Review: Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

At birth, Ella is inadvertently cursed by an imprudent young fairy named Lucinda, who bestows on her the "gift" of obedience. Anything anyone tells her to do, Ella must obey. Another girl might have been cowed by this affliction, but not feisty Ella: "Instead of making me docile, Lucinda's curse made a rebel of me. Or perhaps I was that way naturally." When her beloved mother dies, leaving her in the care of a mostly absent and avaricious father, and later, a loathsome stepmother and two treacherous stepsisters, Ella's life and well-being seem to be in grave peril. But her intelligence and saucy nature keep her in good stead as she sets out on a quest for freedom and self-discovery as she tries to track down Lucinda to undo the curse, fending off ogres, befriending elves, and falling in love with a prince along the way. Yes, there is a pumpkin coach, a glass slipper, and a happily ever after, but this is the most remarkable, delightful, and profound version of Cinderella you'll ever read.

Gail Carson Levine's examination of traditional female roles in fairy tales takes some satisfying twists and deviations from the original. Ella is bound by obedience against her will, and takes matters in her own hands with ambition and verve. Her relationship with the prince is balanced and based on humor and mutual respect; in fact, it is she who ultimately rescues him. Ella Enchanted has won many well-deserved awards, including a Newbery Honor.

Ella Enchanted is a charming retelling of Cinderella. It greatly expands on everything in the original fairy tale  The absent father is even present like in some of the earlier versions. The world feels complete. It is intricate because Levine included little innocuous details. I loved that she made up different languages for everyone. The only issue was that the fairy’s magic didn't seem to have any real guidelines. The only thing that was for certain was that when Ella needs it most it is never available.

I love Ella. She is spunky and quick-witted. It is entertaining to see her find ways to defy the curse while still bound to it. They way her and Char feel in love through letters is adorable. Many of the characters feel a little flat but it works for this book. The plot is also interesting. It has many unpredictable twists and turns. The only issue with it is the ending feels rushed. It should have been starched out for a couple more pages in order to feel complete.

I give this book an A-

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