Ella Enchanted (Ella Enchanted, #1) in Around the Year in 52 Books

Jan 02, 2015 Lacey Louwagie rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy, fairy-tales, middle-grade, retelling, youngadult, youngadultfantasy, into-the-forest-2015, 100-book-challenge-2015

Finally, I have read this book that is essentially part of the modern fairy tale canon!

Just because of circumstance, I had read less well-known Levine books before this one: The Fairy's Return and Other Princess Tales, and Fairest. While her retelling style is consistent across all, which take place in the same world, after reading Ella Enchanted I could see why this one in particular stands out. At first I thought the style was a little too cutesy for my taste, but I liked the exploration of al Finally, I have read this book that is essentially part of the modern fairy tale canon!

Just because of circumstance, I had read less well-known Levine books before this one: The Fairy's Return and Other Princess Tales, and Fairest. While her retelling style is consistent across all, which take place in the same world, after reading Ella Enchanted I could see why this one in particular stands out. At first I thought the style was a little too cutesy for my taste, but I liked the exploration of all the conundrums one could find herself in with a curse of obedience such as Ella had. This is also an especially compelling explanation for how Cinderella of the traditional tale could have become a slave in her own home -- I remember the first thing I started questioning about the story of Cinderella was why she didn't just say NO to her stepfamily's demands. (As I got older, I had a better understanding of the psychology of abuse and this question became less puzzling to me -- still it's one that bears exploring in any retelling of Cinderella.)

Levine's worldbuilding, while somewhat superficial, still brings a new perspective to the genre, particularly her characterization of giants as kind and gregarious -- I loved the description of the giant wedding ceremony! It was also refreshing to have a royal family that was kind and down-to-earth (it gave me the feeling that Frell is something of a small, backwater kingdom, but I could be wrong). The stepmother gets very little play in this version, but both the stepsisters were well characterized, the younger one in such a way that I actually found her quite sympathetic.

And the love story -- what can I say? I am 33 and married and consider myself more pragmatic than romantic, but the earnestness of this love story really captured my heart in a way that was totally unexpected, and I felt as excited by it as I would have had I read this book at 13. The ending sequence with the ball and the slipper hunt and such felt a little rushed, and I wanted a little more from the actual breaking of the curse. But overall, it was easy to see why this book has become beloved by so many. ...more

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Jun 06, 2011 Brandi rated it really liked it

Shelves: school, 2011, middle-grade, juvenile

Some may dream of being bestowed with a fairy's gift. Ella does not need to dream of such things. As an infant, Ella was "blessed" with the gift of obedience by the extravagant fairy, Lucinda. Unfortunately, Lucinda's gift was a bit more specific than one would have liked. Throughout her entire life, Ella has been compelled to obey every command uttered whether it is a purposeful demand or a thoughtless instruction. Commanded by her mother to keep the curse a secret from others, with the excepti Some may dream of being bestowed with a fairy's gift. Ella does not need to dream of such things. As an infant, Ella was "blessed" with the gift of obedience by the extravagant fairy, Lucinda. Unfortunately, Lucinda's gift was a bit more specific than one would have liked. Throughout her entire life, Ella has been compelled to obey every command uttered whether it is a purposeful demand or a thoughtless instruction. Commanded by her mother to keep the curse a secret from others, with the exception of Mandy the cook, Ella must obey whatever charge is presented.

Ella's already difficult world takes a turn for the unbearable when her mother passes away. Her father being a merchant trademan, Ella never developed a close relationship with him. Ella turns to the only two people in the world who understand her; one who knows her secret, Mandy the cook who happens to be a fairy, and one who does not, Prince Charmont. Ella's father soon finds solace in the loss of his wife with a new woman, Dame Olga, who, along with her dreadful daughters Hattie and Olive find a permanent place in Ella's life. Things grow even more dire when the eldest daughter soon discovers Ella's secret and turns Ella into no more than a servant. Through secret correspondance, the prince reveals his true feelings for Ella which causes her to shirk away from him so that her curse cannot ruin his life as well. All the while, Ella seeks out the fairy who so carelessly brought this curse upon her in hopes that it can be lifted and her life improved.

When I looked over the list of 100 books to chose from, I realized that I had read quite a bit of the older novels, but not nearly enough of the more recent books. I love any kind of fairy tale retelling so Ella Enchanted caught my eye as the book for me. Levine has created a roundabout interpretation of "Cinderella" that has earned the numerous awards bestowed upon it. The greatest aspect of this novel is Ella's attitude. Even though she is cursed with something that in all rights so strip her of any minute remnant of individualism, Ella does whatever she can to stay strong and independant. I also thought it was interesting how intelligent Ella is. When I think about the character of Cinderella, I always imagine her as a kind, beautiful woman who puts up with a great deal of crap without standing up for herself. Levine's interpretation presents us with a quick-witted, smart Cinderella character who is still beautiful but also much more. I never did see the film based on the novel, but now I am curious to see this wonderful story brought to life. ...more

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Jan 07, 2015 Ana rated it it was amazing

Shelves: young-adult, fantasy, 2015, 2015-wriye, 2015-march

I love this book. I never even touched the movie with a stick because this book means so much to me. It's so much more than a version of Cinderella, the world and the characters and the situations that happen are just amazing. And at the heart of it is the story of strength and what it is to be a good person. ...more

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Sep 21, 2007 Cindy rated it liked it · review of another edition

Gail Carson Levine is one of those amazing authors who never put out anything that isn't amazing. I wish her novels had existed before I was an adult because they would have been right up my alley in middle school. Of course they are still up my alley and I'm 40 so I guess it doesn't really matter. ...more

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