Customer Reviews

Cinders

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(21)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I didn't intend on reading this novella in one sitting. However, like good stories are apt to do, this one quietly pulled me in and by the time I realized it--I was past the point of no return.

I've read quite a few Cinderella sequels: some playful, some humorous, some full of talking animals and other familiar fairy-tale elements. Argyle's Cinderella while playful in some areas, humorous in others, is haunting in its elegance and simplicity. The prose itself is pitch perfect for the narrative, to the point where as a reader you forget that you're reading. It's presented like the glass slipper that it is: beautiful, translucent, and full of unexpected magic.

The characters are solid, memorable, sturdy and some of them ephemeral (I'll leave that for you to figure out...I don't do spoilers). The plot is deftly paced. But what struck me above everything else is Argyle's use of imagery. So many passages echo after they've been read...not because of how they were written, but because of what they said.

...After a moment Cinderella realized she was touching her crown, thinking of the grease on Marion's chin as she ate her food and told Rowland things weren't fair...


...Neither of these images represented what Cinderella saw now: a skeleton of a woman so thin and aged she looked as if she belonged to the worn stone walls. Her skin was gray, her eyes dull and lifeless. Her hair had fallen out in clumps, leaving only strings to cover her baldness...


I am actually leaving my favorite passages out because I want them to have the same effect on you as they did on me. They aren't mere descriptions. They tell the rest of the story.

Cinders takes unexpected turns, ironic turns, turns that some readers won't appreciate. Those aren't the readers to whom the story was intended. Few writers have the skill and foresight to craft a fairytale that is applicable to real life, while maintaining the elemental integrity of the story. Argyle does this seamlessly and while you think for a time that you're simply hearing another classic tale, slowly, you begin to see another layer--the bones beneath the flesh--and it is this layer, that adds the most brilliant aspect to Argyle's prose. With this layer, she breathes life into characters that we've become all too familiar with and gives them new purpose. This layer presents to us another fairytale, a slightly darker, more visceral one...read carefully and you'll see exactly what I mean. There is no question that each and every line was arranged with clear purpose and if you look closely, you'll see the reason for the novella's title.

Keep your eye on this girl. I don't say that often. This brief journey into Argyle's imagination left me wanting to see more of what she'll create in the coming years and there are few things more exciting for a reader than discovering, not just a book that holds promise, but an author with whom we know we'll share many adventures in the future.

Was this book short? Yes. Was it truncated? Absolutely not. I actually loved the length. To me, it signified that Argyle took pains to refine the language into a beautiful and lyrical style. I thought this story was refreshing, a book where the author does not descend to insulting filler, gimmicks, or cliffhangers that are obviously meant to wring more money out of readers. The ending left me curious to know more about this world, but completely satisfied with what I had. That is no easy feat.

If I were someone who easily gave five-star reviews, I would not have hesitated here. There was one tiny flaw, though: for me, it was difficult to connect to the main character, and I felt the story would have been so much more poignant had I done so. I think part of the problem was that Cinderella had an uncertain relationship with every other character in the book, and that made her into the kind of person with whom it is difficult to empathize.

But do not let that deter you from reading this book. It was excellent. Argyle obviously has great potential, and I could definitely see myself giving her five stars for her next book, which I'm eager to read. I would highly recommend Cinders to anyone who wants to read a book in its entirety on their day off, curling up under the blankets and escaping into someone else's world.

A wonderful ride through a dark suspenseful world, which features a cunning, secretive Cinderella. Luscious prose, and seat of your pants page turning suspense will have you gulping down this gem in one sitting. I could not put it down. Spellbinding!

I haven't read much literary fiction in recent years, preferring more "mass market" fare to escape with. But this particular novella is a pleasant, relaxing interlude that is meant to be savored slowly in small bites, not at all assuming or pretentious like I've found so many literary works to be. You won't need a dictionary or crib notes to enjoy this story, but I would caution against devouring it too quickly, lest you miss any of the wonderful layers within.

Argyle has woven a fascinating blend of emotional angst and poetic beauty in this fantasy that explores the concept of love - what it is, how we recognize it, and what happens when it's all an illusion. She takes the romantic Cinderella fairy-tale we all know and goes deeper, giving us an alternate reality that is both plausible and fanciful to challenge our perception of "happily ever after".

The prose is beautiful and flows smoothly in true fairy-tale style, and I found it both thought-provoking and satisfying when I reached the end. I'll definitely be looking for more work from this author - literary fiction (or literary fantasy, if you will) is lucky to have such a talented newcomer, in my opinion.

Cinders is more than a fairy tale. In a way, it harkens back to the real Grimm brother's story of Cinderella and continues things after she has married the prince. The original Grimm stories were dark, violent, and often didn't end with "They lived happily ever after." In a way, Cinders is the same way. It's a story about a young girl who found her way into a royal family through magic. Things aren't always rosy and happy in the story, but then things weren't always rosy and happy in medieval times. The story has a more realistic feel to it than the Disney version of Cinderella. No dancing, singing mice here.

