Monday 1 May 2017

Tales From The Past Part Two: Cinderella


with Sharon Burke

Disney's 2015 live action remake of Cinderella grossed over $500 million worldwide. Cinderella tales arise in many parts of the world including China, Greece, India, Malaysia and the Middle East. Many popular historical romances published today use a Cinderella theme. Even the capable romantic heroine who knows her own mind has elements of a Cinderella-type romance in her contemporary love story.


Why is this the case? What is it about the Cinderella tale that makes it so popular and enduring? How has this story survived, and remained a popular theme of so many romance novels, in this age of feminism?

Why do we love or hate the Cinderella story?

Much of the contemporary dislike for the Cinderella story, arises because it is perceived as being about the rescue of Cinderella – the prince rescues Cinderella from her stepmother and a life of deprivation. The modern success of the Cinderella story is attributed to a different mindset. People who love the story frequently view it as not being so much about rescue as about change and hope – there is a “happy ever after” in which we can all believe.

https://pixabay.com/en/germany-bavaria-1014376/

My favourite contemporary Cinderella story is Girl on a Plane by Cassandra O'Leary. This fast-paced romance between assertive Sinead and overloaded, time-poor Gabriel gives us a hero and heroine who both need to change and overcome personal difficulties. With brilliant comedy and unexpected plot twists both protagonists grow and achieve their happy ever after.



What is your favourite Cinderella romance?

Are you a fan of the classic tale or does it annoy you?

Do you think the story is about change and hope?


I love to love: I am going to the ballet with my Dad tonight.


I love to laugh: I was so sorry to hear John Clarke died. I have been a fan of “Clarke and Dawe” for several years.


I love to learn: We just returned from a trip to Tasmania during which we took many walks and learnt about the history behind the places we visited.

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11 comments:

  1. Cassandra Samuels1 May 2017 at 09:29

    Ever After is my fave re-make of the cinderella story with Drew Barrymore. It sticks pretty closely to the original story but the reason she puts up with the situation is for the other servants/staff that work at the house. She is strong, capable, loving, and compassionate. It is these traits that the prince falls in love with. So, yes, I do love a good Cinderella story as long as it is done right.

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    1. Marilyn Forsyth1 May 2017 at 17:24

      I love Ever After, too, Cassandra. Such a feel-good movie!

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    2. Sharon Bryant1 May 2017 at 19:34

      Hi Cassandra and Marilyn, I love "Ever After". The heroine, Danielle, is inspiring, capable and caring. I think the characterisation, setting and growth in the relationship of Danielle and the prince is superbly handled.

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  2. Malvina1 May 2017 at 11:57

    I have to agree with Cassandra. The film 'Ever After' smashed the Cinderella stereotype forever for me. Instead of the prince 'rescuing her' she rescues herself (and women cheer the world over). But I do love an excellent rags to riches romance; it's a romance trope I really love. One I can highly recommend is 'Christmas in the Boss's Castle- by Scarlet Wilson, which I read in that delicious 'down' week between Christmas and New Year last year. It's a boss and a chambermaid story, so hello 'Cinderella'! But it's much deeper than that with tremendous depth and heart - such a lovely story with a wonderful festive feel (but you could read it any time of the year and rejoice in the tenderness). Thanks Sharyn for your post, I'm enjoying your take on tales as old as time...

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    1. Sharon Bryant1 May 2017 at 19:36

      Thanks Malvina and thank you for the reading recommendation. I'm about to add "Christmas in the Boss' Castle" to my kindle.

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  3. Enisa1 May 2017 at 16:45

    Hi Sharon. I fell in love with the romance genre when I read Cinderella as a child so it's got a special place in my heart. My fave movie based on Cinderella is Pretty Woman. This girl who won't let the bad situation she's in bring her down meets this guy who discovers she's more than someone to look down on. He wants to save her from the situation but she ends up saving him so he gets back the wonderful man he used to be. In book form, my fave is The Bride Protector by Gayle Wilson. I love that book for so many reasons and one is the saving, again, of each other.

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    1. Sharon Bryant1 May 2017 at 19:38

      Hi Enisa, I agree that Pretty Woman is a fantastic, feel good movie. I haven't read "The Bride Protector" yet. I must add it to my reading list.

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    2. Enisa1 May 2017 at 20:14

      It's an old Harlequin Intrigue. On Kindle now, I think.

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  4. Marilyn Forsyth1 May 2017 at 17:38

    Hi Sharon, I just love Cinderella stories, whether books or movies, as I've always seen them as championing 'Hope'. Hope for a better life after adversity, hope for the justice of karma (ooh, that nasty step-mother!), hope for finding that one true love. Ever After remains one of my favourite Cinderella movies, although I also love Ella Enchanted. My favourite Cinderella book is probably The Nanny Diaries by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus. Lots of fun, but poignant too.

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  5. Sharon Bryant1 May 2017 at 19:40

    Thanks so much, Marilyn. I've yet to see Ella Enchanted and read The Nanny Diaries. I get so many great novel and movie ideas from this blog.

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  6. Unknown3 May 2017 at 14:59

    Hi Sharon, great post. I like Cindarella. Always like a happy ending. Why is Pretty Woman one of the most successful movies around? And I'll have to read Girl on a Plane, it sounds interesting.

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