It is obvious that McMyne put a lot of work into this book and I commend them for it. The historical research into medieval times and origin stories clearly shines throughout the novel.

-The writing is easy and accessible, lending a strong voice to Haelewise, from her childhood to becoming Gothel.

What wasn't so great?

- The characters lacked any depth or complexity. Especially Haelewise's action sometimes completely contradictory to her character and illogical at best.

-The plot was threadbare at best and non existent at worst. With no strong characters to carry over the novel, the often directionless plot that takes illogical turns to advance the narrative couldn't save this novel.

-The worldbuilding is....not the best.

Anyway, there are alot of people who will enjoy this novel for its historical research and a unique take on Gothel's character. But I'm not one of them.

Best wishes to the author and thank you to the publisher for providing an e-arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this. Though I will say that this isn't a retelling so much as it’s a coming-of-age, life story about how Haelewise came to be the witch from Rapunzel's fairytale. The majority of this book takes place before Rapunzel is even born. The story itself was well crafted and thoroughly researched. There were plenty of references to medieval Germanic herbalism, culture and folk beliefs. This felt very rooted in historical fact and that's something I can appreciate. The vibes of this book reminded me a little of "The Witch's Heart" by Genevieve Gornichec. It touches on patriarchy, paganism, and feminism. There was a lot of commentary on motherhood and womanhood.

Although I thoroughly enjoyed this, some parts did drag. It was very interested in the story while I was reading it, but it was too easy not to pick it up again once I set it down. I also wish we had gotten more of Rapunzel living in the tower before the ending. The ending just felt a little rushed. We spent so much time on Haelewise's childhood, but once we get to the later events of this story, we sort of speed through the last bit.

Overall, this book is lyrical and had such a beautiful atmosphere. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.

One Sentence Summary: This is the untold story of Mother Gothel, the witch who locked Rapunzel in the tower.

Overall
The Book of Gothel presents a possible backstory for Rapunzel‘s Mother Gothel. Here, Haelewise tells her own story, her own truth. I cannot comment on the accuracy of any of the historical details, but this book transported me to medieval Germany and it was a lot of fun to see some royal characters. It was a fantastic field for the characters to move around on, and they played their roles to perfection. I liked how Haelewise was so strong willed, but so hemmed in by society. I did wish for her to fly into a rage, but she was always perfectly in character. The Book of Gothel is a story that focuses on women and motherhood, magic and one woman’s will to do what’s right. It makes Mother Gothel a more sympathetic character, so it was great to get this possible backstory for her.

Extended Thoughts
Everyone knows the story of Rapunzel, but the fairy tale tells us little about Mother Gothel, the witch who locked Rapunzel in her tower. The Book of Gothel seeks to rectify that. Her name is Haelewise, and she’s the daughter of a midwife and a fisherman. All she wants is to marry the tailor’s son, her childhood friend, and become a midwife like her mother. But she suffers from fainting spells, so the people shun her, her only solace the stories of princesses and princes her mother weaves for her. When her mother dies, there’s nothing to protect Haelewise, so she runs to the tower in the woods, where she apprentices herself to the wise woman there. But, when a young woman carrying a dangerous secret seeks them out, Haelewise’s life takes a sudden turn, leading her on a journey right into the arms of princes and princesses, kings and queens. And a magic Haelewise is thirsty to know.

The Book of Gothel is a lovely, lush historical fantasy that imagines the life of Mother Gothel before Rapunzel came to live in the tower. It paints Mother Gothel in a very different light, and gives the woman in question some control over her own life and the stories others tell about her. Set in a medieval Germany, women have little power and even fewer means of standing up for themselves. Haelewise must operate within these confines, but she’s still powerful and headstrong, doing what she must to protect other women. She was fascinating and her story is beautiful and heartbreaking. But The book of Gothel also felt long and windy, taking almost too long to really get to the point where the reader can connect this story with Rapunzel, and feeling more like a series of quests throughout the middle.

