Bippity-boppity-boo? Hardly.
I love Disney. But, I’m not a Disney-maniac or a Disneyphile, nor am I someone who wears Disney clothing in public (anymore). And when it comes to Cinderella, although The Magic Kingdom is my favorite place on earth, I prefer the 1965 Rodgers and Hammerstein TV version to Disney. And I loved the movie Ever After with nary a sewing mouse or a pumpkin carriage.
So when I read a review of Godmother: The Secret Cinderella Story by Carolyn Turgeon I knew I wanted to give the book a whirl, even though it has been a long time since I’ve read fantasy and the first and last paranormal book I read was that one all the fuss is about. I wasn’t sure into which genre this book would fall, but I wanted to find out.
I read Chapter 1 on Thursday. I read Chapter 2 on Friday. And on Saturday and Sunday I read the rest. Unlike anything I’ve ever read, Godmother is a cross between a convoluted fairy tale and women’s fiction. The convoluted part is what makes it not too sickly sweet, although it is an endearing story. I loved Lil, the main character by the end of the first chapter. And, the fact that she’s a women way past 60 (or maybe 70) insured me that the author was a risk taker, veering slightly off the main path. I liked that.
It was easy to read, yet not written lightly. There are different levels of intensity within the characters and to me, that’s realistic. It’s also written smart. By that I mean the images are vivid but not contrived and the vocabulary is strong. The story is woven in a back and forth matter that was satisfying, not distracting. And the ending packs a wallop.
I never stop adoring or rooting for Lil the entire time.
I’m not a crazed writer-reader like so many engaging in the uproar over Dan Brown’s print run of 5 million. I read somewhere how someone wanted to use his books as toilet paper. I think life is too short to be so nasty. If you don’t like his books, don’t read them…last time I checked the book stores and libraries had full shelves. I don’t believe that Brown’s 5 million has anything to do anyone else but his publisher and him. Being so vocal and angry is, like a friend of mine said, is like complaining about an airline delay — it doesn’t change anything and just annoys the people around you. (ooh, that was a little off-topic rant, wasn’t it?)
That being said…I know the magic-like, fantastical threads running through Godmother are not right for everyone.
But it was a great choice for me, and I recommend it the next time you want something much more than magical for your reading weekend!
This is the second positive review I’ve seen for it. There’s my sign; I should get it.
Let me know what you think of it, Janna!
I’m with you — why complain about things that 1) don’t affect me, and 2) I have no control over?
Mel,
I am all for kvetching – but sometimes it just gets mean.
Stay safe down there – y’hear?
I hated Da Vinci code, but I didn’t go around blaring it from the rooftops. I think we’re all allowed to like what we like and not like what we don’t like.
However, I didn’t hate it because of the super secret evil Catholic sect side of it. I just found it boring. So I might try this book out. I haven’t read “Wicked”, because I’m not a huge Wizard of Oz fan, but I know the Cindarella story much more, so it would be fun to read the step-mom’s point of view.
My favorite book that looks at another story from a different point of view is probably, “The Wind Done Gone”, which is the story of “Gone With the Wind” from the point of view of Mammy’s daughter, who happens to be Scarlett’s half sister. Very well done.
It sounds like a fun one!