Modern Versions of the Cinderella Story

Adaptations Written by Noted Authors

Feb 16, 2009

Several authors of the last sixty years, including several prize winners, have written their own versions of Cinderella.

Cinderella may be the most popular of fairy tale stories with over 700 known versions, including the works of several American and British authors. Some of these writers have kept the basic story line, but added new depth or characters, while others have changed the roles of who's good and who's evil. However, one characteristic of most of these newer works is the creation of heroines who are much stronger women than those in the past.

Here are five of the more recent Cinderella adaptations. Although the majority are geared for younger readers, all can be enjoyed by older readers who still like good fantasies.

A prankster fairy named Lucinda places a curse upon Ella whereby the young girl must “obey” any command given to her. This does not set well with Ella who grows more feisty, strong-willed and independent by the day. After her widowed father marries the traditional loathsome woman with two nasty daughters, Ella sets out to find Lucinda and force her to remove the curse. During her trek, she becomes involved with ogres, elves and a handsome prince. And, of course, a pumpkin coach and glass slippers are also added into the mix.

Delightful and sometimes profound, Ella Enchanted was a 1998 Newbery Honor Book.

When she is abandoned by her step-family and it appears that she will not be her kingdom‘s Cinderella (her prince turned out to be ten years younger than her), Elena sets out to become a servant. Instead, she becomes an apprentice Fairy Godmother complete with magical powers. After becoming the official Godmother for her area, she runs into a multitude of problems that forces her, in one case, to turn an ornery prince into a donkey.

Luna Press is an imprint of Harlequin books, so expect some heartthrob scenes in the book.

Just Ella is a tongue-in-cheek novel that starts where the traditional story ends. Ella Brown is eager to become Mrs. Prince Charming, but after a while she realizes that castle life is rather boring and her husband-to-be is actually a dullard. Furthermore, the servants are concocting ridiculous stories of fairy godmothers and magic coaches. After breaking off the marriage plans, she is thrown in the dungeon to be held there until the wedding day. Luckily, Ella is not a girl who needs magic or a man to save her.

Author Haddix, who has won several literary awards, does a nice job of blending fairy tale, feminism, and an assortment of colorful characters into one story.

Originally written in 1944 by Farjeon (and her brother) as a musical children’s play, she novelized the story in 1955. It’s plot is a familiar retelling of the Cinderella tale enhanced by warmth, humor, in-depth characterization, and a poetic writing style. Although relatively unknown today, Ms Farjeon was the recipient of many children’s writing awards in the 1950s and has an annual award named after her in Great Britain.

A talented music composer as well, she wrote the children’s hymn, Morning Has Broken, that became a popular hit in the 1970s.

Confessions takes place in 17th-century Holland, where Margarethe Fisher and her two daughters, plain looking Iris and mentally retarded Ruth, have fled from England. Eventually, the woman marries a widower, Van den Meer, who has a daughter, Clara, the “Cinderling” of the story.

Unlike most Cinderella tales, the Fisher women -- stepmother and stepsisters to Clara -- are more human than evil. Iris, in particular, is actually a sympathetic character and, in many respects, the book‘s heroine. In Gregory Maguire’s topsy-turvy retelling, there are villains who become heroes and heroes that disappoint.

The copyright of the article Modern Versions of the Cinderella Story in Fairytales is owned by John K. Davis. Permission to republish Modern Versions of the Cinderella Story in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.