Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister - Gregory Maquire

Confessions is the real story of Cinderella. Set in 17th century Holland it begins when the two Fisher sisters, Iris and Ruth, find themselves back in Holland after there father is killed and they have to flee England with their Mother, Margarethe. Things look bleak for the family until they are taken in by a Dutch artist who shows them compassion by feeding them and giving them a home. Margarethe wants more though and they soon move in to run the home of a wealthy tulip exporter who has a beautiful daughter Clara. After Van den Meer's wife dies, Margarethe marries Van den Meer. What follows is the classic tale of Cinderella, but motives are explained and one sees that no one is completely innocent or guilty. People are people trying to work within the confines of their culture, station, and abilities, trying to make the best life for themselves possible.

On the Four Star Scale

Sap Factor ( *) - There are hard times in this book but the characters are forced to deal with them in the context of survival and can not spend time dwelling on their misfortunes.

Naughty Bits (*) - Some deceit and desire.

Readability (***) - 384 pages, reads well.

Final notes - It is fun to read the story of Cinderella again. I enjoy the way that no one person is completely good or evil. I found the tulip history extremely interesting.