The story kept my attention and kept me reading, wanting to know how it would end. As you think you know what will happen, the author throws in some complete surprises near the end of the story. The main character of Cinderella begins to doubt what she really wants, and how she really feels. Magic is a dangerous thing to use in this world, and she learns the hard way it's not something to play with. With a surprise ending, this was really a good story, and I really enjoyed reading it! I don't recommend the book for anyone looking for the happily ever after ending, but I do recommend it for anyone who like their fairy tales a bit more...medieval. Not too long of a story, and simply written, but not for children. Overall though, a fantastic book!

I originally bought this book for my wife but after she finished decided to give it a try and was pleasantly surprised. I wouldn't consider myself the target audience for this type of story. I do like romances but not the hot and steamy type that seems to be the rage in a lot of circles right now. Not that I'm a prude but I don't need to a blow by blow account of intimate scenes. Less is more in my opinion which in the case of all facets of Cinders less was more. There weren't any wasted words or tangents. It was a tight story all the way through. The writing pulled me in right from the beginning. Nice prose, great imagery, and convincing dialogue. I could easily picture all the characters, the castle, and everywhere the story takes you. I've read the Grimm fairy tale and of course have seen various movie versions of the story Cinderella, Ever After etc and this certainly follows Grimm more than Disney which is great. I have seen how some didn't like the ending but I don't know what other ending you would have put on this story. Would I have liked to have known more about some of the characters? Sure. Would I have liked the story to go on longer? Sure. But in telling the heart of the story I think the author did just what was needed to wrap that up and just like life it doesn't always come in a pretty bow. Highly recommend this to anyone who likes romance or fantasy.

I loved this book. Beautifully written, clever, three dimensional characters and with enough fairy tale magic to suit the theme of the story. Cinderella herself is a good strong character, intelligent and brave . The prince is so much more than a fairy tale prince and yet utterly charming. I certainly fell in love with him. The ending was sad, but not unexpected and a little bit hopeful as well.

Thank you to the author for a wonderful, enjoyable story which held my interest all the way through. I will definitely watch out for more books by this author.

If I could describe this book in one word, it would be: beautiful. From the prose, to the characters, to the overall story, Ms. Argyle has created something truly lovely. I was definitely impressed. I imagine it's not easy to create a retelling of the Cinderella story that is so fresh and unique. While fans of the Disney version might balk at certain plot twists, I really enjoyed this interpretation. Argyle presents a skilled blend of realism and fantasy.

**spoilers**

At first, I decided I didn't like the ending. It threw me for a bit of a loop. However, as I've thought more about it, I've realized that the ending works perfectly with what the author was trying to accomplish in her story. Would I have rather seen Cinderella start out on a bold new path with Kale and her new-found powers? Yes. (And I would have wanted a sequel!) But the I can still appreciate the ending as it is. It works. It's what the story required.

**end spoilers**

Overall, I was very impressed with this novella. It's small, but it packs a powerful punch. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone.

Like any good fairy tale, Argyle's Cinders reads less like a romance or a fantasy and more like literature that has the sensibilities of historical fiction and simply happens to include fantastic people doing fantastic things in fantastic places.

This briskly moving novella is not a retelling or a reinterpretation of Cinderella. In so far as the events contained in the traditional and popular Cinderella stories are largely foundational to the events and characters of Cinders, it might be said that this work is a continuation of Cinderella. I think such a characterization, however, does a great injustice to what is, truly, a story that stands on its own.

Readers who approach Cinders as they might a YA fantasy might be surprised by its maturity, shocked by its moments of brutality, and discomfited by its approach to love and sensuality. On the other hand, readers who expect Argyle's novella to have the tone of a scandalous tell-all revision may well be uneasy with its emotional sensitivity, disappointed in its gentle intellect, or confused by its subtlety. If instead, you approach Cinders as I did, as a 180-some page literary fairy tale, you will enjoy the lean richness of its language, the emotional realness of the main character, and the deftness with which Argyle is able to create a complex story that manages to read as if it were tidy.

When I saw this was a re-telling of Cinderella...I was excited to get my hands on it. In many ways I wasn't quite sure what to expect and to be honest it wasn't what I thought it would be like at all. The novel itself has hints of mystery, murder, romance, and magic all rolled into one. It is a powerful story; well written and with very detailed and intricate descriptions. The story takes quite a dark approach to the fairy tale of Cinderella...which is something that I was not expecting. This story was more of a mature and adult re-telling of the tale. I liked the different take on the fairy tale, and especially since the plot focuses on the storyline after Cinderella has married the prince. I was expecting a light, magical, and happy story written more for young adults. I do think a lot of mature high schoolers out there though would love this book.

The characters are well rounded and I felt connected to them and understood them by the end of the book. Not only was the story full of magic, but the writing was magical as well! The storyline hooked me in and held my interest until the end...I absolutely loved it. I would tell more about it, but I don't want to give any of it away. I truly did feel that the story came full circle by the end and answered all my questions. The story portrays a more realistic view of life. I think we get caught up in having every book we read and movie we see end with everything solved. Life is never like that. I enjoyed Cinders because of its fresh new angle on an old fairy tale.

This isn't your usual happy fairy tale; it is a dark, mysterious, and captivating read and I would highly recommend it. I am a huge fantasy fan and love different takes and re-tellings of fairy tales! One of the main reasons I wanted to read the book was because I knew it was a genre I love.