The Book of Gothel is set in a fantastical version of medieval Germany, and really brought it to life. There’s a startling amount of detail, though it never becomes overwhelming, and all of it works well together to transport the reader back in time. This is really where the book shines. The attention to detail, the phrasing, the way the stories are woven and told, the way the people lived, it all worked seamlessly together to present a world that made me feel like I was stepping back in time. I’m not a big fan of historical fiction as they tend to feel either over or under done, but my favorite thing was how Middle High German was worked into the narrative. Small details and consistency made it possible to really immerse myself in this world, and the touch of magic didn’t hurt, either. I liked how the story remained focused and offered just the right playing field for the characters.

The characters were great, but too many of them felt a little one dimensional. They were almost like fairy tale characters themselves with not much depth beyond midwife, towns person, king, princess, servant, etc. They played their roles to perfection, but they suffered from the same problem as fairy tale characters: I know almost nothing about them beyond the role they’re meant to play. There aren’t many motivations. The court intrigue was light and seemed mostly focused on a crazy prince. There were, though, some great backstories to some of the characters, that helped make them come to life and either show how their hands were tied or to offer a few layers to them. Since this is Haelewise’s story, the reader really gets to know her. She’s quite strong-willed and has a strong sense of duty. Though she’s also driven by a mysterious voice, so it was sometimes hard to tell if she was just following orders or really felt she needed to do something. The dangers she puts herself into, though, really reveals how quick thinking and brave she is. Haelewise is not an ugly figure. She’s had a hard life, but still puts herself into harm’s way to protect. I hated that there was little she could do to improve her life and there were so many times I just wanted her to go into a rage, but she remained in character and within the bounds of her time period to create a sympathetic character very different from Rapunzel‘s Mother Gothel.

If there’s anything I didn’t like about this book, it would be the story itself. I appreciated what the author did, giving Haelewise an excellent backstory, but it felt too windy to me. The beginning is wonderful, setting up the characters and the setting and suggesting the reader be sympathetic to Haelewise. But, after her mother dies, the story suddenly feels like it becomes a series of quests. Haelewise is sent here and then there and, at each place, she must accomplish something. Some of it is because she chose it, but others are because she’s guided by a voice. It was just a little aggravating because, halfway through, I still had no clue where the story was going, felt a little let down by the description, and couldn’t see how this could possibly lead to the story told in Rapunzel. This reads extremely easily, though, making for a quick read, but the story itself felt much more slow moving. It was helped by small details from Rapunzel’s story that were displaced into Haelewise’s. It was fantastic to recognize bits and pieces, and even more wonderful to see just how perfectly they fit into Haelewise’s life and story.

What I did love, though, was the inclusion of magic and Christianity. There’s a subtle war between them, and I loved how the historical figure Hildegard of Bingen was woven in and embodied this battle. There’s the Mother, who is worshiped by those like Haelewise, her mother, and the current Mother Gothel Haelewise apprentices herself to. She’s that touch of magic that makes some really interesting things possible. I loved this magic as it helped make me feel like I was reading a fairy tale. And then there’s the other side, the religion that feels like it’s trying to take over. I loved reading how these were woven in, but, overall, it didn’t feel like a huge piece of the story, though it was much more than just details.

In this current society, The Book of Gothel feels very important. It has a special focus on motherhood and midwifery, and giving women a choice. The character of Rika mentioned in the description perfectly embodied this push and pull, though the characters are definitely bounded by the society and their own desires. I loved how this book offers a peek into what giving birth might have been like, and how it didn’t shy away from any part of it. Motherhood, actual and dreamed, played a big role in this story, making it feel both softly and fiercely feminine.

The Book of Gothel is a fascinating historical fantasy story imaging the possible life of Mother Gothel before Rapunzel came to live in the tower. It wonderfully captures medieval Germany, though I cannot comment on any accuracy. It made me feel like I was there. The characters were given a rich world to operate in, but I felt Haelewise was sent on one too many quests. I liked how all the royal characters were woven in, though there were some I wished to have spent more time with. Overall, this was a fun, easy to read story that really made sense as a possible backstory for Mother Gothel.

