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A review by bluenicorn
Cinder Edna by Ellen Jackson
2.0
I've got a lot of issues with this book. Granted, I have a lot of issues with princess books, and the Cinderella story, in general, but something about this one got to me even more. Cinder Edna lives a life parallel to Cinderella- but deals with everything differently. Instead of being sad that she lives a life of abused servitude, she's all "hey whatever, man, it happens!" Instead of being pretty, she is plain. She takes a bus to the ball, because unlike Cinderella, "Cinder Edna didn't believe in fairy godmothers." She meets the prince's brother, and they bond over recycling and tuna casseroles and bad jokes, but she's got to go catch the bus.
Superficially, it sounds great- the dream for the young reader doesn't have to be beauty, or marrying a handsome prince. The dream can be knowing yourself and being okay with being a real, un-idealized woman. Finding a man who enjoys your sense of humor is more important than finding a super-handsome boring man. My issue, however, is that it comes at the expense of Cinderella. At every turn, Cinderella is painted as, basically, a dumb, helpless blonde. She is putting on lipstick at the alter. And she is gazing off in what we can interpret as boredom or wistfulness or disappointment at the end- her life and story are "less than" Cinder Edna's. I don't like that. I don't like putting down one type of woman in order to build up another- it's damaging and counterproductive. I like that she is able to sort of save herself, instead of being saved by the prince (which is still arguable), but... not every person is there on their journey. Leave Cinderella alone- she may not be in the same place but she's handling her life in the only way she knows how to. She doesn't need to be shamed for that- she needs understanding. I can't believe I just wrote that, but whatever- it's staying.
Superficially, it sounds great- the dream for the young reader doesn't have to be beauty, or marrying a handsome prince. The dream can be knowing yourself and being okay with being a real, un-idealized woman. Finding a man who enjoys your sense of humor is more important than finding a super-handsome boring man. My issue, however, is that it comes at the expense of Cinderella. At every turn, Cinderella is painted as, basically, a dumb, helpless blonde. She is putting on lipstick at the alter. And she is gazing off in what we can interpret as boredom or wistfulness or disappointment at the end- her life and story are "less than" Cinder Edna's. I don't like that. I don't like putting down one type of woman in order to build up another- it's damaging and counterproductive. I like that she is able to sort of save herself, instead of being saved by the prince (which is still arguable), but... not every person is there on their journey. Leave Cinderella alone- she may not be in the same place but she's handling her life in the only way she knows how to. She doesn't need to be shamed for that- she needs understanding. I can't believe I just wrote that, but whatever- it's staying.