Scan barcode
chelseacounsell's review against another edition
4.0
Read this for the second time just now because I wanted a cozy read and my childhood self remembered this book as being good. It’s really weird because I distinctly remember being SO MAD as a child that the movie was different than the book (specifically the end conflict), but I could not tell you how the book or movie went as a 31 year old prior to reading. I just had vague good vibes. Anyway, uh, this book is pretty good. Seems to kind of have a meandering plot which is interesting. Ella’s curse hits WAY HARDER as an adult who’s been sexually coerced/abused. RIP me.
More interestingly, even though this book is cozy and whimsical, it definitely doesn’t have the “anglophilic” vibe I associate with writers like Diana Wynne Jones or Terry Pratchett. Obviously, the author Levine is American, but she didn’t seem to be narratively leaning into these preexisting structures.
Ella Enchanted is a Cinderella retelling that has been turned on it’s head. The titular character has been cursed from birth to be always obedient, which gets her into many a pickle. The romance between her and the prince is drawn out throughout the book as an attraction and appreciation that grows over time rather than one founded in the space of one night. Though the worldbuilding is really swell (I much enjoyed attending the Giant’s wedding and spending time with the Elves), the real joy in the work is in Ella, who is a sweet and kind underdog who uses her wits and her gift with languages (a rare and interesting talent for middle grade protagonists!) to get herself out of a pinch. Also I like that the prince just takes Ella as herself and is enamored with everything she does. That’s really sweet.
Ah, but I did read the audiobook, and I felt that the musical bits in it were distracting.
More interestingly, even though this book is cozy and whimsical, it definitely doesn’t have the “anglophilic” vibe I associate with writers like Diana Wynne Jones or Terry Pratchett. Obviously, the author Levine is American, but she didn’t seem to be narratively leaning into these preexisting structures.
Ella Enchanted is a Cinderella retelling that has been turned on it’s head. The titular character has been cursed from birth to be always obedient, which gets her into many a pickle. The romance between her and the prince is drawn out throughout the book as an attraction and appreciation that grows over time rather than one founded in the space of one night. Though the worldbuilding is really swell (I much enjoyed attending the Giant’s wedding and spending time with the Elves), the real joy in the work is in Ella, who is a sweet and kind underdog who uses her wits and her gift with languages (a rare and interesting talent for middle grade protagonists!) to get herself out of a pinch. Also I like that the prince just takes Ella as herself and is enamored with everything she does. That’s really sweet.
Ah, but I did read the audiobook, and I felt that the musical bits in it were distracting.
k3depro's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
larkwater's review against another edition
5.0
SO much better than the movie. The movie is NOTHING like the book. At all. Don't even bother watching the movie, and if you already have (I feel sorry for you) don't let it scare you away from this fantastic book! I read it 3 times and listened to it hundreds more times when I was younger!
aiaiana's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
librarianinperiwinkle's review against another edition
5.0
I read this book in grad school. LOVED it!! The movie does NOT do it justice.
kittycat2302's review against another edition
4.0
This probably would have been five stars, except that the ending was a bit too abrupt! It was a thoroughly enjoyable book, and a great exploration of obedience, consent, and agency. Definitely recommend. That said, if your child is reading it, they may get a bit of a hyped up expectation of love- Prince Char is, indeed, almost TOO perfect. And dreamy. ;-)
murderbotsbestie's review against another edition
3.0
I reread this book for nostalgia purposes. It was really the height of "I'm not like other girls," but I still enjoyed it.