
Review - Retelling a classic can be a tricky business and Cinderella is a tale that has been spun countless ways. I have been itching to read something of Robin Palmer's for awhile so when I saw the lone copy in Borders, I snatched it and almost ran to the counter. (I did resist the need to click my heels and do a jig.)
Cindy is an activist, in that she believes the prom is a big load of codswallop. She's stuck in the modern equivalent of Cinderella's hellish existence; a botoxed step-mother, two fashion tragic step-sisters, an infant half-brother and a workaholic father. While every single one of these can be cliched (and at times they were, often for comedic effect), Palmer was able to give them touches of humanity.
I very much enjoyed Cindy's besties; the hippie India and John Hughes-loving Malcom. Any book that heartily refers to John Hughes, creates a character that continually applies life to John Hughes movies, is my idea of a good time. They were well rounded and supportive of Cindy's attempts to swim against the high school current. However, I do wish they'd done more to curb Cindy's tendencies to declare her love for boys she barely knows.
The conclusion of the book was fairly predictable. I could see the identity of Brklyn Boy from an ocean away. I was pleasantly surprised that the protagonist's major stance of the movie was adhered to. There's nothing worse than a boy swaying a girl's firm held, rightful belief in something and we didn't see that here. In fact the love interest admired Cindy because of these opinions.
Palmer has created a witty retelling of Cinderella in a modern context. Her characters are amusing and entertaining, I am even more keen now to read Geek Charming.

Published: 2008
Format: Paperback, 264 pages
Publisher: Speak
Origin: USA
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Robin Palmer's Official Website
7 comments:
This sounds great, I love fairy tale retellings and the cover is really cute.
Oooh yeah I was to read this one too!
This sounds cool, I'm running off to Amazon to find out more right now!
This sounds pretty good, I totally hated Geek Charming though!
I have got to read this book!! I read Robin Palmer's Geek Charming and really liked it so I'm sure I'll like this one too :D
I have to say this looks good and has been in my TBR pile for just over a year, I also own geek charming and havn't gotten to yet. But I can't wait to read it.
I read this book and I reeeeaaaaaalllllly liked it. It was hilarious, except the part about Adam. That was so sad!
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