New Book: The Wager by Donna Jo Napoli

Today is the release day for The Wager by Donna Jo Napoli.

Product description from the publisher:

Don Giovanni was once the wealthiest and handsomest young man in Messina. Then a tidal wave changed everything. When a well-dressed stranger offers him a magical purse, he knows he shouldn’t take it. Only the devil would offer a deal like this, and only a fool would accept.

Don Giovanni is no fool, but he is desperate. He takes the bet: he will not bathe for 3 years, 3 months, and 3 days. Beauty is a small price to pay for worldly wealth, isn’t it? Unless he loses the wager—and with it his soul.

Set against the stunning backdrop of ancient Sicily, Donna Jo Napoli’s new novel is a powerful tale about discovering what truly matters most.

I haven't seen any reviews for the book yet, but I expect the usual standard of Napoli. See a list of her fairy tale related titles on SurLaLune.

I haven't read the book yet--I'm still waiting for my own copy from Amazon as I write this--but I am interested in it since it is a rare novelization of an Italian Bearskin variant, Don Giovanni de la Fortuna. So that is all I know for now, but it is enough for me.

When I see some reviews, I will share more...