Shadow Spinner

by Susan Fletcher, Suzanne Toren (Narrated by)

In an adventure equal to any a storyteller might relate, a crippled serving girl faces the intrigues of the harem, the dangers of the streets, and the anger of the Sultan himself to find the needed ending to an incomplete story.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Fantasy, Fiction, Middle Grade, Fairy Tales, Historical

Audio Cassette

First published May 1, 1998

About the author

Susan Fletcher is the award-winning author of fourteen books for young readers, including Dragon’s Milk, Shadow Spinner, and Journey of the Pale Bear. Her novels have been translated into ten languages and have received a Golden Kite Honor from the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, as well as acclaim from the American Library Association, the Children’s Book Council, Bookriot.com, Natural History Magazine, Western Writers of America, Women Writing in the West, and many more. Susan taught for many years in the M.F.A. in Writing for Children program at Vermont College.

Although Susan loves to write about the long-ago and the yet-to-come, she can’t bring those worlds to life without grounding them in details from the world in which we live now. To that end, she has explored lava tubes and sea caves; spent the night in a lighthouse; traveled along the Silk Road in Iran; ridden in a glider, on a camel, and on a donkey; and cut up (already dead!) baby chicks and mice for a gyrfalcon’s dinner. To write Sea Change, she immersed herself in the geography and cultural vibe of Galveston, Texas; explored a Gulf of Mexico oil platform; and brought to mind her childhood experiences of skin diving off Catalina Island with her family.

Reviews

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally reviewed on my blog, Books from Bleh to Basically Amazing.

Shadow Spinner by Susan Fletcher is set in Ancient Persia and it is a retelling of 1001 Arabian Nights. The original tale is the story of Shaharazad, the young woman who tells stories each night to the Sultan, ending before the climax is complete in order to remain alive one more day. Over and over she does this, for 1001 nights. The original tale is where we get such beloved stories as Aladdin, Sinbad, and Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves. I have not yet read the original tale, partly because there are so many translations available and I am unsure which is best, but as far as I know, there are a lot of questions that the original tale doesn't answer.

What happened after 1001 nights that the Sultan decided Shaharazad could live without telling more stories? Why was 1001 somehow the magical number? Where did Shaharazad get enough stories to fill 1001 nights? What would have happened if she started to run out?

Shadow Spinner answers these questions and more. I was surprised and intrigued but this book when I learned about it, because Shaharazad is not the main character as one would expect from a retelling of 1001 Arabian Nights. Instead, our story is narrated by Marjan, a crippled young serving girl who gets drawn into the lives of those in the palace. She goes with her mistress to sell baubles in the Sultan's harem and stops to tell a group of young children a story. Her voice and her ability to tell a story are one of her most valued and prized 'possessions' and her hero is Shaharazad. No one believed that an ability to tell stories could change your life until she stepped up and offered to marry the Sultan. Shaharazad's sister overhears Marjan telling her story to the young children and she takes Marjan to meet Shaharazad, because she is beginning to run out of stories and she doesn't know what to do next.

And so, Marjan comes to live in the Sultan's palace as a serving maid to Shaharazad. But there is much more to live in the palace than plush fixings and plenty of food. Even after almost 3 years of storytelling, every morning there is an air of tension when Shaharazad leaves the Sultan's rooms. The Sultan's mother also hates Shaharazad and wants to see her fail, which means a hatred for anyone close to her, or trying to help her.

I love this book. I mean, really, honestly and truly, I love this book. Marjan wants to be a great storyteller. Every where she goes, she collects stories and collects information that could be used to create and weave her own tales. Each chapter begins with section titled "Lessons for Life and Storytelling" and the lesson within would often foreshadow the events to come withing the chapter.

Watching Marjan grow and develop as a person and as a storyteller felt like a gift. In the beginning, Marjan is holding onto some deeply rooted anger and bitterness, although it takes a while for the reader to realize this. I think it takes Marjan herself a while to realize the extent of the anger she is harboring. She also learns about a solid core of goodness within herself. She is fiercely loyal, willing to do whatever she can to protect and shield those she cares about.

Shadow Spinner is a completely unique tale that takes us into a world of palace intrigue, danger, love and hope. It is everything a fairy tale should be. There is no magic in their world but there is magic in their story. And their story teaches us that there is magic within ourselves.

