Book Review: Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister by Gregory Maguire

Author: Gregory Maguire

Title: Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister

Genre: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Fantasy, & Retelling

Format: Paperback

Pages: 372

Published: October 6, 1999

Where I Got It: My Shelf (Flint Library Book Sale)

Summary: 

We have all heard the story of Cinderella, the beautiful child cast out to slave among the ashes. But what of her stepsisters, the homely pair exiled into ignominy by the fame of their lovely sibling? What fate befell those untouched by beauty ... and what curses accompanied Cinderella's looks?

Set against the backdrop of seventeenth-century Holland, Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister tells the story of Iris, an unlikely heroine who finds herself swept from the lowly streets of Haarlem to a strange world of wealth, artifice, and ambition. Iris's path quickly becomes intertwined with that of Clara, the mysterious and unnaturally beautiful girl destined to become her sister. While Clara retreats to the cinders of the family hearth, Iris seeks out the shadowy secrets of her new household -- and the treacherous truth of her former life.

Review:

I'm trying SOOO hard to get through my TBR pile reading challenge. This is 11 out of 12! ONE MORE LEFT!

So here we have a retelling of the Ugly Stepsisters, Evil Stepmom, and Cindie. We all know the original story, but in this, we will see them all in 17th century Holland and in the point of view of Iris, one of the stepsisters, and their origin story. 

I struggled hardcore with this one. I was totally invested in the first 50 pages or so and then...I just stopped caring. I pushed through because 1) I wanted to be able to finish this and count it towards my challenge and 2) a small part of me wanted to see what would happen to the sisters and Clara (aka Cinderella). There was some mystery afoot. 

Sadly, this wasn't for me. I may try this again someday. I do plan on giving a second chance reading to at least one (or two) book(s) a year starting in 2024. I'm going to call it something like Carole's Second Chance or something clever and let people vote on what they want me to try again. 

But yes, I didn't vibe with this book. It seemed to drag on and on and on forever. I was just itching to see things happen, but it took so long. 

One thing I will say is that I truly appreciated the new setting of Holland. I also LOVED the fact that the author intertwined the Tulip mania. Nice touch. 

Overall, not for me. Some nice little things here and there so maybe I'll try it again someday. I'll give this 2 stars. Not for me sadly. 

Challenge(s):

- #11 TBR Pile Reading

Audiobook Review: Pont Neuf by Max Byrd

Author: Max Byrd
Narrator:  Natasha Soudek

Title: Pont Neuf

Genre: Historical Fiction
Format: Audiobook
Published: December 5th 2019
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)



In the summer of 1944, Annabella “Annie” March, a young American woman, arrives in France intending to write about the war. But when she finds herself overshadowed by her sometimes-mentor, sometimes-rival Martha Gellhorn - and Gellhorn’s troublesome husband, the novelist Ernest Hemingway - Annie turns to photography in search of the professional gratification she’s looking for.




I think I needed a good WWII book. It has been soooo long since I have and it seemed like fate when this popped up as a freebie from Audible! 


The story follows Annie in 1944. She is an American woman who arrives in France intending to write and take photos during the war. She meets Martha who is married to Ernest Hemingway and is also there to write. Along their journey, they meet two young soldiers who have been friends since their college days. Unknowingly their paths will intertwine through the war.


I should've smelled a love triangle from the moment I read "One woman. Two Soldiers". Sighs. Luckily it wasn't a true love triangle, because this is real life and there is a war going on. This made me happy. Not the war...but there was no annoying going back and forth. She likes both, but there are no promises between anyone. There is a war going on. They enjoy the time they get to spend with each other even the guy friends. Plus, the "love" going on was just background noise. It was not the main focus. The characters getting through the war are our main concerns.


Ugh Martha. I wanted to smack her and Ernest. Just get a divorce. You hate each other. 


I really liked how this was written. It felt like Annie was writing this like one of her articles. The little foreshadows were fun. 


Now....my biggest issue was the ending. Sooooo..........what happened? Can we please get an epilogue? We just have this intense scene on the bridge and then everyone walks away. What happened? Not amused at all. I can guess....but can I? Sighs. 


