‘Strands’ a drawn-out disappointment

The wonderfully gruesome fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm recently have enjoyed a resurgence, spurring a number of televisions shows and movies. While some depictions have stayed true to the original tales, others have transported the stories to modern settings, with mixed results.

The young adult novel “Strands of Bronze and Gold” by Jane Nickerson is a retelling of the tale of Bluebeard. Set in 1855 in Mississippi, 17-year-old Sophia (also confusingly called Sophie) leaves her siblings in Boston to live with her wealthy godfather, Bernard, after the death of their parents.

Knowing the story of Bluebeard, it's natural to expect quick, exciting plot developments. Unfortunately, “Strands of Bronze and Gold” moves as quickly as molasses in wintertime. For the first 100 pages, Sophia simply wanders the halls of the Abbey, giving detailed descriptions of her dresses, her godfather and the lush grounds. Readers have to wait until the final 30 pages for anything suspenseful or reminiscent of the original plot.

The main action of the story easily could have come much earlier if Nickerson wasn't so taken with her secondary plot line: that of slavery in the antebellum south. Nickerson writes about slavery and the Underground Railroad with as much nuance as a second-grade history report. Not only is Sophia ensconced in white privilege and naivety, Nickerson's depictions of people of color are unbelievably stereotypical, the most amazing example being a free slave named Anarchy whom Sophia describes as “a good witch.”

There also are a number of unnecessary complications in the novel: Why is Bernard her godfather and not simply a suitor? Does Sophia's brother have to have a gambling problem? For young people interested in fairy tales, flowing gowns and well-drawn characters, “Strands of Bronze and Gold” will be a disappointment.