Cheryl’s Comments (group member since Dec 04, 2022)

Cheryl’s comments from the Once Upon a Time... group.

Me too.

Thanks!

Wow, thank you. The Princess Companion and Appease both look good to me!

Have we done anything with The Princess and the Pea story? I have no idea if there are any adaptations that aren't picture-books, but if there are I'd sure like to take a look.

You make it sound tempting, but I'm ready for June!

I only read this a few years ago and didn't like it. The racism is awful and not excusable because it's old. Violent, too.

Right. I think it's such an awful tale in some ways, and such a wonderful one in others, and so that's why there are so very many very different versions, fractures, etc.

Anyway, I'm not going to be reading the companion novel, friends, but I might pop in to read the group comments.

Mentioned in the bibliography are:

The Irish Cinderlad
Cendrillon: A Caribbean Cinderella
The Orphan: A Cinderella Story from Greece

And thanks is given to Maria Tatar.

Cheryl wrote: "... I'm about to read Cinderella Stories Around the World...."

Pretty good collection, actually, though these tales also rely on magic and insta-love. One story reminded me of The Rough-Face Girl, a classic from when I was in teacher-training. The Chinese tale here is delightfully illustrated. The one about the Greek slave girl and the Egyptian pharaoh seems particularly less valuable to today's readers.

And then there are the fractured retellings, and the versions from around the world. Cinder Edna is pretty good. I'm about to read Cinderella Stories Around the World.

The basic simple original is ridiculous, though, imo. I don't understand the appeal, never have, just up & marry a prince after meeting him at a ball? I mean, it's probably better than being a scullery maid, but not necessarily....

Truth!

Yes. Of course, empowering princess stories for girls are almost a cliche by now, but that's a good thing, one could argue.

Thank you for this! There are definitely some I'm excited to read!

Oops. I read it years ago, and then last month. Not overly impressed compared to other children's tales of rebellious princesses and friendly dragons. Still gave it four stars.

I did like the humor, the relatively mild adventure & easy intrigue, the world-building, and the creative characters.

"Well, if you can't find any hens' teeth, you could try substituting snake fingernails or the hair from a turtle's egg."

Gem, I hope your stressors have calmed down.

I've made it past another birthday, doing quite well actually. Wound up buying our house from our landlord because she wanted out. Can now have a pet, so we got a baby spotted python; Sybil is such a little sweetheart. Walking every day every daylight hour and thereby getting at least 10K steps, mostly in the fresh air.

I just read Dealing With Dragons but I don't see a thread for it?

Welcome, Fiona!

The only good thing about getting older is the alternative, as they say. Sometimes I'm not even too sure about that.

p. 69. It's possible this might be the Gaiman that finally clicks for me... but if it gets more gruesome I will have to give up.
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Ok I did give up, for a variety of reasons, elaborated in my review.

I'll give it a go. I have the library copy in hand, but other priorities atm.

The kids' viewpoints, and the fact that they were just born into this, are indeed interesting.