Abandoned as an infant at the edge of Dartmoor, Rum Paul Stillskin does not know his true name or parentage, but it’s clear he’s not completely human. The old man who raises him calls him evil. The village children, who throw stones, whisper the word faery. Shunned by all, he finds comfort in his rude, native magic, and tells himself he doesn’t need love. Until he meets Mallie Goodman, who sees … sees in him a wild beauty he cannot see in himself.As they grow into adulthood, the bond between Mallie and Rum Paul deepens. When a cruel fate separates them, Mallie promises she will return to him, however long it takes. Twisted by loss, his long wait turns Rum Paul into someone Mallie never knew.When Mallie returns, will lies and betrayal keep him from recognizing her? Will he ever believe he deserves love?
more
All his life, Rum Paul Stillskin wonders where he fits it. Abandoned when he was a baby and taken in by a woman who loves him and her husband who despises him, Rum feels isolated. The whole village scorns him, going so far as to throw stones. Sure, he may be different from the rest of them, but he has feelings too. Rum throws up walls around his heart and convinces himself he doesn’t need love but all that comes crashing down when a wild beauty named Mallie befriends him. As they grow older, their friendship turns into something deeper.
When Mallie has to go away, she promises to return. While she is gone, despair and grief turn Rum into someone Mallie wouldn’t even recognize. He feels abandoned again and this time, he refuses to let it destroy him. But fate has something else planned for Rum and Mallie. Her return forces Rum to confront everything he’s kept bottled inside. Can her love overcome his pain or is he too far gone?
A fabulous retelling of the Grimm’s fairy tale, Rumpelstiltskin. Laura Strickland breathes new life into this fairy tale and we see Rum in a whole new light. He’s not evil per se but he’s not innocent either. There’s a question of nature versus nurture hidden beneath the story that’s poignant and thought-provoking. Rum is the classic antihero. Laura Strickland’s ability to plunge the reader inside Rum so we get to experience everything he’s feeling and going through. His own struggle soon became mine while reading. Highly recommend, especially for fairy tale retelling fans.
Disclaimer: I received a copy from the publisher via Netgalley in the hopes I’d review it.
My Rating: 5 stars
This might be my most favorite of all Laura Strickland’s books, though every single one has more than satisfied me. Her hero, Rum Paul, is the epitome of a rejected soul. Harsh to read, but so well written I could feel his agony. I rode with this character from the pits to the heights, from solitude to love, and the black moment where all seemed lost. So very well written! Laura has a way with words that brings the reader to immediate engagement with Rum Paul, and in my case, has kept him with me long after I reached “The end.” Lovely fairy tale retold
Rum Paul Stillskin by Laura Strickland- A view from the other side
The opening sets up an immediate conflict. A not fully human boy ends up in the hands of a woman who loves him as much as she is allowed and a man who despises but suffers his presence for the woman’s sake. The questions arise of nature vs. nurture and fall somewhere between both. One of my favorite retelling of a fairy-tale is Maleficent. Is she good? Is she bad? What happens to a person, and what drives them to be who they are?
Set in a Medieval type village, the world building is enough to draw the reader in but not dragged out to overdone. The boy who is looked down upon is not a totally empathetic character. He often is his own worst enemy though you never lose complete sympathy for Rum as he is known. I like characters with all their flaws and strong points.
The story is told from Rum’s point of view, and as he grows up falls in love then becomes obsessed and blinded to the truth, I experienced his struggle.
Short stories are not something that I usually gravitate toward. In this case, it was an excellent choice, and I recommend Rum Paul Stillskin.
I was really busy, getting ready to host a family get-together, the day I opened this book. My intention was two read a chapter or two between chores. That didn’t last long. Once started, I couldn’t put the book down.
This author has a talent for plot twists. Also, her way with words is outstanding. She truly takes you into another world, in another time. She leaves no stone unturned, described, and fully explained. If you think that sounds boring you couldn’t be more wrong. This is edge-of-your-seat stuff. Like Ms. Strickland’s book, Cinder-Ugly (also fabulous), this is not the fairytale your mother read to you. It’s so much bigger and better.
Needless to say, I had to get up early the next morning to get ready for my guests, but it was so worth it. I think I sold a few copies to my family. Way-to-go, Laura Strickland!