Is this new land a place where magics really happen?

From Gregory Maguire, the acclaimed author of Wicked, comes his much-anticipated second novel, a brilliant and provocative retelling of the timeless Cinderella tale.

In the lives of children, pumpkins can turn into coaches, mice and rats into human beings.... When we grow up, we learn that it's far more common for human beings to turn into rats....

We all have heard the story of Cinderella, the beautiful child cast out to slave among the ashes. But what of her stepsisters, the homely pair exiled into ignominy by the fame of their lovely sibling? What fate befell those untouched by beauty . . . and what curses accompanied Cinderella's exquisite looks?

Extreme beauty is an affliction

Set against the rich backdrop of seventeenth-century Holland, Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister tells the story of Iris, an unlikely heroine who finds herself swept from the lowly streets of Haarlem to a strange world of wealth, artifice, and ambition. Iris's path quickly becomes intertwined with that of Clara, the mysterious and unnaturally beautiful girl destined to become her sister.

Clara was the prettiest child, but was her life the prettiest tale?

While Clara retreats to the cinders of the family hearth, burning all memories of her past, Iris seeks out the shadowy secrets of her new household--and the treacherous truth of her former life.

God and Satan snarling at each other like dogs.... Imps and fairy godmotbers trying to undo each other's work. How we try to pin the world between opposite extremes!

Far more than a mere fairy-tale, Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister is a novel of beauty and betrayal, illusion and understanding, reminding us that deception can be unearthed--and love unveiled--in the most unexpected of places.

Mailed to icekween01 today. Enjoy!

WOOHOO!! a RABCK from my wish list...AWESOME! I loved Wicked so can't wait to read this one. I will definitely journal my thoughts when I finish.

Thanks Mandi!

Peace and Happy Bookcrossing!!!

a very interesting way to spin this classic tale although I felt that the author flubbed up the ending. almost as if he were in too much of a rush to finish to give the same time and thought he put into the rest. I don't know, maybe that's just me? all in all an entertaining story, I'm glad I had the opportunity to read.

Thanks, Mandi!

RELEASE NOTES:

sent to sudokugirl who won my "pick my next book" rabck drawing.

Enjoy!!

Happy Bookcrossing!!

It's here! :) I've been looking forward to reading this for quite a while. Thanks a lot for sending it my way, icekween01.

This was a very enjoyable read, just the thing for cold winter days :) I agree with icekween though, the ending does seem a bit rushed compared to the rest of the story. Reserving this for my sister and will let it travel on after that. Thanks for sharing :)

RELEASE NOTES:

Sent to KiwiinEngland as part of a trade.

Thank you very much for the book - it looks an interesting read! Arrived safely and well in England.

This is the first of this type of book I have read, and I did enjoy it. It was really interesting to look at the story in a different light, and at times I was dredging up childhood memories of the original to add even more interest to the story.

I'm not sure if the ending was rushed, the back ground to how the family took on their various roles (Cindergirl, wicked stepmother, ugly stepsisters etc) was developed to the point where the ball and the glasss slipper fitted in realistically. And then the story stopped...as did the original cinderella story.

I recommend this book.

This is going as a RABCK to Sherlockfan.

This book arrived last week but thanks to the busyness of shifting house I've not had time to journal it. Alas I'm not having the usual amount of time for reading that my leisurely life generally allows so it is happening in small snatches. Nevertheless it is a curiously interesting tale and I'm enjoying very much. Thanks KiwiinEngland for sending it.

Must say that England is much in our thoughts at present with the fresh wave of terrorism. We were in England when the last episodes occured and know just how unsettling it can be. We are planning to be back there in August but our plans might change as my husband is not very well.

Very unusual with odd twists on an old tale. Enjoyed it immensely.
Sending it on today to EdwardsStreet whose tastes in reading I'm not 100% sure about but who might find it interesting.

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Not sure what you'll think of this ES but I am sure you'll be able to pas it on if you don't find it to your taste.

Thanks Sherlockfan for including such an interesting book in my parcel.

Safe journey

It was me. I couldn't resist such a book and to leave it in the hostel....well I tried but had to grab it. Hope to read soon.....

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Across the country again to a new home. I discovered I had a copy of this