Before Midnight: A Retelling of "Cinderella" (Once Upon a Time)
by Cameron Dokey
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Read in March, 2008
I love Cinderella stories – from Cinder Edna (Ellen Jackson), Ella Enchanted (Gail Carson Levine), and the Princess Diaries books through “Ever After.” There are a ton of picture-book versions: one where all the characters are made of flowers, a jazz-age flapper Cinderella, dogs photographed in ball gowns. My favorites feature plucky, not passive, Cinderellas. Before Midnight’s heroine, Cendrillon, is more on the passive side for my tastes, but otherwise there is...more
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Read in January, 2008
recommends it for:
fairy tale fans
Her mother dies giving birth to her, something that Cendrillon's father cannot forgive. Soon after Cendrillon is born, her father leaves her in the care of the housekeeper, Old Mathilde. He also drops off a baby boy. He won't say who the boy is, only that he must never leave the estate.
Cendrillon eventually wishes for a mother and sisters to love her, and is shocked when a stepmother soon arrives, along with two sisters. Cendrillon's father has not told his new wife that he has a daughte...more
Cendrillon eventually wishes for a mother and sisters to love her, and is shocked when a stepmother soon arrives, along with two sisters. Cendrillon's father has not told his new wife that he has a daughte...more
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Read in January, 2008
This piece of fiction is fantastically written and very much a "gripper," difficult to put down. I never imagined I'd read a semi-realistic Cinderella story that would be as deeply thought out and filled with so many clever surprises! Plus, I love fiction novels that are set in times when Ladies were lady-like and proper, Lords of the manor were absent and mysterious and people still travelled on horseback and in horse-drawn carriages. (ie. Emily Bronte types) There was one thing I eas...more
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Read in January, 2007
recommended to Rachel by:
Aliya; I know you hated it too, hah.recommends it for: No one in particular, unless you want something to rant about.
I, in my romance-loving mind, detested this book. It honestly wouldn't have been so depressing if their Cinderella hadn't gone with the prince whom she'd known for about an hour! The only problem that I have with some of these retellings is that although you can figure out the couples, sometimes you get mixed up and expect something different - and something logical. "Love-at-first-sight" isn't logical, therefore, this book kind of annoyed me. These retellings are either hit or miss in...more
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What a smart, fun young adult book! I definitely prefer this version of the Cinderella story to the ones we so often hear. Great for anyone who enjoys young adult fiction, who is looking for a good book for young women readers(12 or 13 and up) or loves the happily ever after story. If you read this one be sure to read the authors note in the back of the book, preferably before you read the book, it explains some things regarding the original fairy tale. I will be reading more of the "Onc...more
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Read in January, 2008
What a pleasant surprise for any lover of retellings of fairy tales!
I feared this small book, one of the "Once Upon A Time" series, would be a poorly written disappointment. Instead, it was a well written twist on the Cindrella story. It achieved two ends: 1. The writing style captures the magic that fairy-tale readers long for; and 2. The intriguing analysis of the father, the first wife, and the step-mother adds the new dimension to the old tale.
I plan to read more of the ser
I feared this small book, one of the "Once Upon A Time" series, would be a poorly written disappointment. Instead, it was a well written twist on the Cindrella story. It achieved two ends: 1. The writing style captures the magic that fairy-tale readers long for; and 2. The intriguing analysis of the father, the first wife, and the step-mother adds the new dimension to the old tale.
I plan to read more of the ser
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Read in January, 2008
recommended to Liz by:
Liz Coxrecommends it for: anyone who likes Cinderella
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
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Read in March, 2008
This was a joyous take on the classic script and I was really impressed with the characters and the writer. It was easy for me to get lost in the book, which is all I really ask for, and I finished it in one day.
Although, I had a hot and cold feeling toward Old Mathilde. As the Fairy Godmother, she should have been more supportive. I dunno about any other Fairy Godmothers who allow Cinderella to be kidnapped.
All in all, I really enjoyed this read.
Although, I had a hot and cold feeling toward Old Mathilde. As the Fairy Godmother, she should have been more supportive. I dunno about any other Fairy Godmothers who allow Cinderella to be kidnapped.
All in all, I really enjoyed this read.
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Read in May, 2008
recommends it for:
readers who enjoy fairy tales retold
I really enjoyed this unusual retelling of the Cinderella fairy tale. Dokey redeems the character of the "evil stepmother" in favor of showing us the mystery of Cinderella's absent father and finding the true source of her unhappiness. The unusual magic surrounding Cendrillon's (as she is called in this one) childhood home added extra depth and fantasy to a familiar story. I had a hard time putting it down.
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Read in October, 2007
i really liked this retelling. the ending had a twist that i really enjoyed. i really liked the relationship between the two main characters. i also appreciated the reason that "Cinderella" was doing all of the chores for her stepsisters. i didn't give it the full number of stars because there were too many examples of "love at first sight". i just thought it should be more rare.
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I enjoyed this book --it is a really light, quick read (I read it yesterday and still did everything else I had to do) Another "cinderella" story, this one more of a focus on the magic of love (and not just romantic - in fact, there really isn't a lot of romance) and the evils of turning your back on love. Interesting ideas about the Stepfamily and why the father is absent.
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Read in April, 2008
Yet another version of Cinderella to add to my collection... This version still doesn't meet the standards of my favorite, Ella Enchanted, but it is a great story nonetheless. It has a nice mixture of magic and reality. I also liked the stepmother and stepsisters with their softened personalities. The book is an easy read and it has some interesting twists.
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Read in January, 2008
I thorougly enjoyed this novel. It is a retelling of Cinderella, but told in such an obscure format, you hardly even recognize the 'original' Cinderella story. I thought this novel was fresh and imaginative. It is a very quick read and full of mystery, romance, and a little action!
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Read in February, 2008
recommends it for:
To everyone who loves love
WOW, what a beautiful retelling. It was so different, and it made it so real to me. I love Cinderella more now than ever before! Cameron Dokey did a wonderful job on her characters and making them very real, and was very vivid in her landscaping and everything else as well.
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Read in August, 2007
I always love another Cinderella story. This one was a little different, with Cinderella's dad still in the picture. This is also the first Cinderella story I've read that has politics in it as well, so that was new and refreshing.
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Read in April, 2008
Awwwwwwwww. Cinderella as teen romance. It's all very sweet and predictable, and not just due to familiarity with the source material. A light, fun read, though a bit blah and nothing I'm inclined to pass along to others.
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Read in December, 2007
I thought it was a very fun book. As the title says, it is a re-telling, so it is interesting to see this author's take of the classic "Cinderella." I thought it was fun, and I always love when there is a happy ending.
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Read in February, 2008
I love retellings of fairy tales and this book did not disappoint. Cendrillion is a beautiful character, one who rises above oppopsition. I especially like the step-mother in this book, she is nice!
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Read in October, 2007
It was fun to read this story of Cinderella. I liked the author's take on the characters and would recommend it to anyone who likes fairy tales.
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Read in February, 2008
Claire and I call these "fluff" books. Not a whole lot of brain strength required, but very entertaining. Pretty fun retelling of Cinderella.
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