Cinderella

by with text by C S Evans: Arthur Rackham

hardcover with dust jacket

Genres: Classics, Fairy Tales, Fiction, Childrens, Fantasy, Juvenile, Childrens Classics

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1919

Reviews

[Kerri · Rating 5 out of 5]

A birthday present when I was eight, this has remained a favourite ever since. I believe it was my introduction to Arthur Rackham. 💖

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought it was time for a slight change and so here we are. I will admit that the Everyman's Children's literary library has been a draw for me for some time every since I was given one of their titles years ago.

The thing about the series is that not only do they print beautiful books they also reproduce some of the most amazing artwork and present it in one of the seminal editions.

So when I had the chance to get a copy of Cinderella I thought why not. Now I will not give away the story even though I think most people on the planet know the rags to riches story. What caught my eye was that there were several changes which rather surprised me.

The first was how they referred to Cinderella - Apart from be surprised at how derogatory the step sisters are towards her the tone and language they used was rather surprising. The second was that in this version the sister to not maim themselves trying to fit the slipper (although after their actions I was rather hoping they did)

So yes like many of these stories where you "think" you know what is going on there is still room to surprise and confound you. This was one such book but you have to admit it was an engaging read and fun all the same.

[Ana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I may find this story problematic, but it still was a big part of my childhood.

[ella ☆ any pronouns · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

This doesn't deserve 2.5 stars, in my eyes. I only gave it that rating, bumped up a star from my original 1.5 star rating, solely because I enjoyed the illustrations, that's all. (While we're on the topic of the illustrations, I liked how they were, for the most part, just all-black silhouettes with minimal people, objects, or things going on, very minimal, minus the two or three full spread illustrations with a little color, which I liked for an added pop.)

I usually never go over plots in my reviews regardless, but I don't need to for this read, anyway. The plot is simple: a retelling of the rags to riches story of Ella, better known as Cinderella.

Enough of the illustrations, onto the actual book: There wasn't too much of it that I disliked, however, what I disliked was big things prominent throughout the whole book, the two main things being the writing and the characters.

As for the writing, it was VERY repetitive to the point where it was annoying to me. The main one they used a lot throughout was starting sentences with "For..." below is an example, as used in the story, of what I am talking about:

For one afternoon a courier from the palace came riding to the house and delivered the invitation in a large envelope, sealed with the royal seal

Regarding the characters, I don't think there was a character that I liked. There were also a couple characters were knew virtually nothing about that I would like to learn more about.

Euphoria & Charlotte: As expected for being the stepsisters, they were just snobby and stuck-up, doing everything possible to mess with and ruin Ella's life.
Mom: We don't know anything about mom beside she was kind and Ella's everything as within the first two chapters, she had already died.
Ella: I know the whole idea is that her life turned horrible due to the arrival of the stepsisters in her house, but there was just something about how she acted after the stepsister's arrival that annoyed me. I can't pinpoint something exactly, but there was something there.
Prince: He was charming, as expected. I take back saying there I don't think there was a character that I liked because I did like the Prince. That's it, though.
Dad: We know nothing about Ella's dad, literally nothing. He locks himself in his library all day and reads and writes. Even just some background information would have been nice, but we didn't even get that much.
Stepmom & Fairy Godmother: They both cared for Ella in a way that the other characters did not do, but we don't know that much about either. I didn't dislike these characters as much as the others, but, and I don't know why, I just STILL wasn't a big fan of them, anyway.


Bottom line is that I did not like this retelling of the classic fairytale of Cinderella to much of an extent. I didn't hate it, but I did NOT enjoy it by any means whatsoever.

[Filipa · Rating 4 out of 5]

O clássico da minha princesa favorita da Disney.
Falta-me ler a Cinderella de Charles Perrault que se a memória não me falha ainda não li, mas continuo a ler a Cinderella pelas mãos de diferentes autores e, neste, já a Cinderella não tem a ajuda dos nossos ratinhos favoritos da Disney.
Adorei ler revisitando uma história que me é muito querida.

[Reixma · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story that emphasises beauty lies within and that a good nature will win over everything else, no matter what.

This story is written using an older version of English, so there are a few things that don't mean what we think today.
The use of the word 'slut' is an old word to mean someone who is untidy or unclean, also the term given to a scullery maid.
The word 'toilet' refers to a washing station (toilet table for example, which usually has a jug of warm water and a bowl for washing) and toilet water (we see today as eau du toilet) is perfumed water that is used to make someone smell nice, formerly to hide unpleasant smells and odours.


Shows the Step-Mother to be abusive to Cinderella's father who is too scared to help his daughter.
Also, a week to be married to the prince just because he thought you looked pretty?!

[Ashlyn Paisley · Rating 4 out of 5]

i absolutely loved this book. there were, however, problematic aspects that deserve to be held in open conversation whenever this book is read.

in particular, i noticed offensive phrasing and drawings of a minor character who was meant to be Black or dark skinned. i think this could be a great opportunity to address how prevalent racism was in the 1910s and 20s, and how good things like beautiful fairy tales can also come with bad things.

for a more in-depth conversation, i think discussing who these fairy tales were marketed to, and the effects that disrespectful art can have on those who are marginalized or misrepresented.

just some quick thoughts, but i work with kids so i'm thinking about how to present these stories to them.

