In Red As Blood or Tales from the Sisters Grimmer, British fantasy writer Tanith Lee created a short Cinderella tale that is the opposite of the traditional story. In it, Ashella is the daughter of a witch and her stepmother and stepsisters are loving creatures. Lee’s fellow Brit, Roald Dahl, in his Revolting Rhymes wrote a humorous but macabre and dark poem about a Cinderella who decides that her Prince Charming is not so charming after all.
These are just two examples of short pieces that are unusual Cinderella adaptations. In addition, there are several novels by contemporary writers that have different takes on the original work. Although written for younger readers, some of these newer versions can be enjoyed by all who like fairy tale stories. Among them are these four.
Before Midnight: A Retelling of “Cinderella” by Cameron Dokey
- Simon Pulse, 2007
- Ages 11 to 16
When Etienne de Brabant’s wife dies in childbirth, he blames his newborn daughter and deserts her for sixteen years. The daughter, La Cendrillon, along with a mysterious boy named Raoul, are raised by a loving housekeeper. When de Brabant remarries and sends his new wife and her two daughters to his old estate, La Cendrillon and Raoul find their lives changing.
Before Midnight is a well developed moving story with multi-dimensional characters. The new stepmother and her daughters are basically good people, and the stepmother’s decision regarding a great ball results in La Cendrillon and Raoul reaching their destinies.
Cinderellis and the Glass Hill by Gail Carson Levine
- Harper Collins, 2000
- Ages 5 to 9
Ms Levine, whose Newbery winning Ella Enchanted continues to delight readers, returned to the Cinderella theme with an unusual variation wherein the central figure is a boy. Cinderellis has no fairy godmother, but he does have two unfriendly older brothers. Fortunately, he does have magical powders, and he plans to use them to win the hand of Marigold. Unfortunately, Marigold has less use for him than his brothers!
Besides the Cinderella aspect of the story, the author also mixes in elements of a Norwegian fairy tale -- The Glass Hill.
Cindy Ella by Robin Palmer
- Puffin, 2008
- Ages 12 and up
Robin Palmer moves the Cinderella story to modern day Los Angeles where prom fever is sweeping Castle Heights High. Leading the way are Cindy Ella Gold’s two older twin stepsisters and Botoxed, shop-to-you-drop, stepmother. Sophomore Cindy, aware of her school’s social distinctions, is less impressed and writes an anti-prom letter in the school newspaper. The result only confirms her reputation in the school as the Queen of the Freaks even though she surprisingly has the support of Adam Silver, the school’s most popular senior.
Ms Palmer’s first book is a fine mixture of growing pains, family relationships, tongue in cheek humor, and a satirical look at LA’s affluent class.
Bound by Donna Jo Napoli
- Simon Pulse, 2006
- Ages 10 to 16
Bound is a sometimes violent, always haunting, tale based upon Chinese versions of Cinderella. Set during the Ming dynasty, Xing Xing finds herself at the mercy of her stepmother following the death of her father. Feeling that she is nothing more than a slave, the young girl turns to her only “friend,” a white carp that lives in a nearby pond and which, Xing Xing believes, contains the spirit of her dead mother. The death of the at the hands of the stepmother sets off a change of events that finally results in the young girl’s freedom.
The title has several meanings. Xing Xing, and her stepsister, Wei Ping, are bound to the stepmother, their geographical region, and to Chinese tradition. It also refers to the botched foot binding that makes Wei Ping a pitiable creature.
Related Article: Modern Versions of the Cinderella Story
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