Thank you to Orbit/Redhook and NetGalley for a review copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

Wow! I absolutely loved this book. The Book of Gothel is a fairytale reimagining of Mother Gothel from the Rapunzel. Basically an origin story. Haelewise is her name. Haelewise goes through so many trials and heartbreak throughout this book. She was isolated in her home and village. After her mother passes she is alone and ventures of to a tower her mother told her about. The tower Gothel. She encounters a runaway princess. So many things happen. Haelewise spent her life in love with childhood best friend. I don’t want to ruin anything for anyone so I won’t go into too many details. I recommend reading this book if you’re someone who enjoys fairytale reimaginings as well as “villain” origin stories. I could not stop reading this book.

*thank you to NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

A gorgeous retelling of the well known story of Rapunzel as told from the point of view of the witch who kept her captive in the tower. This is is the story of Haelewise, who grows up in a medieval German village in around 13th century Europe. She is afflicted by these mysterious fainting spells that the people of her mostly christian village attributes to her being cursed by the devil. Her condition plague her despite being given holy treatments and an exorcism. After her mothers death she is left with no choice but to leave the village she has known all her life to seek the tower her mother spoke of in her stories, a place where maybe she could be accepted. Thus begins the story of the witch who will eventually become the villain of a story we are familiar with. I enjoyed The Book Of Gothel, it has the essence of Grimm's fairy tales of old. It's a dark and intriguing tale with a message at its core. It warns that not every story has a happy ending and that not all villains are what they seem. Thank you to the publisher and Netgallery for a chance to review this ARC.

Fairy tales, a strong female protagonist, the feminine divine, magic - so much to love about The Book of Gothel. Mary McMyne created a world I fell into. I loved Haelewise's story, especially the women of the convent and the other members of the circle, women who learned the sacred arts and secretly worshipped the feminine divine right under the nose of the church.

This fine retelling/origin story of the Rapunzel fairy tale features so many things that I enjoy: strong female characters, dark, forbidding forests, wise women who know their way around an herb garden, and dangerous quests to rescue pregnant princesses. If you're looking for an involving story with a smart, likeable heroine, this could be the book for you.

Thank You NetGalley for this book. This is a marvel of fiction. Haelwise is a young German girl whose mother had special gifts. Haelwise inherits these. She leaves town after her mother’s death and her father’s hasty marriage. She goes to a tower to find a wise woman. All the childhood stories that you love are here. This is the beginning of them. We all know how they turn out, but this is where they came from. This would be delightful for a book club. There are many themes to discuss. What it means to be a woman, what it means to be a mother, and most importantly, what it means to go outside of yourself to help others.

The Book of Gothel, by Mary McMyne, is described in marketing as a “reimagining of the story of Rapunzel.” A great hook, considering the popularity of fairytale remixes, but this emphasis on Rapunzel does the book a great disservice. Readers expecting to find the familiar tale told from the villain’s perspective are bound to be disappointed. To appreciate this story, know this from the start: Rapunzel only enters the narrative at the very end and is not at all a featured character. With that issue settled…

The Book of Gothel is the story of Haelewise. Abandoned by her father after her mother’s death and fearing for her life when villagers blame her for a deadly fever, the teenage Haelewise escapes alone into the forest. On her journey, she serves as apprentice to a wise woman, befriends a princess, and is welcomed into the abbey of Hildegard of Bingen. As she travels, she seeks to learn more about her mother and the goddess she worshiped in secret.

This is primarily the story of a spiritual journey. One to reclaim and reconnect with the feminine power, buried and denied by the ruling Christian church.

I enjoyed the magic and mysticism woven through the story, and I will always cheer a plot where women rebel against the patriarchy. I did not, however, connect with the characters. Nor did I feel the bond between Haelewise and the secondary characters who were meant to be close to her. I also think the story stands fine on its own without the bookending conceit of the present day academic discovering the ancient book.