[Miranda Calvelo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Never expected to read the word “Cinderslut” so many times.

[Mary Havens · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was the typical Cinderella story. The children did not care for it (thought my daughter would dig it but no) and I had to repeatedly edit her name because, in this version, her stepsisters call her Cinderslut. Yeah...I thought it was weird too. Liked the illustrations though.

[Juliet Valcourt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This version contained some differences that kept the fairytale fresh. For such a short story, there’s a lot to examine in regards to absent parenting, marriage, and jealousy. The idea that Ella could forgive her stepsisters is far-fetched, but I suppose no more outlandish than magic and a fairy godmother. Ella’s inner and outer beauty is contrasted with the ugliness of her stepsisters and stepmother, which again is unbelievable, but it was a common fairytale trope to establish the heroes and villains. It’s better to overlook these things and just enjoy the story for what it is. The shadow silhouettes lent some comedy to an otherwise dark tale.

[Hope · Rating 2 out of 5]

Because C.S. Evan's version of Sleeping Beauty is one of my all-time favorite fairy tales, I've been searching for an online version of Cinderella for a couple of years, but it's very hard to find.

I eventually found someone reading it on YouTube, and I did not love it as unequivocally as Sleeping Beauty. It was not nearly as charming or well-written.

Lots of older books use words that no longer have the same meaning and careful readers seek to understand these words in their context. But the use of the word "slut" to describe Cinderella made this a very hard book to listen to. (Its archaic meaning is "a dirty, slovenly person.")

I'll stick to Sleeping Beauty!

[Jessie Drew · Rating 4 out of 5]

I borrowed this edition from the library because it’s illustrated by Arthur Rackham. Wound up enjoying it for the translation of the story itself. Thank goodness for the gravitas of her fairy godmother! Cinderella’s sad plight was particularly cruel so the balance with the gifts given to her from her fairy godmother was particularly important- and didn’t disappoint!

[Renata · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting long version of the famous tale.

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the expanded text and unique illustrations.

[Mary Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit problematic and dated - still enjoyable read with the kids though as long as we spoke about it afterwords.

[Ryan Terry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read with my 4 year old daughter. She loved it, but I had to censor the surprisingly frequent use of the word “slut”

[Chrisanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the simple illustrations. So sad it's not in my library any more.

[Jaimie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Evans' retelling of the classic Cinderella story leaves much to be desired due to its simplification, but what earns this book a high rating are the enchanting illustrations by Arthur Rackham. Thusfar, most of the books I own of his consist of stories illustrated in full line art (often with colour), but the simple stylings of his silouettes that complement the story of Cinderella are equally as wonderful. For simple black and white blocks, Rackham's deft and creative use of line imbues his characters with an unexpected vibrancy and personality. You can absolutely see the fun-loving attitudes of the courtiers hitching up their skirts to dance at the ball and the equally expressive disdain from Ella's stepmother and stepsisters - both feats which seem impossible when the faces of the characters are blacked out, but which Rackham seems to accomplish with ease. For all that this book seems like a simplistic representation of the story of Cinderella, Rackham's illustrations give it a sumptuous and unique feeling that I have yet to see paralleled by any contemporary illustrator.

[Tanya Diehl]

A traditionally told story, it closely follows the story you think of when you think of Cinderella. This edition is a very nicely written book. It didn't offer any surprises. The mother still died, the sttep-mother and sisters moved in and reduced her to being a scullery maid. Her fairy godmother provided the means for Cinderella to attend the ball and meet the prince. The glass slipper fit and they lived happily ever after. Entertaining, but unoriginal. Appropriate for the younger range, probably starting at 7 years old if an advanced reader. Older readers would be wishing for a little more substance.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good version of this story with added background for Cinderella. Since this version was older I expected it to be more like the Grimm's version but it is even sweeter than the others I have read with Cinderella forgiving and trying to help her step sisters the whole time. The plate pictures by Rackham and the cover picture improve the story.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Glad I decided to give into nostalgia and check this one out. C.S Evans' retelling, while still sticking closely to the original, still managed to make the story interesting and entertaining despite my familiarity with the tale (Disney's version, admittedly). Arthur Rackham's illustrations were really nice, too. I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would.

[Krisette Spangler · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short novel-length version of the classic story of Cinderella. There aren't many surprises here, as most of us know the general story of the little cinder girl. I mostly enjoyed the charming illustrations by Arthur Rackham, and I'm a sucker for a happy ending.

[Boston · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book for girls because of the fairy god mother, how pretty the dresses are and all the other things girls like.

[Khairun · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book when I was 13, in my school's library. I love fairy tales and this classic version of Cinderella is totally inspire me to look more classical fairy tales book

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

:)

[Brittany Caver · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the same story just retold with different names. I have not ever been that fond of the story of Cinderella.

[Yusra · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5