Last week I looked at a list of “Twelve Dancing Princesses” retellings, and this week I thought I’d look at what might be the best-known fairy tale in this culture–Cinderella. I suspect if I really tried to gather up every version I’ve read, this would become completely unmanagable! So, I’m highlighting the major ones and recent reads instead. 🙂
One thing I found interesting in searching out the “originals” (with due acknowledgement to earlier oral tradition) is that “Cinderella” is one of the few stories that’s in both Charles Perrault and the Brothers Grimm. Between the two of them, they seem to account for almost every major fairy tale in Western culture, so maybe both of them presenting “Cinderella” is part of the key to its popularity. And, of course, it plays right into the dream that life can be better–that no matter how dreadful your circumstances, everything can change (and the cynic in me says, without you even needing to do anything!)
Later versions have mostly been pretty consistent with the older ones, in the major strokes at least. Cinderella is a kind, beautiful girl who is downtrodden by her nasty, ugly stepmother and stepsisters. When the prince throws a ball to find a bride, Cinderella desperately wants to go. And she does, aided by some kind of magic–either a fairy godmother, or the spirit of her deceased mother. Cinderella charms the prince but has to leave early, and the prince uses her dropped slipper to identify her–which is a truly bizarre way to find anyone.
I have a lot of problems with the original Cinderella–the incredibly passive main character, the absentee fairy godmother, the prince who apparently can’t recognize his “true love,” and the really weird slipper element. But often the strange bits of the story are exactly what new authors can use to spin off a brilliant retelling…
Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine tackles Cinderella’s passiveness head-on. Levine’s Ella is brave and determined, but cursed by an obedience spell. She has to find her own strength to overcome it, and the story is more about her quest to take control of her life than it is to win the prince–who is a childhood friend, not a stranger at a ball. There’s a movie version too, but don’t see it. It bears very little resemblance to Levine’s wonderful book.
Just Ella by Margaret Peterson Haddix plays with how hard it would be to go from scullery maid to princess. This is another smart and determined Ella, who made her own way to the ball, only to realize afterwards that the life of a princess is not what she expected–and that the prince isn’t either.
The Stepsister Scheme by Jim C. Hines is another one that looks at the story after the ball. This Cinderella (Danielle, actually) got her prince and he is charming–but then he’s abducted by her evil stepsister. Fortunately, a couple other fairy tale princesses are on hand to help get him back. This is a great twist on the usual themes of fairy tales, with some truly awesome princesses. I just read the sequel, so stay tuned for a review of both soon!
Princess of Glass by Jessica Day George tells the story from a very different point of view–a princess visiting the court, who notices how really creepy it is when everyone, especially the prince, are suddenly enamored of this mysterious woman in the glass slippers. Because really–why exactly is everyone so blown away?
Disney’s Cinderella is probably the version everyone knows best, and it’s pretty close to Perrault. It’s a cute fluff of a cartoon, although the mice are the best part. Cinderella and her prince are pretty bland, and I just can’t take them seriously when they start singing, “So This Is Love.” No, it’s attraction. I can’t believe you got all that far exploring the depths of human emotion in just one dance.
Silver Woven in My Hair by Shirley Rousseau Murphy is, with Ella Enchanted, my other favorite retelling. It somehow creates a very real, very practical world, tells about it with gossamer-beautiful writing, and even without magic is utterly enchanting. Thursey has dreams, but they’re real ones. Her friends are real people and she falls in love with a real man, not a shining prince out of a daydream.
There must be more Cinderellas out there–any recommendations?
Oh! … forgot to say … I loved Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters too …
I. too, love The Rough Face Girl … a great version of the Cinderella story. I’m making note of Silver Woven In My Hair … am intrigued.
This was a great post!
I love Ella Enchanted! I never saw the movie (and it sounds like I made the right choice!).
Yes! Wonderful book, travesty of a movie.
I read Ella Enchanted, and then, against your advice, watched the movie. I should have listened to you.
I warned you! But then, I watched the movie against everyone’s advice too. I was just curious. And it was as bad as everyone said.
Indeed! I was curious as well, though. Curiosity can sometimes be a bad thing.
I remembered a film that I did like, though: Ever After. A cool take on the story, Leonardo da Vinci is in it (as the fairy godmother? hah), and I really like the main character. What struck me about it was that there really was no magic in it at all and you get the sense that this really could have happened.
How could I forget to include Ever After! That’s a really lovely movie. It reminds me a little of Silver Woven in My Hair, in that there’s no magic but it still has that magical, enchanting feel. And I always do enjoy heroines who make their own way, instead of waiting for the magic to save them. Thanks for the reminder!
In “My Mother She Killed Me, My Father He Ate Me” edited by Kate Bernheimer there is a story called “The Color Master” by Aimee Bender. It works with Perrault’s other version of Cinderella: “Donkeyskin.” It takes place from the point of view of the workers making the dresses of moon, sun, and blue sky requested by the Cinderella character of this, more disturbing version. This tale really moves me, and is a thing I will turn to the next time someone I care about dies. If you haven’t heard of the original “Donkeyskin” I recommend watching “Sapsorrow” in Jim Henson’s The Storyteller series. It does a great job of capturing the story.
My other recommendations are older versions. Rough-Faced Girl is the Native American counterpart. There is evidence that the Egyptian version of Cinderella is based on the story of a real pharoah who married a slave girl. It is one of my absolute favorites. There is also a Chinese version, but I don’t care much for it. There are a variety of Russian tales similar to Cinderella, and all of them bring out different, more interesting, aspects. In one the good sister is ultimately sent out to die in the winter cold-only to marry the spirit of winter which makes her a fairy queen. In another she is sent to the witch Baba Yaga and must somehow survive that.
There are a lot of stories in the Cinderella-family, aren’t there? Similar, but varied in some ways…I’ve read Donkeyskin, and I think I’ve read the one with Baba Yaga too–Vasilisa the Fair? I’ve watched a lot of The Storyteller series, but I don’t think I’ve seen Sapsorrow. Must finish that series some time…it’s not even very long!
There’s one called “Just Ella” by Margaret Peterson Haddix that has an interesting twist to it. I haven’t read it in years though.
I enjoyed that one too…I also haven’t read it in years. Maybe a re-read one of these days!
The only one I’ve read and can think of is Ella Enchanted which I was little obsessed with as a teenager. Might be interesting to read it again as an adult see if I am still as enamored. Will make a note of Silver Woven in my Hair thank you for sharing again, love these posts 🙂
I find Ella Enchanted is still delightful, though you may read through it faster than you remember. I hope you read and enjoy Silver Woven in my Hair! I don’t think I know anyone else who’s read it, and it’s just lovely.