Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine is one of my
top favorite books of all time. I
originally read it in fifth grade, and still have the same copy (with my
handwriting in orange gel pen in the front cover from that time). This installment in my book rant series will
be not consist of the movie “based on Ella Enchanted”, which I may decide to
cover in the future. It doesn’t really
fit in this sort of rant.
My two
favorite genres are historical fiction and fantasy. I took fantasy literature in high school and,
although it wasn’t particularly challenging, still loved it. Most fantasy stories I own are meant for
children, and can be read by adults, obviously, but I plan on challenging
myself in discovering higher reading level-geared material soon. Ella
Enchanted is certainly a children’s book, but I think the comfort of a
beloved story and set of characters is nothing to be ashamed of. I think Ms. Levine would agree.
The book is
written in first person, which I have not personally exercised in my collection
of in-progress works so far. This method
is perfect in this story because it helps the reader understand the protagonist
on the deepest level. Ella’s character
is probably the best I have seen in Gail Carson Levine’s works as a
protagonist. Her personality is
well-developed as a courageous, intelligent, and loving person. Being based on the well-known character of
fairy-tales, Cinderella, how did Ms. Levine make the rather weak-willed person
into a heroine who is more easily relatable?
The spin of a fairy birth blessing actually being an unintended curse is
such a clever idea. Being obedient to an
odious stepmother and stepsisters just wouldn’t fly in the ideal of modern
heroines, so Ella is tweaked to become an even more admirable Cinderella
character. I mean, well-behaved women rarely
make history, right?
The
supporting characters behind Ella are her mother, fairy-godmother (who actually
wasn’t responsible for her “fairy gift”), her best friend Areida, and the
steadfast and kind-hearted Prince Char.
The antagonists include her step-family, a couple of ogres, and
basically anyone who could use Ella’s obedience against her and those she
loves. In my opinion, those on the
border are Ella’s greedy father and the fairy who gave her the curse. They are not “bad” characters, out to hurt
others on purpose, but are products of their selfish lives. This spectrum of character personalities is a
good presentation of natural human faults and foibles. Not everyone can naturally be a good as
Prince Char, or as clever as Ella, but it can be a good thing to aspire to.
Ella Enchanted is, in short, a perfect original
retelling of the original story. It
contains a lovely, inventive heroine and supporting cast of characters, with a
fully orchestrated plot that while remains consistent to the classic tale of
Cinderella, truly is its own unique and memorable tale.
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