The narrator was awesome. She really made this story and the characters. I'm sure I have heard her before. She is great. I do not think I would've liked this as much as I did if I had read it. She really brought it alive for me. 



Overall, I really did like this. The love triangle didn't kill me like it normally does. It was done realistically. There is a damn war going on! The boys got real problems and so does Annie! The ending made me mad...so that takes away a star. All-in-all, worth the listen. I'll stamp this with 3 stars. 

Challenge(s):

- #7 for Audiobook Challenge

Book Review: A Light of Her Own by Carrie Callaghan

Author: Carrie Callaghan
Title: A Light of Her Own
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 300
Published: November 13th 2018
Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)



In Holland 1633, a woman’s ambition has no place. 

Judith is a painter, dodging the law and whispers of murder to become the first woman admitted to the prestigious Haarlem artist’s guild. Maria is a Catholic in a country where the faith is banned, hoping to absolve her sins by recovering a lost saint’s relic. 

Both women’s destinies will be shaped by their ambitions, running counter to the city’s most powerful men, whose own plans spell disaster. A vivid portrait of a remarkable artist, A Light of Her Own is a richly-woven story of grit against the backdrop of Rembrandts and repressive religious rule.

I was drawn in by the cover and by the summary. I couldn't wait to read this. 

The story follows Judith who is a painter. She is dodging the law and the whispers of murder. She meets Maria who is a Catholic in a country where it is banned. Judith will become one of the first women to be admitted into the Haarlem's artist's guild. I didn't know of Judith, but I knew of her work. I have seen the portraits and paintings, but I never knew who the artist was. So you can imagine how pleasantly surprised when I connected the dots while reading this and looking at the cover. 

It took me a while to really get into the book. The beginning was slow and I didn't connect with the characters right away but after a while, I finally felt invested and moved forward. I was worried it wouldn't pick up, but when it finally did I ran through this and got this done in a couple of sittings. 

I liked Judith even though she was pretty selfish from time-to-time. Maria was okay. I enjoyed watching these two strong women battle this world. Men owned everything and ruled over everything, so it was SO hard for ambitious women to succeed. Men sucked big time back then. I felt so bad for Judith and Maria. 

The story was slow-paced but it was fun to read all cuddled up. Learned a lot about Judith and the Haarlem's artist's guild. Lots of darn politics for a guild of painters. You would think it wouldn't be but like everything politics and money talk.  

Overall, I enjoyed this. It took a while for me to get into the story and it was slow-paced, but it was fun. Poor Judith and Maria. They had a rough time for sure in this man's world. I recommend it if you like a good people story or a good historical fiction. I'll give this 3 stars. 

Book Review: Ecstasy by Mary Sharratt

Author: Mary Sharratt 
Title: Ecstasy
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 387
Published: April 10th 2018
Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher)



In the glittering hotbed of turn-of-the-twentieth-century Vienna, one woman’s life would define and defy an era 

Gustav Klimt gave Alma her first kiss. Gustav Mahler fell in love with her at first sight and proposed only a few weeks later. Bauhaus founder Walter Gropius abandoned all reason to pursue her. Poet and novelist Franz Werfel described her as “one of the very few magical women that exist.” But who was this woman who brought these most eminent of men to their knees? In Ecstasy, Mary Sharratt finally gives one of the most controversial and complex women of her time the center stage. 

Coming of age in the midst of a creative and cultural whirlwind, young, beautiful Alma Schindler yearns to make her mark as a composer. A brand-new era of possibility for women is dawning and she is determined to make the most of it. But Alma loses her heart to the great composer Gustav Mahler, nearly twenty years her senior. He demands that she give up her music as a condition for their marriage. Torn by her love and in awe of his genius, how will she remain true to herself and her artistic passion?

Part cautionary tale, part triumph of the feminist spirit, Ecstasy reveals the true Alma Mahler: composer, author, daughter, sister, mother, wife, lover, and muse.