This was a super smart, wonderful, and creative Historical Fantasy retelling of Rapunzel through the lens of the witch who put her in the tower, Haelewise. The characters were imaginative and dynamic and the story was creative and well written, by far one of the best retellings I have read all year.

My interest was piqued at the "retelling of Rapunzel from the witch's POV". BUT, a retelling this is not. This is a very unique story of how life pushed a young woman into the role of villian. Mary McMyne has cast this story on the page and left us all spell bound as she made Gothel much more than a villian.

I really don't know what I expected from this book, but it is most definitely one that will make my reading circle happy. I read this in two marathon sessions and enjoyed every word.

Thank you very much to NetGalley and Redhook for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Whoa, this story is much more than just a variation on the Rapunzel tale. In fact, it's not even really a Rapunzel story: it's Haelewise's (Mother Gothel). But it's also a story of past wise women, those who either refused to kowtow to the rise of Christianity or simply relied on tried-and-true knowledge instead of blindly believing an invisible presence would fix everything. The women who weren't the timid broodmares they were expected to be, but fierce, intelligent, kind, vengeful, and joyous all at once.

I liked that the religious aspects weren't really pitted against one another; rather, the Mother and Father were part of a whole. Of course, men think their way is the only way, and that's where the rift between the two comes into play. Haelewise sometimes didn't think things through or was a bit naïve, but she's a teenager. A teen who gets thrown out into a world she knows very little about and has to navigate pretty much on her own. So I can give her a bit of grace there.

There are characters that I just wanted to smack sometimes, but that made them all the more realistic and fleshed out to me. Real people aren't just one thing; they're multifaceted with their own convictions, dreams, and temperaments. I *get* it.

A wonderful book with a wonderfully bittersweet ending.

THE BOOK OF GOTHEL goes beyond a traditional retelling, and deeper than any origin story, resulting in an engrossing tale that feels equal parts historical fiction, including medieval customs, politics, and religious customs, and then, as an outpouring of these, fantasy. Grounded, rich, and compelling, we follow the woman who would later be called a "witch," from her childhood, plagued by frailties beyond her control, to the young woman who would be faced with impossible, heartrending choices, who never seeks evil, who wants the truth about herself and the world around her, and yearns to live her own life on her own terms. Which is enough to be called a witch. Excellent read, highly recommend.

The premise was interesting, but the book itself was not really what I was hoping for. I felt like it focused too much on the main character's desire to learn magic, and her angst at the difficulty in finding someone to teach her. Why was the grandmother so antagonistic and controlling? That could have been explored instead of just feeling frustration towards her. I feel like this was more of a YA title that would resonate more with a younger audience.

The Book of Gothel is a wonderfully cozy story of the witch who stole Rapunzel and kept her in the tower.

Haelewise, daughter of Hedda, a well-respected midwife, has always lived under her mother’s protective wing. When Haelewise’s mother suddenly dies, her father abandons her, and the village shuns her Haelewise sets out to find the mysterious tower named Gothel. The tower is purported to offer protection for women and girls who seek it. Throughout her journeys, Haelewise will be at odds with the Church, her mother’s pagan beliefs, and a powerful noble family.

Reading this Rapunzel backstory was like being wrapped in a warm hug. It’s very much a coming-of-age, character-driven story where the reader follows Haelewise as she grows into herself. It touches on topics like the patriarchy, pagan practices, and feminism.

Although I thoroughly enjoyed this, I felt that some parts dragged a bit, and I could have done without the romance. I much preferred the sections that focused on Haelewise’s and Matthaus’ friendship as they were growing up.

The writing style feels like YA in the beginning, but then it slowly matures as the story deepens.

I highly recommend adding this book to your fairytale retelling tbr.

Thank you to Orbit for the physical and digital copies for review purposes.

https://booksandwheels.com

I finished a few days ago and had wanted to read some reviews and sit with it all for a moment before putting my own opinion out there.
That being said, let’s acknowledge first that this is a dark, gothic retelling and villain origin story. There isn’t necessarily going to be a happy ending and the Mc isn’t going to have many, if any, good things happen to them. I personally love origin stories, especially those of the ‘big bad’, so I didn’t mind that aspect of it. Just be aware if that isn’t really your thing.
I feel like this was exactly what I wanted : a unique, dark retelling that hasn’t been done over and over again. I had a great time.

