I’ve realised I have a thing for villains. And that’s what drew me to this book. Stepsister is a Cinderella retelling with a feminist twist. It’s a take on what happens after Cinderella’s happily ever after, but from the point of view of her stepsister Isabelle. I liked the dark fairy tale vibes this book evokes. Just like the Grimms’ version, the story opens with the stepsisters, Isabelle and Octavia, mutilating their feet to fit into the glass slipper. It’s a stark reminder of the saying “Beauty is pain”. The plan to deceive the prince doesn’t work and Isabelle, Octavia and their mother end up as social pariahs in their French village.
I warmed to both Isabelle and Octavia. Isabelle is brave, free-spirited and adventurous, whilst Octavia likes conducting experiments and solving equations. Unfortunately, the society in which they live in does not appreciate these qualities. They are expected to be demure, ladylike and above all beautiful. It’s something which still rings true today, as women in particular are judged only on their looks.
Isabelle gains considerable character growth throughout the novel. She realises that she will never be “good” like her stepsister Ella. Instead, she can only be true to herself. And that is more than enough. Although both Isabelle and Tavi are frequently labelled as “ugly” by the other characters, I found that this wasn’t really the case. Stepsister cleverly conveys how beauty is only skin deep. It’s true that Isabelle was mean to Ella, but she wants to redeem herself.
What makes this retelling unique is Chance and Fate. I enjoyed the personification of these two characters who battle it out to shape Isabelle’s life path. The play in particular that Chance puts on for Isabelle is brilliant. Another fantasy element is the interesting interpretation of the fairy godmother who aids Isabelle. There are various strands and subplots, with some romance as well as humour. I particularly liked the last 100 pages of the book which is action-packed.
Overall
Stepsister is a well-written and dark retelling. In this story, Isabelle is no longer a one-dimensional character. Instead she goes on a difficult journey and becomes a force to be reckoned with. Jennifer Donnelly’s book has a great message: don’t let narrow definitions of beauty define you.
I warmed to both Isabelle and Octavia. Isabelle is brave, free-spirited and adventurous, whilst Octavia likes conducting experiments and solving equations. Unfortunately, the society in which they live in does not appreciate these qualities. They are expected to be demure, ladylike and above all beautiful. It’s something which still rings true today, as women in particular are judged only on their looks.
Isabelle gains considerable character growth throughout the novel. She realises that she will never be “good” like her stepsister Ella. Instead, she can only be true to herself. And that is more than enough. Although both Isabelle and Tavi are frequently labelled as “ugly” by the other characters, I found that this wasn’t really the case. Stepsister cleverly conveys how beauty is only skin deep. It’s true that Isabelle was mean to Ella, but she wants to redeem herself.
What makes this retelling unique is Chance and Fate. I enjoyed the personification of these two characters who battle it out to shape Isabelle’s life path. The play in particular that Chance puts on for Isabelle is brilliant. Another fantasy element is the interesting interpretation of the fairy godmother who aids Isabelle. There are various strands and subplots, with some romance as well as humour. I particularly liked the last 100 pages of the book which is action-packed.
Overall
Stepsister is a well-written and dark retelling. In this story, Isabelle is no longer a one-dimensional character. Instead she goes on a difficult journey and becomes a force to be reckoned with. Jennifer Donnelly’s book has a great message: don’t let narrow definitions of beauty define you.