[Janette]

I must admit I was skeptical when I picked up this book. How interesting could a story be about someone who tells stories? I tell stories, and trust me, a book about my life would be very boring. (And then Janette sat huddled in front of her laptop for the next five hours . . . See what I mean?)

I'm glad to report that I was really wrong in this assumption. It was an awesome book and I liked it all that much more because the characters talked about stories and their importance. They teach things. They mean things. I was nodding my head when Marjan talked about how sometimes we make up a story and then our own life shadows the story. I've had the same thing happen enough times that I've commented on it myself.

And when Marjan was first paid for her story telling and realized that her imagination had worth--I got tears in my eyes. Seriously. (I bet that only happens to writers.)

So if you like writing, this book is a must read. And it's beautifully written too.

[NadiaN99 · Rating 5 out of 5]

دیشب در ناباوری از اینکه متنی که خوندم ترجمه بود و نه متن اصلی ،۲۰هزار تومن هزینه ارسال کتاب ۴۰ تومنی رو پرداخت کردم تا بتونم این قصه‌ی رنگارنگ و پر از شادی و غم رو پیش خودم داشته باشم
راستش تا حالا اینطوری توی داستان ایرانی غرق نشده بودم
رنگ و بوی فصلهای کمتر کتابی رو می‌شه اینجور احساس کرد و کمتر روایتی انقدر حرف برای گفتن داره
از خانم اپاراتوس و آشنای مرجان-نامش بی‌نهایت ممنونم🥺

[Tahera · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I began to get a glimmering, then, of what Shahrazad had meant when she spoke of teaching the Sultan. And my awe of her grew. She was not simply saving her own life—saving many women’s lives—by telling entertaining tales. She was . . . educating the Sultan. Enlarging his view of the world. Giving his bitter, cramped soul room to grow. Making him . . . human again."


When I decided to participate in the 'Reading the World' challenge for the first time in 2024, I wanted to read a book set in Iran/Persia. After a quick search, I came across this book which was described as a retelling of the 1001 Arabian Nights. The plot sounded intriguing and I will say it definitely lived up to it!

Marjan, the orphan, crippled serving girl and storyteller is the true heroine of this story: intelligent, quick thinking, brave, fiercely loyal with a dose of spunk, and a master storyteller in her own right, she readily agrees to help her own 'heroine' Shahrazad to succeed in her mission. It's not an easy task when Shahrazad's main enemy is her own mother in law, who will go to any lengths to see her fail. In helping Shahrazad find her happy ending, Marjan discovers her worth, identity, new friends and in the end her own happy ending of sorts.

I loved everything about this retelling! The author brings the Persia of Shahrazad and Sultan Shahryar's to life with her vivid storytelling while in Marjan she has created a character worthy to be a role model.

An underrated gem that I would definitely recommend 💎.

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[Akoss · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grew up reading the story about Shahrazad many times and in various "versions", but this take brought a breath of fresh air to it.
Susan Fletcher is a great story spinner who gave more than life to the characters. The ones from the original story such as Shahrazad and the Sultan, were more than 2 dimensional, they felt real, and so were the additional characters she brought in to weave in the "behind the scenes" parts. You will get to know and care for those secondary characters, even though you will see them all through Marjan's eyes.
I knew it couldn't have been easy to keep someone entertain for hundreds and hundreds of night, but reading this book just gave it a new dimension.
Marjan is just a teen but yet she was so wise and courageous. She knew how to endure pain and still not give up. Her personality was so strong it over powered her hard not to notice disability.
You could see the Harem, and take a step alongside the characters through the city and the hidden passage ways in the Sultan palace.
I loved reading this book and will make room for it on my bookshelf. It was a behind the scenes like no other.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

People take what they need from the stories they hear. The tale is often wiser than the teller.

This is one of my all-time favorite YA novels and a really excellent spin on the story of Shahrazad. It's tightly plotted, with an interesting and diverse cast of characters, and ancient Persia is gorgeously described and atmospheric. Susan Fletcher writes books about teenagers who feel real and who you can root for, and Marjan is no exception. ALL THE STARS.

