confessions of an ugly stepsister

Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister: A Novel by Gregory Maguire

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars

What an interesting take on the Cinderella story. Here we learn about the step-sisters and although they are "ugly" they aren't the mean things we see in Disney's version. They are victims of circumstance trying to survive. Though we do see that their mother is not as kind as one is led to believe in the beginning of the tale.

Maguire sets his version in the Netherlands at the beginning of the 17th century. The country has gone through reformation and has turned away Catholicism in favor of Calvinism. Dutch painters are many and vying for commissions. Also, the tulip is king until the collapse of the market.

Though this was written several years ago, I can't help but draw parallels to our current financial crisis. What will people do in order to survive?

I really enjoyed Maguire's spin on the story. There is enough of the original kept to make us think that maybe this is really the way the story went. In the eBook, the original fairy tale is included for comparison.

I like how the author cane weave a fairy tale with political commentary and make it all enjoyable.


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