Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister: A Novel by Gregory Maguire
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Book Reviews of Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister: A Novel
Book Review: Better Than Wicked...WOW
Summary: 5 Stars
When I read Wicked, another book by Gregory Maguire, I thought that it couldn't be beat. I loved the idea of taking an old fairy tale, and showing the other side of the story. But when I read Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister, I loved it EVEN more than I had loved Wicked. Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister is a charming, unable to put down read. I absolutly LOVED it and hope you will too.
Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister takes you to the Netherlands, where there are changling babys, haunted houses, and wonderful paintings. The sucess of the town depends compleatly on the tulip industry, which has it's ups and downs. The stepsisters arn't really mean, but they are ugly. Iris, the younger one, is painfully plain, as her mother LOVES to remind her. Ruth, the elder is mentally retarded, though it never actually says that. She can't talk in sentances, nor can she be left alone. Clara (or cinderella) is a beautiful yound dutch girl. Her mother (Henricka) and father (Van de meer) are extremmly over protective, and don't let her out of the house. But when Margarethe marrys the batchlor Van de meer, all that changes. You will have to read this AMAZING book to find out the rest. I wish that I could have given this book TEN gold stars!!!
Book Review: Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister was wonderful!
Summary: 5 Stars
This novel is a believable take on the Cinderella story, complete with step-family, ashes and a prince. Maguire sets the story with 17th century Holland as the backdrop. Dutch painting, tulip speculation, superstition and 17th century society/manners/customs feature largely in the plot.The main character is actually Iris, one of the step-sisters, with the Cinderella figure, Clara, as a supporting role. The characters of Iris, Ruth, Clara and the step-mother were complex, realistic and very individual. The complexity of Ruth's character was beautiful and sad, and I cared a great deal for her.
The end of the story, with ball and prince, wasn't quite as good as the rest of the story--in fact, the conclusion wasn't completely satisfying to me for some reason. He tied up the loose ends too neatly, I think. But then, the fairy tale element had to be present in some aspect other than just the superstitions of the day, so I suppose the "happy ending" can be justified.
On the whole, I enjoyed it tremendously. It was well written, blending history and fiction and a bit of fantasy into an deep, compelling story. I highly recommend it and will be reading the rest of his novels as soon as I can!
Book Review: Intelligent Original Retelling
Summary: 5 Stars
I read this in two days; it's a page turner. I love fairy tales and this book gets behind the milk-toast Disney version of the Cinderella story down to the more nitty gritty reality most real folk tales are based on. I've decided that this is a very feminist telling of the tale. Clara isn't exactly super feminist heroine material, but she and her sisters are in sharp contrast the the cartoon fairy tale versions of patriarchal womanhood you find in modern renditions of the this fairy tale. This retelling is raw and refreshing. As a woman, I was particularly impressed by the portrait of the relationships between the women in this story, mother to daughter, sister to sister etc. The emphasis placed on how the female characters relate to their positions in society and the way they feel, see the world and interpret their existance is fantastic. These women have voices and struggle with demons. I don't know what some of the reviewers who gave this book bad reviews are thinking, I've read books ten thousand times worse, but unfortunately not that many that were so much better! Confessions is a fun and engaging read. I'll probably give it to a friend for Christmas. It's that kind of book. I really liked it.
Book Review: The truth behind the tale!
Summary: 5 Stars
Cinderella was an avid spinster who didn't really want to marry the Prince, the magic that contributed to her appearance at a ball was a conspiracy of common happenings, the stepsisters weren't as greedy and selfish as the fairy tale makes them out to be, etc. I like this story because it reminds us that there is a great difference between reality and what becomes public knowledge. There are parallels between fairy tales and today's events that occur and become the grist of tabloids. There are layers upon layers in the retelling of this common fairy tale. And that is as it should be. As we grow up and become more mature, reality becomes more and more complex. This truth is reflected in Maguires' retelling of a story that today still has female adherents waiting for their prince to come by and have them try on a slipper after a dance in a crowded disco with music too loud to do more than exchange written telephone numbers. I liked the imaginative setting for the story and the realistic reflection of realities that can come to pass in families. The story is familiar, now read what really happened! Spend your money and your reading time on this novel - it's worth it.
Book Review: Much better ending than Wicked.
Summary: 5 Stars
On June 22, 2000, a good review was posted by Jibia from Baltimore, MD. I won't make any repeats (ok, I used one quote!) of what s/he said. Maquire's second faerie tale exceeds his previous work in some areas and falls short of it in others. The major upside is the ending. I sat thru Wicked being mesmerized by Macquire's abilities only to be grossly disappointed with the last 30 pages (issue an erratum for gossakes). This book maintains its quality to the last page and even has an interesting twist regarding perspective - not plot altering or anything but definitely a plus. Confessions lacks the epic feel of Wicked but does so in a non-"bad" way and in a fashion that makes the book that much more remarkable: "deep thought on basic human concepts" can be every bit as potent as the epic. In fact, much the"faerie" is taken out of the tale and by-and-large, with only minor suspension of belief, I was thinking "hey, something like this could have really happen." If you have any interest in de-faeried faerie tales, this one won't disappoint.