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Summary: Absolutely one of the best modern books that I've ever read
Review: I read this book in one night! It was absolutely mesmerizing. The story of Cinderella is one of the best-known in the world,yet somehow Maguire makes it a brand-new story. He has made every detail as beautiful as Clara and as deceptive as Ruth. For those who've read 'Wicked' this is proof that it was no fluke and for those who've never read Maguire before,well you're in for quite a treat. Read this book, but make sure that you can devote a whole day to it because you'll never wnat to put it down!
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Summary: Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister
Review: Maguire has actually written a more amusing book than Wicked (his first novel which is amazing as well). This story of Cinderella is eye opening and a great example of how every story has more than one side to it and the truth lies somewhere inbetween. I HIGHLY recommend this novel!
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Summary: Just Wonderful!
Review: I loved this even more than "Wicked". Please, everyone spread the news about Mr.Maguire to all of your friends, family, acquaintances- he is amazing!By the way, if you enjoyed "Confessions", you might also enjoy "Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast" by Robin McKinley.Although it's considered more of a young adult book,it explores similar themes and is definitely as thought provoking and beautifully written as "Confessions."
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Summary: Another gem by Maguire
Review: Although VERY different from _Wicked_, this book continues Maguires revision of familiar tales. _Confessions_ is a very realistic account, if a bit dry, of the Cinderella tale; I can actually imagine that these people might really have lived and had things happen this way. No magic, no pumpkins into carriages - just real life. He writes in such a way, however, that you can see how generations might have twisted the story around over time until we are left with the tale everyone knows.
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Summary: Phenomenal
Review: I read "Wicked" a few years ago and LOVED it. I checked out "Confessions" because I like Mr. Maguire's writing and how emotional his books are, whether he intends them to be or not. At first, I didn't like "Confessions" as well as his first adult novel. Don't get me wrong, it was good, but it was missing something...I almost put it down with about 75 pages to go and I am SO glad that I didn't. The ending was spectacular. It was mind blowing and I can't believe I never saw it coming. That right there proves how well Mr. Maguire can write. I cried for just about an hour afterwards. I cried over how much I was feeling after this book, and crying at how well an author can get you involved in his story. "Confessions" is the best book I have read all summer. I suggest that anyone who has read "Wicked" read this book. He certainly delivered another hit.
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Summary: Even better the second reading
Review: Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister, for me, at least, only improved the second time around. This beguiling retold tale of Cinderella puts all others I've read so far to shame, becoming much more than that which it can easily be marketed for. The first time I read it, I was perplexed at many of the twists and turns, as well as the ending itself, which even now remains a little too ambiguous for my tastes. Things cleared up considerably, however, when I read it again after waiting a time. I am in a state of amazement still at how many simple truths about people and life can be packed into a fictional work, and one in fact based on the simplest of all stories, a fairy tale. Characters are so well drawn so as to have been plucked from the land of the living to be laid on the pages of the novel, more than making up for the fact that the age-old plot bears many small, but few or no large, surprises. A happily-ever-after ending is, however, avoided with the addition of a dash of unresolved mystery, which if resolved, could have made the book clearer but perhaps less tantalizing. Further on, an epilogue in all but name succeeds in tying everything together with splendidly if with few bangs. All this, I only found a real appreciation for after I had had a second go at it.
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Summary: Fairy Tales For Grown-Ups
Review: "Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister" by Gregory Maguire is a wonderful breath of fresh air on an old story. I loved fairy tales as a child and now, as an adult, I have found a new outlet for that childhood passion. Cinderella is one of my all-time favorites and this book is certainly a fantastical look into that story. I found this book full the original charm but, with a new and wonderful twist. Now that I have found this wonderfully talented author I plan on reading more of his stuff. He's found a new way to tackle an old story. He's very creative and full of wonderful ideas. Can't wait for more.
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Summary: It's all about perspective...
Review: As children we are taught that there are two sides to every story. Following in like vein of his triumphal "Wicked", Gregory Maguire reveals for us the other side the Cinderella story. Turning the antagonists of the traditional fairy tale into fully fleshed-out characters with whom we can connect and empathize, Maguire explores themes like morality, beauty, charity, and evil. His lush descriptions and richness of detail are reminiscent of "Wicked". But in comparison, "Confessions" is less phantasmagoric and feels as if it has historical underpinnings. Maguire has an uncanny way of twisting and winding his tale to arrive a the same ending with which we are most familiar. A great read!
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Summary: The Magic Continues.....
Review: When I first read "Wicked", the first adult novel written by Gregory Maguire, I was spellbound. I went out and recommended it to all my friends. So one can imagine my thrill when I went on-line and discovered that the author of my favorite book had written a second. This book was, of course, "Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister". I didn't sit down intending to simply read it, I engulfed it, and I was very pleased to find that what Maguire did in "Wicked" was not a one-time only occurance. Needless to say, it's a very enjoyable book. It takes a classic story that everyone knows, and tells the side of the story that people don't know, the side of the so-called 'villan'. Like "Wicked", you get wrapped up in the story and the characters. Unlike "Wicked", it's a light read, no politics, no tremendous notions, just deep thought on basic human concepts. And, despite the familiarity of the story Cinderella, there is little predictability in the novel; every page is a new discovery and a new surprise. All in all, and excellent book with something for everyone, and as such, a great read.
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Summary: No Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo
Review: Like many, I read Maguire's _Wicked_ with skepticism, and would up engrossed. Fairy tales are often one sided and myopic, allowing for no shades of grey in the multicolored world that is portrayed. The villains of fairy tales are usually the worst kind of evil: pitiless, soulless, and irrational. Approaching the stories from the antagonist's perspective, alternate realities - much closer to real life - become plausible. Hence _Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister_, an alterna-Cinderella. In the original story - as interpreted by Disney at least - only the stepmother is a developed character; the stepsisters are merely caricatures, devoid of personality. Maguire capitalizes on this void and begins to fill it. The stepsisters become more than a mere extension of their mother, but are instead individuals with goals, love, and neurosis. They are not power hungry, but instead overly complacent with their place in the world. Their mother, overzealous and crazed, is not evil without reason. Like _Wicked_, the story is turned on its head. However, this story is grounded in reality, while _Wicked_ retained some of the magic that L. F. Baum had originally written into Oz. I felt that the pace was too slow, although the story took place over months instead of the decades of _Wicked_. Perhaps it felt slow because I did not commiserate with the characters as much and thus did not care if they succeeded or failed. In truth, I enjoyed the movie "Ever After" - another take on the Cinderella story - more than I enjoyed _Confessions_. I really felt for Cinderella's plight in the movie, while I was indifferent to Maguire's Cinder girl. Nonetheless, I enjoyed this book, and would recommend it. A fresh perspective to a familiar story always leads to something interesting. What's next? A kinder, gentler Big Bad Wolf?
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