[ELNAZIOR ( Realm.Of.Ella) · Rating 5 out of 5]

واقعا قصد نداشتم یه روزه تمومش کنم🙂، ولی از بس به دلم نشست این کتاب نتونستم جلوی خودم رو بگیرم.
و البته ترجمه‌ش هم خیلی خوب و روان بود.
این کتاب هم شد جزو اونایی که یه تیکه از قلبم همیشه پیشش میمونه...

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My niece made me read this but plot twist I loved it.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is how a retelling of any folk tale should be--a diverse and complex story, a world full of questions and truths still relevant to our own time. Shadow Spinner is a retelling of 1001 Nights, a story of a young, crippled, Muslim girl in Persia as she weaves shadows and stories and learns what it means to be brave and to forgive.

I would say the best part of the book is the "Lessons for Life and Storytelling" that appear at the beginning of each chapter. But no, the best part is the vivid, sensual detail that brings this world to life. But there's also Marjan, beautiful Marjan, so far from every typical protagonist in media today but so, so, so important. Because of her age. Because of her disability. Because of her skin color. Because of her religion. Because of her gender--her gender! And that is truly the best part of this wonderful book: the vast and varied cast of women that make up the very best parts of the tale.

And Shahrazad herself says: "I have told him tales of good women and bad women, strong women and weak women, shy women and bold women, clever women and stupid women, honest women and women who betray. I'm hoping that, by living inside their skins while he hears their stories, he'll understand over time that women are not all this way or that way--that you must judge each of us on her own merits, and not condemn us or exalt us only because we belong to a particular sex" (111-112).

Good or bad, forgivable or unforgivable, Shadow Spinner is full of all sorts of women who fly and stroll and are carried and stately proceed and run and limp off the page, full of personality and motivation and humanity. This is the kind of book I would want to put in my sons' hands, if I ever have children. A marvelous story about women, yes, but also simply a marvelous story.

Five full stars. A tangible, more permanent place, freshly dusted, on my favorites shelf.

[S.G. Willoughby · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's fun to return to childhood favorites. :) I'd forgotten that this book was about a side character, which is a fun, unique twist.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shadow Spinner is a fun 'middle grader' book set in Ancient Persia as a new twist on the story of 1001 Arabian Nights. In the original story of 1001 Arabian Nights, Shaharazad is the Sultan's wife who is keeping herself alive by telling the Sultan a story every night and ending each night without finishing the story so that the Sultan's curiosity will be aroused and he will keep her alive another day to finish the story.

In this retelling, we visit the world of Sultans, harems, palaces and slaves as seen through the eyes of Marjan, a crippled young girl (pre/early teens?). Marjan is visiting the palace one day to sell wares and while there she starts to tell a story to some of the children. Sharazad has been running out of new stories to tell the Sultan so upon hearing Marjan's storytelling, she pulls Marjan into the harem to help come up with stories.

The plot takes a few twists and turns as the Sultan recognizes Marjan's story and wants to hear the rest of it but Marjan doesn't know the second part of the story. There's a lot of fun intrigue and revelation as Marjan works with Shaharazad to find the ending to the story and to unravel a few mysteries along the way.

The format and tone of this book were a lot of fun. Each chapter begins with a short blurb labeled "Lessons for Life and Storytelling." Many of these introductory segments are profoundly thought provoking. They act as a kind of philosophical meditation on life and the impact and importance that stories can have on life.

For a fairly short and simple book, I was pleasantly surprised at the fun developments of interesting characters and intriguing plot. There were some points that were predictable but others that were uniquely unexpected. I haven't read the original 1001 Arabian Nights so I can't speak directly as to how it compares. It does evoke at least a sense of Ancient Persia and I had fun getting into the layers of myth and storytelling that Shaharazad (and others) used to present their messages.

****
4 out of 5

[Lexie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of Shahrazad has always puzzled me. This King kills his wives day after day and his people just let it happen? They didn't revolt? Monarchies have been tumbled for much less! Yet this slip of a girl manages to stand up to this King and save her people.

She has never gotten her proper due in my opinion.

Fletcher's book however is a decent step in that direction. Though about Marjan, we see what it must be like for Shahrazad. Night after night for years, constantly frightened and stressed that at any moment the wrong word, the word turn of phrase will get her family killed.

Marjan is just as brave and clever as Shahrazad, which is both a blessing and curse for women in those days. A muslim hired out to a Jewish man and his wife, her life isn't easy, but they care for her like a daughter and she is happy at least. Its not that Marjan does reckless things--impetuous perhaps, but not reckless. She emphasizes with Shahrazad and reveres her like a hero, willing to do anything (including putting her life at risk) to save hers.

