Book Review: Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

Goodreads Summary: 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.

My Review: This book was absolutely perfect. Everything about Ella defied the typical stereotype that princesses need to be swept off their feet by Prince Charming. Her wit was displayed beautifully throughout the book, and I've read and re-read this book countless times, always sad whenever it comes to its timely end.

“It is helpful to know the proper way to behave, so one can decide whether or not to be proper.”
― Gail Carson Levine, Ella Enchanted

I loved Char and I loved Mandy. I don't know what else to say about it other than it was perfect. A perfect story about a princess, about a girl forced to obey commands because she was cursed as a child, and when the time arose for her to stand up for herself, she did. And I read on, faster and faster with tears in my eyes.

Even though it may be tempting, do NOT see the movie. I love Anne Hathaway and I love Ella Enchanted, but the movie did not do it justice. At all. It was completely different (and why movies feel the need to change books, I'll never know) and it destroyed my perception of the book. So, please, do yourself a favor an do NOT watch the movie. Read the book instead. :)

5/5