THE BOOK OF GOTHEL is a superbly atmospheric retelling of Rapunzel from the maligned point of view of the witch in the tower of this classic fairy tale. Haelewise, daughter of the midwife Hedda, flees her village after her mother’s death. With nowhere to go, Haelewise seeks the fabled tower of Gothel, guided by a mysterious voice. Once there Haelewise realizes that magic is real, some tall tales are true, and not all princes are charming. But Haelewise’s hopes of apprenticeship to Kunegunde, the wise woman of Gothel, are dashed when tragedy falls. This sets events into motion that ultimately result in Haelewise known to history as the witch who stole Rapunzel.

This retelling undoubtedly tackles themes of overcoming the patriarchy, religious syncretism, the power of women, and motherhood. Given the 12th century Germany time period, it is unsurprising that the patriarchy is systemic in this tale. It is present in typical ways with respect to family dynamics; threatened sexual assault; religion; purity; and the perceived low value of a woman in terms of her opinions, wants, and marriage preferences. In other words, nothing new to see here.

I found the aspect of religious syncretism, or the blending of religious beliefs, very interesting. Although Christianity was already established in Germany during this time, elements of older beliefs break through. I’m not a scholar of pre-Christianity Germanic beliefs, so I likely missed some elements. (Or am wrong entirely?) But I found this theme evident in the stories told to children, icons hidden from sight, and herbalism. And, perhaps the most obvious, was the secret circle of women who keep this ancient knowledge alive.

This charge of secrecy bands women together to form a silent, cohesive unit that works against questionable decisions made by men. It also provides a sisterhood of sorts for these women. But the importance of women supporting women in a man’s world is broader than this clandestine sisterhood. It crosses into the realm of motherhood. This powerful topic explores a woman’s reluctance or desire to be a mother and how that transcends and affects all other choices. (Motherhood also ties in with the religious and patriarchal themes, but I can’t say much more without spoilers!)

Themes aside, I really enjoyed McMyne’s characterization of Haelewise. Many times I found myself empathetic to Haelewise’s situation. Her circumstances frustrated me on her behalf and left me heartbroken many times. However, I was also proud to see Haelewise become more confident in herself and her beliefs. McMyne delivers a bittersweet ending to Haelewise’s quest to protect the innocent that left me full of longing.

I feel that my review doesn’t do this book justice. But I really enjoyed it. And, surprisingly for me, my favorite aspect of it was the theme of motherhood. Overall, I heartily recommend this to fans of historical, moody fantasies. It’s also a great pick for those who appreciate headstrong female protagonists who work to overcome adversity created from societal expectations.

[4.5/5 stars. To be posted an aliteraryescape.com on July 25, 2022.]

Perhaps The Book of Gothel is a story I need to ruminate on to fully appreciate. The subject matter deeply interests me, the bones of the story were strong, I just dont feel like it's one that will be memorable for me in any lasting way.

Haelewise, plagued with strange fainting spells, is shunned by the people in her pious village. Her mother, Hedda, works tirelessly to heal and protect her daughter the best she can. Unfortunately, after her mothers tragic passing and her father abandonment, Haelewise is cast out from the only home she has ever known. She must journey to the famed Tower of Gothel and learn the ways of the wise women. As Haelewise discovers more about her strange spells, and the voices she begins to hear, the tower and it's restraints become less and less appealing. You will journey with her as she finds freedom, answers,friends, and foe.

I am a little stumped about what to say about this book. It was heartbreaking but not heart wrenching. The prose were pretty but not stunning. The story held my interest but I was never fully engaged. It wasn't paced slowly and yet it still felt sluggish. There are lessons to glean but they didn't land strong enough to tug at my heartstrings...

The Book of Gothel isn't a bad read, it simply isn't one that will stay on my radar for long.

This ARC was provided by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.