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Search - Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister
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Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister Author: |
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Book Information
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Other Versions of this Book: Hardcover, Audio Cassette (Abridged), Hardcover
Book Description:
Is this new land a place where magics really happen?
From Gregory Maguire, the acclaimed author of Wicked, comes his much-anticipated second novel, a brilliant and provocative retelling of the timeless Cinderella tale.
In the lives of children, pumpkins can turn into coaches, mice and rats into human beings.... When we grow up, we learn that it's far more common for human beings to turn into rats....
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?
Extreme beauty is an affliction
Set against the rich backdrop of seventeenth-century Holland, Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister tells the story of Iris, an unlikely heroine who finds herself swept from the lowly streets of Haarlem to a strange world of wealth, artifice, and ambition. Iris's path quickly becomes intertwined with that of Clara, the mysterious and unnaturally beautiful girl destined to become her sister.
Clara was the prettiest child, but was her life the prettiest tale?
While Clara retreats to the cinders of the family hearth, burning all memories of her past, Iris seeks out the shadowy secrets of her new household--and the treacherous truth of her former life.
God and Satan snarling at each other like dogs.... Imps and fairy godmothers trying to undo each other's work. How we try to pin the world between opposite extremes!
Far more than a mere fairy-tale, Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister is a novel of beauty and betrayal, illusion and understanding, reminding us that deception can be unearthed--and love unveiled--in the most unexpected of places.
From Gregory Maguire, the acclaimed author of Wicked, comes his much-anticipated second novel, a brilliant and provocative retelling of the timeless Cinderella tale.
In the lives of children, pumpkins can turn into coaches, mice and rats into human beings.... When we grow up, we learn that it's far more common for human beings to turn into rats....
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?
Extreme beauty is an affliction
Set against the rich backdrop of seventeenth-century Holland, Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister tells the story of Iris, an unlikely heroine who finds herself swept from the lowly streets of Haarlem to a strange world of wealth, artifice, and ambition. Iris's path quickly becomes intertwined with that of Clara, the mysterious and unnaturally beautiful girl destined to become her sister.
Clara was the prettiest child, but was her life the prettiest tale?
While Clara retreats to the cinders of the family hearth, burning all memories of her past, Iris seeks out the shadowy secrets of her new household--and the treacherous truth of her former life.
God and Satan snarling at each other like dogs.... Imps and fairy godmothers trying to undo each other's work. How we try to pin the world between opposite extremes!
Far more than a mere fairy-tale, Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister is a novel of beauty and betrayal, illusion and understanding, reminding us that deception can be unearthed--and love unveiled--in the most unexpected of places.
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Top Member Book Reviews
Jo Anne C. (
23 member(s) found this review helpful.
I postponed reading this book for two years because I kept hearing, "It's not as good as Wicked.
I'm so sorry I waited. Those who judged it on the basis of Wicked must have loved Wicked for different reasons than I. Perhaps they only like fantasy or gothic genres.
This book is a delicious historical novel set in Holland during the Reformation. It's the sort of brooding story to read on a rainy day, wrapped in a comforter in your favorite chair with a pot of tea nearby.
Rather than compare it to Wicked, I'd say that those who loved Girl with a Pearl Earring would enjoy this book.
Hayley H. (
12 member(s) found this review helpful.
This was my first Gregory Maguire book and its prob a good thing since all the other reviews mostly compare it to Wicked. Well I enjoyed this book very much. It was really not a "can't put it down" book for me at least. There were many parts where after 20 pgs I would be bored and go do something else. But when I wasn't reading it I was thinking about it and couldn't wait to finish it. I would recommend this book to anyone. I thought the story was going to be more magical and fairy tale like but it really wasn't at all. It was about a mother and her 2 daughters who fled England from the mobbing town and end up in Holland looking for their Grandfather. Once they arrive in Holland they are faced with challenges and the mother will do anything to secure her families safety. I really disliked the mother but who doesn't in the "cinderella" story. Overall good read:)
Erica H. (
9 member(s) found this review helpful.
