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- Title: Straw into Gold: A Rumpelstiltskin Faerie Tale Retelling
- Author: Carol Beth Anderson
- Narrator: Carol Beth Anderson
- Length: 01:14:17
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 19/08/2023
- Publisher: Findaway Voices
- Genre: Romance, Romantasy
- ISBN13: 9.80E+12
As someone who’s spent years chasing stories across continents – from the oral traditions of Oaxacan grandmothers to the windswept folktales of Icelandic fjords – I can confidently say Carol Beth Anderson’s “Straw into Gold” offers that rare alchemy of nostalgia and novelty. This gender-swapped Rumpelstiltskin retelling unfolds like a Fae-woven tapestry, its golden threads glinting with romantic tension and clever subversions of the original tale.
Listening to Anderson narrate her own work while driving through New Mexico’s high desert (where the sunset turns sagebrush into spun gold) created one of those perfect audiobook moments where setting and story harmonize. Her narration carries the warmth of a fireside storyteller – you can practically hear the crackle of magic in her pauses, especially when voicing Pel, our invisibility-cloaked protagonist. The way Anderson modulates her voice to shift between Pel’s wry humor and Cole’s earnest vulnerability demonstrates an author’s intimate understanding of her characters.
What struck me most was how Anderson reimagines the classic bargain. Pel’s dilemma – demanding Cole’s firstborn to save his life or risking his trust – echoes conversations I’ve had with artisans from Morocco to Bali about the true cost of creation. The magic system here feels tactile; when Pel describes drawing power from the Fae’s ‘glamour,’ Anderson’s narration thrums with sensory richness that reminded me of watching Oaxacan weavers transform raw wool into intricate textiles.
The romance unfolds with the slow burn of embers in a kiln – Cole’s kindness melting Pel’s defenses, their banter sparkling like mica in riverbeds. It’s a testament to Anderson’s dual skill as writer and narrator that their emotional beats land with such authenticity. Listen for the scene where Pel teaches Cole to ‘see’ her invisibility; Anderson’s voice turns whisper-soft, creating an ASMR-like intimacy perfect for headphones.
While the novella’s brevity left me craving more court intrigue (that wicked king deserves fuller exploration), this compactness serves the audio format beautifully. At just under an hour, it’s ideal for a commute or evening walk – though fair warning, you may find yourself looping certain scenes like I did, savoring Anderson’s delivery of Pel’s sarcastic asides.
For romantasy lovers, this stands alongside T. Kingfisher’s “Bryony and Roses” in its clever fairy tale reinventions, though with a distinct voice that blends Anderson’s flair for romantic tension with folkloric precision. The free audiobook availability makes this a risk-free portal into her imaginative world – a golden opportunity for any listener.
May your travels always lead to great stories,
Marcus Rivera
