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Dawn (USA: CA) (2007/12/18):
This is a bookcrossing.com book so it is registered there also.
xeyra (Portugal) (2008/04/27):
Reading this book was like finding an old friend after not speaking with them for a while, which is the feeling I have when I read a book after seeing the movie based upon it - at least when I like them both. As it was based on the fairy-tale about Cinderella, there was little surprise about its ending (we were already expecting her to get the prince, of course), though this particular tale's last chapter does not point to the happy ever after finale we're so used to see in fairy-tales. Perhaps because this story is not a fairy-tale -- it has very little of magic and much more stark realism, a well-thought, engaging and delightful interpretation of the much beloved tale of Cinderella.I enjoyed it; it is not perfect, of course, and it takes a while for one to get used to the tense it is written in, but it gave us a different point of view to this story, showing us life through the stepsister's perspective and giving us a portrait of them that shows them not as simple secondary characters that are cruel to their beautiful sister as the fairy-tale, in all its simplicity, shows us, but instead real, breathing characters with their motivations and dreams, desires and personalities. Iris is a delightful character to read about, intelligent and down-to-earth, but I think Margarethe's characterization was the best in the book: cunning, resourceful, with impeccable sharpness and vicious in her own way, but never the outright evil stepmother we might expect. In fact, the main difference between this story and the original fairy-tale is that there is hardly any black or white and even this particular Cinderella can be capricious and annoying. So, no, there is hardly much fairy-tale in this novel. The story is inspired by the original but it retains a uniqueness of its own, and it was a pleasure to read. As far as interpretations go, this one is a very good one, and it shows us that, indeed, those ugly, vicious stepsisters the stories tell us about were only human. I was surprised when I realized who was really telling the story, as I hadn't guessed whom the ugly stepsister in the title was referring to, but I think it was very fitting. And despite there not being any fairy godmother in the book (though there was one in the movie, minus the magic wand!), the tale had a magic of its own.
Jennifer (USA: LA) (2008/08/17):
Ugh - someone mooch this quick! I read Wicked and hated it... but thought I would give the author another chance. Chance given - hated this one too.
Colleen (USA: TX) (2012/11/10):
Gregory Maguire is brilliant. Since before I can remember, I have loved anything “princess”. I’ve watched all the Disney movies and just loved them. My love for the movies consists of love for these characters that get lost in love and enjoy their happy endings. Who doesn’t want a happy ending? What I love about Maguire’s writing is that he brings a realistic side to all these stories. I absolutely loved Wicked. It was the first of Maguire’s that I read before seeing it on Broadway. Followed by Son of a Witch to find out what happens next. This is only the 3rd of his books that I have read and I have loved it equally. I love that he can take these characters and put “real’ life into them. Hearing the Cinderella story told by her ugly step sister Iris, it’s fun to have a different point of view. I ended up having a love/love relationship with just about every character introduced in this story. I will always love the classic way the stories are told, but will love these just as much. I am looking forward to reading more from this author. Over all I give this book a B+
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