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book_concierge's review against another edition
4.0
This is a new translation / adaptation of Charles Perrault’s famous story, with wonderful illustrations by Marcia Brown (for which she was awarded the Caldecott Medal).
What I really like about this version of the story is the way that Cinderella is portrayed as a very kind young woman, but clearly not a doormat. She speaks up for herself when it counts. Her stepsisters are never referred to as “ugly” either; rather they are selfish, self-absorbed, and rather hateful towards Cinderella. They are as blind to her virtues as they are to their own faults.
The translation also differs from original versions of the story in the way it ends – for the stepsisters. Cinderella, in her goodness, arranges good marriages for them to two lords in the Prince’s Court.
I was fascinated by the technique of Brown’s illustrations. She uses a few pen strokes to suggest a gown, for example, and then a wash of color to complete the image. This lends a rather ethereal, fairy-tale feeling to the drawings; very effective.
What I really like about this version of the story is the way that Cinderella is portrayed as a very kind young woman, but clearly not a doormat. She speaks up for herself when it counts. Her stepsisters are never referred to as “ugly” either; rather they are selfish, self-absorbed, and rather hateful towards Cinderella. They are as blind to her virtues as they are to their own faults.
The translation also differs from original versions of the story in the way it ends – for the stepsisters. Cinderella, in her goodness, arranges good marriages for them to two lords in the Prince’s Court.
I was fascinated by the technique of Brown’s illustrations. She uses a few pen strokes to suggest a gown, for example, and then a wash of color to complete the image. This lends a rather ethereal, fairy-tale feeling to the drawings; very effective.
sophiereads500's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
romanoirs's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Read for a class - this one was darker than I remembered. Imagine cutting off your toe to fit in a shoe - couldn't be me.
nicolefrailedits's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I had heard a few details from the original Grimm story before, but it was cool to actually hear it. I listened to an audio version on Spotify.
lannthacker's review against another edition
3.0
A dreamy rendition of the classic tale. It was nice to read a non-Disney translation.
aphrilis's review against another edition
4.0
*Reading Books for 5 months that Inspired Disney Before Disney World Trip Book Five*
Wow. That was disturbing.
Wow. That was disturbing.
wetdryvac's review against another edition
5.0
Really well executed combination of retelling and art.