A Curse Dark as Gold
A Curse Dark as Gold
By: Elizabeth C. Bunce
You know the fairy tale Rumplestiltskin? Do you think you have him all figured out? What about the crying girl who gives him the jewelry he asks for? What was her story? How did she really defeat him?
Charlotte Miller and her sister Rosie have been left all alone after their father dies. Their mother died years ago giving birth to a baby brother (who also died). The curse of the Miller family is still going strong: a son has not survived since the mill was built. It has continued on in the Miller family, but through male cousins and brothers. Charlotte and Rosie are the last of the Millers, and have they got their work cut out for them!
Charlotte and Rosie know they're up for whatever challenges Stirwaters throws at them; after all, they're familiar with the temperment of the mill. Yes, you read that right: this mill has an attitude all its own. If it doesn't want to let you open a door, it simply won't. After getting things started and the cloth going, things seem like they'll be okay - maybe not really profitable, but okay. Offers are made to the girls to sell their mill, but they refuse. Stirwaters is their home, and Charlotte feels personally responsible for making sure the families in their community have work and food on the table. Threats aside, the girls think they'll be fine. Then Mr. Woodstone visits with some devastating news their father never told them about. Charlotte and Rosie are determined to survive this trial as well. But then their Uncle (who they've never met) shows up and decidedly tells the girls they really should marry and give up all this mill business. Sensing his timing is quite off, he lets the matter drop after a decidedly negative reaction from both of the girls. When further tragedy and devastation strike, Charlotte isn't sure what to do.
Enter Jack Spinner. Charlotte is not into all the superstition and hulla-ba-loo that surrounds the mill and its workings. Rosie is more willing to accept it, but there's still something about this man who can spin straw into gold that just isn't quite right....His price is steep, not financially, but personally. He wants the ring Charlotte wears that was her mother's. She gives it up determined to keep her mill, family and friends going strong. This trial passes, but more are definitely on the way.
This tale is told to us from Charlotte's point-of-view. We learn why she makes the decisions she does, and the care she puts into most (no, not really all) of her decisions. We understand why she gives up some very important items, and how she has the pluck to navigate waters no one before her has dared to tread. Charlotte's bravery, sheer gumption, compassion and attitude are what makes her unique, and also gets her through some difficult situations.
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