The outside 'force' in the story, that of the Sultan's greedy, waspish, over indulgent mother Khatun, is necessary. Her actions are just this side of evil, but they are covered with 'I need to protect my sons!'.

Just as in life, in Shadow Spinner things do not end 'perfectly'. A measure of happiness for most, but no real 'justice' is given to Khatun's actions and Marjan is forced to flee the city, never seeing her Aunt and Uncle, or friends at the palace again. I could almost wish for a sequel, to make sure that Marjan's life hereafter isn't a let down after this adventure, but sometimes a story needs an ending.

[Karen Hao · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I don't feel ashamed loving it, it's hating. That's what's wrong."

[Jannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a beautifully done story, creating a unique twist in the tale of 1001 nights by Shehrazad. All the flavours colours and the time come alive. Very well written

[Gabi · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐️

[Candice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read a version of 1001 Arabian nights years ago. I loved it, but it had the patina of fairytale. What I respected about this book is that it is an exploration of the same material, but you can feel the grit of the sand in your teeth when you read it.

How would a sultan killing a young woman every night impact a community? What would members of that community be willing to do to prevent the loss of their daughters? What did harem life look like? And do we tell stories in order to live?

Shahrazad certainly did. Where would those stories come from? Fletcher unfurls the answers to these questions from the perspective of a young slave, Marjan, inside the harem. She is tasked with risking her own life to help Shahrazad, and she does it willingly. Along with Marjan, we experience the emotional destruction caused by the sultan’s choices, and Shahrazad’s attempts to heal it.

The book had enough action to keep my son’s interest too.

[Arminzerella · Rating 2 out of 5]

Marjan accompanies her aunt to the Sultan’s palace where she meets the famed Shahrazad, the woman whose stories have prevented the Sultan from slaying countless women in his efforts to find a faithful wife. While she’s there, she tells stories to the children who gather around, as their mothers – the women in the harem – haggle with her aunt. One of the women, Shahrazad’s sister, overhears her story, and brings her to meet Shahrazad in person. There, Marjan learns that Shahrazad is very much still imperiled. She continues to spin tales for the Sultan, but she’s running low on new material. Marjan’s story is one that she’s never heard before, and she’s delighted with it.

The following day, Marjan is summoned to the palace. She learns that Shahrazad has requested her specifically – to assist her in finding new stories for the Sultan. Specifically, Shahrazad needs to learn the ending to the story that Marjan told her the previous day. But, Marjan doesn’t know it. She only knows that she heard the beginning from an old blind man in the bazaar. Since she is now part of the harem, Marjan cannot come and go as she pleases, so the women sneak her out in a large chest.

Marjan is able to locate the storyteller, and she learns more of the story, but not its entirety. She brings this information back to Shahrazad and again they plan how she might escape the harem to learn the rest. The Sultan’s mother is suspicious and she has Marjan followed and questioned, but learns nothing. Both Marjan and Shahrazad’s sister meet the storyteller on the next occasion, but upon their return to the palace, Marjan is captured by the Sultan’s mother, imprisoned, and beaten.

The two sisters manage to arrange Marjan’s escape, but Marjan eventually returns to the palace to confront the Sultan and let him know what is really going on – not another betrayal (as his mother believes), but really a woman’s desire to love and care for him has perpetrated this entire series of events. Marriages are arranged and much happiness ensues.

This could be a much longer story if it were given more time to develop. As it is, it reads quickly, but the result is more like story bones – missing the meat that one wants to savor.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. My 14-year-old son and I read this together as part of our literature curriculum, and we both enjoyed it immensely. I credit the author for writing a story featuring mostly female characters in such a compelling way that it held the interest of a teen boy! The writing was beautifully descriptive and suspenseful, with an emphasis on the power of words and the value of empathy, forgiveness, and redemption. We definitely recommend it.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

خیلی دوستش داشتم و بارها خوندمش.خیلی جذاب بود و کشش کافی داشت.توصیفاتش به اندازه بود،نه کم و نه زیاد.کاخ شهرزاد را هنوز میتوانم پیش چشمم ببینم، کاملا زنده وتازه.(هرچند سالها پیش خوندمش)روایتها هم که محشر بودند.شاید اگر کسی مثلا توی دانشگاه بخونتش برایش جذابیتی نداشته باشد و به نظرش لوس بیاید،ولی برای زیرهجده سال واقعا کتاب خوبیه!

[Nathaniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a precious story. It's a bit of a retelling of 1001 Nights. It follows the girl who feeds the queen the stories so that she can tell them to the Sultan and live to see the next day. I thought it was done brilliantly and I wish it was longer. The world was so cool and undeveloped. There is a lot of potential.

[antonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

i’m being serious… this is one of my favourite books of all time.
THIS BOOK WAS SO BEAUTIFUL. I’ve looked at some reviews and they say it was their favourite childhood book but I had never heard of this book when I was younger. THANK GOD I HAVE IT NOW

[Bailey Marissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was different, it wasn't that good.

[Tena Edlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A student booktalked this to our class one day, and by the end of her booktalk, we ALL wanted to read it. I ordered a copy for my classroom library, and once I started it, I couldn't put it down! I was describing the story to my husband, and he said, "I know that story. It sounds like 1001 Nights... you know, Arabian Nights?" REALLY??? I had no clue. All I know is that I was completely caught up in this version with Marjan's story and her journey to help the Sultan's wife, Shahrazad. Without a new story every night, Shahrazad's life is in danger. The Sultan has been marrying a new wife every day and then killing her the next morning. So far, Shahrazad has stayed alive by telling a new story to the Sultan every night, but after 2 years, she's running out of ideas. It's up to the crippled Marjan to help. I've now put the Burton version of Arabian Nights (the source material for this novel) on my Kindle. Someday, I'm going to tackle it... if the retelling is this good, it's high praise for the original!

[Lady reading under the Willow · Rating 4 out of 5]

"People take what they need from the stories they hear; the tale is often wiser than the teller."

This is a riveting look into the life of a city peopled with fearful inhabitants, a queen with her life hanging in the balance daily, and a little girl with a maimed foot who finds herself trying to help them all. Based on the framing story of "One Thousand Nights and a Night" (Arabian Nights/1001 Nights), Susan Fletcher weaves an intriguing side story filled with peril, much wisdom, and a theme of forgiveness. I listened to the audio version narrated by Suzanne Toren and enjoyed it very much.

Note: deals with some mature themes but does so tactfully, discreetly, and tastefully. Some passages are filled with horror: mentions made of all the women being killed (not only each new queen but all the women in the harem, including servants); the description of how Marjan received the injury that left her lame; someone is drowned in a pool. Description of a beating and mentions torture of an elderly lady.

This was recommended as a read-aloud for all ages in Mystery of History Volume II. I do think it may be a bit much for littles, however. 4th grade and up, perhaps, would be my appraisal.

Pre-read for school 2022-23.

[Laura (Book Scrounger) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this to my elementary-aged kids, and thought it was well written and a neat perspective on the Shaharezad story. There was some suspense and danger, but the story didn't dwell on it, and focused more on descriptions of the various settings in this Medieval Arabic world. Probably the most difficult theme involved trying to understand how Shaharezad could come to love the Sultan after everything he had done (Sounds like Stockholm Syndrome to me). It's definitely a tough topic for adults, much less children, but also a situation far too many women have found themselves in over the past few millennia, so worth grappling with in fictional form.

[Martha · Rating 2 out of 5]

I committed the unpardonable sin of sludging through this short book for months as a read-aloud even though my daughters and I couldn’t get into it. Im sorry daughters. I’m sorry Susan Fletcher. I REALLY wanted to like it.

[Cora Rattle · Rating 5 out of 5]

My parents read this book to us growing up, maybe in middle school and it has long remained in my memory as a special story as a result. The way that storytelling is woven into the fabric of the tale is mystifying and the story keeps you engaged as you must know what is going to happen in the end.

[Jennifer Mangler · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book makes me grateful for the people I'm friends with on Goodreads, because without them I would never have known about this book and would have missed out on a terrific read. I loved the focus on storytelling, the power of stories, and the role they play in our lives.

[Donna Pincince · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the multiple story lines in the book and the glimpse inside a different culture. I also love the little quotes about stories that is at the beginning of each chapter.

[Elsie Rabus · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing book!! Fun to read!