I wanted to read this book because it sounded soooo good and that cover? I love it so much! So cool and unique. 

I honestly never heard of Alma before so this was a new adventure for me. Alma was a musically-inclined girl who wanted to be a composer. Things happen and she falls in love with Gustav and they get married. However, Gustav demands she has to stop writing her music and she agrees. Of course, she regrets this but loves him so she sticks around. 

Gustav wasn't a bad guy and it was hard to hate him. He was older and had old thoughts on women and marriage so what did you expect Alma? Can't blame her either though...love is blinding so I can see how she thought it would all be alright. Drove me to insanity! I could see how bad this was going to be. Of course....I was right. 

Lots of drama. I enjoyed every second of it. I felt bad for all players involved, but it was interesting to see this couple try to make it. They love each other but they have lots of issues. I don't know how Alma could stand it. I would've lost it. Imagine if my BF demanded I stopped writing or reading before we get married. Errrrr not sure if I would do it. 

The writing was lovely and I finished this in 2 sittings and that is only because I had stupid responsibilities. ;) 

Such a good book and that cover? LOVE IT! I highly recommend it if you want some drama. Out of five, I'll stamp it with 5 stars. 

Book Review: Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier

Author: Tracy Chevalier
Title: Girl With a Pearl Earring 
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 233
First Published: 1999
Where I Got It: My shelf (Used Book Store)

With precisely 35 canvases to his credit, the Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer represents one of the great enigmas of 17th-century art. The meager facts of his biography have been gleaned from a handful of legal documents. Yet Vermeer's extraordinary paintings of domestic life, with their subtle play of light and texture, have come to define the Dutch golden age. His portrait of the anonymous Girl with a Pearl Earring has exerted a particular fascination for centuries--and it is this magnetic painting that lies at the heart of Tracy Chevalier's second novel of the same title.
Girl with a Pearl Earring centers on Vermeer's prosperous Delft household during the 1660s. When Griet, the novel's quietly perceptive heroine, is hired as a servant, turmoil follows. First, the 16-year-old narrator becomes increasingly intimate with her master. Then Vermeer employs her as his assistant--and ultimately has Griet sit for him as a model.

This has been sitting on my shelf for quite some time. There was a lot of dust on it! 0.o I got it a while back because the movie had come out and everyone was raving about the book. Plus, I like that particular painting, so a nice little fiction about it would be fun. 

So why did I wait so long? I have no idea. I am glad I finally got myself to read it.

It was good. I had never read a book by this author (but I own two of her books), but she is beloved in the HF world and I can see why. She has a way of bringing the world alive. She draws up in from the first page and doesn't ever let you go. There isn't a lot of description, but it isn't really needed...the characters she writes about makes the world. I could see the houses and Griet's path every Sunday from the painter's house to her little shack with her parents. I loved it.

At first, though, I was having a hard time emotionally connecting with Griet. She rarely showed emotion to anything...even when a certain event with her sister happened. She seemed to show the bare minimum of emotion. It was annoying! However, as the story progressed you get to understand Griet more and understand she bottles everything in like me. The only thing that escapes is through her eyes, which is why her master (the painter) wanted to paint her. 

WHICH! They are suppose to have a "romance" of some sort, but I did not see it. Yes, they gave each other a couple looks and he touched her cheek once, but that was it. There was no kissing, embracing. She was just a muse to him for a hot second. The love and wanting of romance was all on Griet it seemed. When she couldn't handle it anymore she would run to her "fiance". FRUSTRATING! 

In the end, this was good. I am mad at myself for not reading this sooner. I still don't understand why I waited FOREVER to read this. Now, I must watch the movie even though the main character is played by an actress I think is totally overrated. Meh. ANYWAYS, I wish that there was more of a romance between Griet and the painter; like one kiss? Over all, though, this was a good book for any Historical Fiction lover. Out of five stars, I stamp this with 4. 

Favorite Character(s): Griet (even tho it took a few pages before I connected with her) and Maria Thins 
Not-so Favorite Character(s):  Cornelia (little freakin' brat who needed to be shoved into the river)