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A review by angelarosereads
Just Ella by Margaret Peterson Haddix
2.0
This was such an interesting concept, but was executed in a way that left such a bad taste in my mouth. I feel that (with the two Disney versions) Cinderella’s strength is that she is powerful enough to be able to hold onto hope and happiness in spite of all of her mistreatment and struggles in life. This version of her is not that.
It seems to me that they try to take a “feminist” twist by having her be sassy to her step-family and stand up for herself and her future, which is good.... until you read her putting down and judging other people for their looks, weight, and intelligence levels throughout nearly every page of the book. She doesn’t spare a kind thought for hardly anyone, which really isn’t a character that I root for or find hardly any redeeming qualities in. That is not feminist either. She doesn’t have to be kind or hopeful like the Cinderellas we know, but I need something to make me care about her. Her taking her future into her own hands is a great twist on the fairy tale, but everything else was just not good for me.
The plot also takes a weirdly dark and cruel turn, and included some things that felt unnecessarily disturbing. I also could not tell what age range this was written for. At first I thought it was nearly middle grade, which was why Ella’s thoughts were so mean and childish, but then some situations arose that made me think it is intended for YA.
I gave it an extra star because I thought the concept and twist they took on the fairy tale was interesting. This could have been a great story so easily. But with all that potential I was especially let down by the direction the writing and plot took.
It seems to me that they try to take a “feminist” twist by having her be sassy to her step-family and stand up for herself and her future, which is good.... until you read her putting down and judging other people for their looks, weight, and intelligence levels throughout nearly every page of the book. She doesn’t spare a kind thought for hardly anyone, which really isn’t a character that I root for or find hardly any redeeming qualities in. That is not feminist either. She doesn’t have to be kind or hopeful like the Cinderellas we know, but I need something to make me care about her. Her taking her future into her own hands is a great twist on the fairy tale, but everything else was just not good for me.
The plot also takes a weirdly dark and cruel turn, and included some things that felt unnecessarily disturbing. I also could not tell what age range this was written for. At first I thought it was nearly middle grade, which was why Ella’s thoughts were so mean and childish, but then some situations arose that made me think it is intended for YA.
I gave it an extra star because I thought the concept and twist they took on the fairy tale was interesting. This could have been a great story so easily. But with all that potential I was especially let down by the direction the writing and plot took.