For me, Gregory Maguire is a hit or miss. Wicked took me a while to get into, but i did like it eventually. Son of a Witch? No thanks. Mirror Mirror - just okay. I really did enjoy this one, right from the start, though. While the tale of Cinderella goes way back before the one which most of us are familiar with, the most popular version sure does leave a lot explained! He did a fantastic job giving motivation and alternate explanations of the tale, without actually contradicting the version we are familiar with. It definitely was an enjoyable read, and I felt for the ugly stepsisters.
Nichole W. (
8 member(s) found this review helpful.
God,this book took me forever to read.I mean forever as in about a week in a half because it was so boring. I had to force myself to read it. However,there were some very good themes in the book. For example,the beautiful Clara (Cinderella), who's ill temper caused her to be a brat but still she was a good person.Through Clara, we see that the beautiful do not always lead such charmed lives.Beauty in some cases is an affliction rather than a gift.The so-called ugly stepsisters,Iris and Ruth are ugly only in physical features but are beautiful inside. The wicked stepmother was in fact wicked. She was willing to do anything to improve her station in life,and I do mean anything. In the end, we see that beauty is only skin deep.what’s on the inside really does matters more and that desperation and bad luck will make anyone a monster.
Shannon H. (
7 member(s) found this review helpful.
I love the idea of rewriting classic fairytales from the betrodden's point of view. Maguire, when at his best, has an amazing ability of turning what seems like a cut-and-dry-happily-ever-after tale into a labrynthe of intrigue, passion, and depth. He proved this to me in Wicked. I must say, I was sorely disappointed in Mirror Mirror. But after reading Confessions (and Son of Witch), I'm a believer again. I recommend this book but gave it only three stars simply because Wicked is still ten times better in my opinion.
6 member(s) found this review helpful.
I could barely get through the first chapters when I had to put it down. I'm normally a faithful fantasy reader but I don't know...this just seemed silly to me.
6 member(s) found this review helpful.
If you think you really know the story of Cinderella--think again. Gregory Maguire is brilliant in his effort to intertwine a cornerstone fairy tale with the timeless debate of what constitutes "beauty." To what extent will one go to sustain it and what can one do to survive without it?
4 member(s) found this review helpful.
Excellent. No abuse, no wickedness, just peoples foibles dragging them toward the conclusion
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
Set in 17th century Holland, an unlikely heroin (Iris)finds herself swept into a Cinderella story of wealth and ambition. She becomes involved in the world of Clara, the mysterious and unnaturally beautiful girl who is destined to become her stepsister. This makes Iris the Ugly Stepsister. A novel of beauty and betrayal, illusion and uderstanding, reminding one that deception can be unearthed - and love unvelied - in the most unexpected placed. Iris' mother and sister are major players in this unexpected ending.
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Highly original and most creative version of Cinderella...really enjoyed reading this, on par with Wicked.
Please Rate these Book Reviews
Jessica M. (Honestly, I found this to be a MUCH better read then Wicked. Its a beautiful story of love and sister hood that turns the Cinderella tale up on it's head. The first person narrative (which I usually don't care for) is effective in both telling the story, and allowing the reader to identify personally with the story teller.
This book is for everyone who has ever gotten the short end of the stick, a book to read again and again.
Had a hard time getting through the language but the story was great.Last 100 pgs were the best.
Shanan O. (Fun book - not as good as Wicked though, in my opinion.
Somewhat entertaining. I didn't fully get into it, but finished it in a few hours. Quick read, but I'm not very impressed. It doesn't make me want to read any others.
Definitely not as good as "Wicked", but worth reading if you enjoyed that book.
Summer B. (
Miranda M. (I loved this book. Although the characters were not as engaging as Wicked, he has a way of brining you in to their world that truly captures you.
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