Sunday, April 10, 2011

Chapter 7: "Ella Enchanted" Gail Carson Levine

I'm going to start with the author. Gail Carson Levine writes what I call "new fairy tales". She updates some of the most well know stories with characters I, as a teenage girl in years past, fell in love with. Ella is just one of those characters. Along with Ella Enchanted, I also own 'Ever' a more mythological story, 'Fairest' a take on Snow White, and 'The Two Princesses of Bamarre'. I love that one almost as much as Ella Enchanted.

Ella Enchanted follows the story of Ella, who as a child was 'blessed' with the gift of obedience. The fairy Lucinda, who gives these gifts like they're the rarest of flowers, does not understand the repercussions of total obedience. As Ella grows, any command given to her she must obey, even if it makes her sick (Eat every bit of that cake!) or is devious (When we race I want you to lose.). Ella is a slave to the obedience. She tries to disobey, but it causes her to be physically sick until she does what the spell wants. 

Things get a little complicated when she meets Prince Char, who takes a liking to her. What happens if someone tries to make her assassinate him? She immediately tries to keep herself as far away as possible. When her father marries a new woman and she gets 2 stepsisters, her whole life is turned upside down. 

Ella Enchanted is my favorite take on the Cinderella story (I've ready many!) and it's twist of a spell on Ella makes it a memorable one. Like I said last post, Disney tried to make some money off the story and ruined the whole movie with singing and campy looking monsters. They made Ella an activist instead of a normal girl trying to be happy and keep everyone around her safe. I love Anne Hathaway.. but jeez. That movie sucked. 

All in all, Ella Enchanted is a short book, and it is for young adults, but I'm still a teenager at heart. It's one of my lasting favorites.
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20 comments:

  1. edApril 10, 2011 at 2:48 PM

    obedience sounds more like a curse than gift

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  2. King ElysiumApril 10, 2011 at 3:00 PM

    I havent read this book yet, but i dont think it fits what i like

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  3. Brandon SampleApril 10, 2011 at 3:03 PM

    i think we watched the movie in class, I don't know what happened, i didn't pay attention, I think id like this better.

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  4. Astronomy PirateApril 10, 2011 at 3:05 PM

    Sounds like an interesting read. Updated fairy tales have a way of showing how society has changed since the originals inception. Following orders obediently would suck, well, unless you were in the military.

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  5. Astronomy PirateApril 10, 2011 at 3:06 PM

    With that thought, Ella Enchanted should have joined the Marines, hahaha.

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  6. GraftedApril 10, 2011 at 4:16 PM

    Hey, I've read The Two Princesses of Bamarre. Never even realized it was the same author. I guess I will give Ella Enchanted a shot sometime

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  7. JayApril 10, 2011 at 6:09 PM

    i'll look for this book.

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  8. pezasiedApril 10, 2011 at 6:14 PM

    I havent read this book, ive been hearing a lot about it lately though

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  9. UnknownApril 10, 2011 at 6:29 PM

    I think its a bit to "young adult targeted" for me.

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  10. HiFiApril 10, 2011 at 8:44 PM

    Fantastic article. I love book reviews. This story sounds very interesting. It's certainly bound to inspire many creative thoughts through its readers, and that is always what pushes people to learn more and become greater.

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  11. MoobeatApril 11, 2011 at 12:11 AM

    i read this when i was 12

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  12. Patti D.April 11, 2011 at 5:09 AM

    sounds awesome, will try and read it, thanks for the recommendation!

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  13. AlphabetaApril 11, 2011 at 6:22 AM

    My sister might like this.

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  14. Green_MagixApril 11, 2011 at 12:06 PM

    I think someone might call the cops if they saw my bearded self reading this in public

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  15. MalkavianApril 11, 2011 at 4:33 PM

    Interesting take on the story but my perverse mind would very much like that Curse laid upon my Girlfriend wink

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  16. chupyApril 11, 2011 at 7:36 PM

    i will have to read this book, looks good

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  17. Electric AddictApril 11, 2011 at 9:43 PM

    ill check it out

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  18. jopjopjopApril 12, 2011 at 4:29 PM

    thanks for the review but i have to agree with mac-and-me.

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  19. MattApril 12, 2011 at 10:17 PM

    Sounds like a good read - I like the classics with a twist!

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  20. CloventtApril 13, 2011 at 3:20 AM

    Might read it if it's not too girly...

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