Thanks to publishers Random House Australia and the author Kate Forsyth, members of the Stanthorpe Writers Group were given the opportunity to win a copy of Bitter Greens by entering a 100 words or less competition on what it would feel like to be trapped in a tower Rapunzel-like.
We had some terrific entries which were scored, in true Aussie egalitarian fashion, by fellow members.
And the winner is … drumroll …
Jeanette Harvey.
The prisoner longed for the warmth of human touch and words, softly spoken. Her friends now were the birds who ate the crumbs on the tower floor and gathered strands of her silken hair for their nests. Rapunzel lay quite still – her face close to the tiny creatures – absorbing the lightness of the warm, feathered bodies and fragile legs. In their bright, beaded eyes, she saw reflected the freedom of the sky and rode the wind’s spirals with these, her fellow travellers. Such freedom rendered her speechless with joy, but then she had little need for words.
It is rather fitting that Jeanette – an emerging historical novelist – wrote the winning entry. I know she will enjoy it. Thanks to everyone who entered. And thank you to Kate Forsyth for suggesting the theme.
Bitter Greens, which I reviewed here, is a lavish feast of fairytale, history and fiction.
Congratultions to Jeannette – what a beautiful passage of writing! I do hope you love reading ‘Bitter Greens’ – please let me know if you
Oh, Kate, Jeanette is absolutely thrilled with her win. I’ll post the second place-getter up when I get a spare moment too; a lovely poem.
Thank you Kate for offering Bitter Greens as the prize for the Stanthorpe Writers Group Rapunzel competition. Your story-telling is inspirational to a novice writer!
Immediately, I was drawn to stroke the sinuous red-gold locks on the cover which hinted at the delights within. Your tale offered so many layers and dimensions – depth, texture, colour and grit amidst such evocative and poignant descriptions. There was mystery enough to tempt and entice but sufficient knowledge to ground my exploration. I liked the complexity of the characters and the tight little surprises like the sublimely evil sorceress biting off the tip of Margherita’s finger. Such shivery spine tingles provided a sour spike of contrast to the potential sugariness of any fairy tale. Great stuff!
Welcome to the world of blogging diaspora52. I’m glad you enjoyed Kate’s book (knew you would).
Thanks karenlee. Well done for your recent triumph!