Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister
Cinderella retold through an ugly stepsister's eyes.
Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister is a 1999 fantasy novel by American writer Gregory Maguire that retells the Cinderella story from the perspective of one of her stepsisters. The book was adapted into a 2002 television movie directed by Gavin Millar for The Wonderful World of Disney.
Quick Facts
- Author
- Gregory Maguire
- Cover artist
- Douglas Smith
- Country
- United States
- Language
- English
- Genre
- Fantasy
- Publisher
- William Morrow
- Released
- November 1, 1999
- Format
- Print (hardback & paperback)
Facts from the source article.
Plot
Iris, the plain younger daughter of Margarethe Fisher, cares for her mentally handicapped older sister Ruth and her beautiful stepsister Clara after the family flees from the Fens of Cambridgeshire to Haarlem in the Netherlands. Following her father's death, Iris contemplates beauty and ugliness while studying painting under a local artist known as The Master and his apprentice Caspar. Margrethe forces Iris and Ruth to attend a ball hoping the prince will choose Iris, but Iris secretly helps Clara go instead, and the prince falls in love with Clara. At the ball, Ruth burns the Master's magnum opus, a painting of Clara. The fairy tale of Cinderella and her pumpkin carriage is spun, and the prince collects Clara the next morning. Iris eventually marries Caspar and paints beside him, Caspar cares for Ruth, and Clara dies in New Amsterdam from a complaint of the heart.
Characters
Iris Fisher, later Iris van den Meer, is the plain-faced daughter of Margarethe and Jack Fisher and younger sister to Ruth. When her mother marries Cornelius van den Meer, Iris becomes stepsister to Clara. She develops an interest in art and feelings for Caspar, which she denies. Margarethe ten Broek Fisher, later Margarethe van den Meer, marries Clara's father to keep herself and her daughters fed; she is tough on all the children. Ruth Fisher, the oldest, is mentally handicapped and possibly autistic; she is ultimately revealed as the story's narrator. Clara van den Meer, the beautiful only child of Van den Meer and his first wife Henrika, was kept hidden by her mother and later stays home by choice. As a child she was kidnapped by Mr. van Stolk, her father's business associate, and believes water-spirits turned her into a changeling. After her mother's death she calls herself Ashgirl, Cinderling, and Cinderella. Henrika Vinckboons van den Meer, Clara's mother, kept Clara locked inside to protect her and was poisoned by Margarethe, dying during childbirth.
Adaptation
The television adaptation, written by Gene Quintano and directed by Gavin Millar, aired on March 10, 2002 and was shot in Luxembourg. It starred Azura Skye as Iris, Stockard Channing as Margarethe, Emma Poole as Ruth, Jenna Harrison as Clara, Jonathan Pryce as Schoonmaker, and Matthew Goode in his debut as Casper. This version presents a more traditional interpretation with a sympathetic Cinderella who coins the name Cinderella while helping Iris with chores, includes a fairy godmother figure, and gives Clara a pet mouse. The film varies widely from the book: it lacks religious or magical aspects, Clara never calls herself a changeling, and the gallery of God's mistakes does not appear. Henrika is absent, having been dead for many years rather than poisoned during childbirth. Clara is already mature and only spoiled in the film, while Ruth talks more often and helps out. Clara's fear of the world stems from her mother's death, not her mother's teachings. The movie adds a fairy godmother and ends happily, unlike the book's tragic conclusion. The book is narrated by Ruth, while the movie is narrated by the Master.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister published?
Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister was published on November 1, 1999.
Who published Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister?
Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister was published by William Morrow.
Who illustrated Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister?
Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister was illustrated by Douglas Smith.
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