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Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister
By Gregory Macguire, Headline Publishing
Book Room Review
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Cover Summary
We all have
heard the story of Cinderella, the beautiful child cast out to slave among the
ashes. But what of her stepsisters, the homely pair exiled into ignominy by the
fame of their lovely sibling? What fate befell those untouched by beauty . . .
and what curses accompanied Cinderella's exquisite looks.
Set
against the rich backdrop of seventeenth-century
Book
Review
Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister begins with Margarethe leading her two
daughters, Iris and Ruth, in search of food. They are homeless and poverty
stricken until they encounter an egotistical, angry artist by the name of The
Master. He takes them in under the condition that Iris poses for a painting.
The painting has been commissioned by a wealthy man, Van den Meer, who notices
that Iris can speak both Dutch and English.
He agrees to have Margarethe hired as his cook so Iris can teach his
beautiful daughter, Clara, English. Eventually Van den Meer’s wife dies and he
marries Margarethe, thus becoming Clara’s evil stepmother. But this is where
the fairy tale differs from the book.
Iris
grows attached to Clara and her sister Ruth is portrayed as simple. We don’t
even meet the prince until closer to the end of the book. Gregory Macguire brings to life complex
characters and shows us a different perspective on the differences of beauty
and ugliness. Just when I thought I had
the story figured out, Mr. Macguire left me reeling with a twist in the final
chapter. This is a book that changes
perspectives and makes you think. I wish
all fairy tales for were so thoughtful.
Book Room Grade
B
Review Posted: June 2, 2008
Review Requested by www.readingcircle.co.uk
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