16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
If the movie were PBS, the novelization would be MTV, June 21, 2000
This review is from: Ever After: A Cinderella Story (Laurel-Leaf Books) (Mass Market Paperback)
I like the book because it is very much like the movie, and I enjoyed the movie so much that I watched it 20 times, at least! I like the characters because they say the same words and act the same way like they do in the movie.
That was a test. If you found nothing wrong with the style (never mind the grammar) of the previous paragraph, then this book is perfect for you. The author writes romance novels for young adults (with strict emphasis on "young"). This novelization of Ever After is written in a style typical of that genre. With apologies to the author, I know that I am not part of the target readership of 12-14 year-olds. If you enjoyed the book, read no further. I don't want to ruin your opinion of a good novel. Otherwise, this review's for everybody else.
Knowing the author's intent, why did I read it? Curiosity, and a secret desire that the novel would miraculously undergo a pumpkin transformation into a decent read. It never did. I am writing to warn those viewers who loved the enchantment and the intellect of the movie. I am specifically addressing those readers who enjoy multi-syllabic words in a novel, and who actually remember the disco during its first incarnation...the "non-young" adults. Please DO NOT waste your hard-earned money on this book. If you absolutely must, just borrow a copy.
They say never judge a book by its cover. Well, never judge a movie by its novelization. The movie was brilliant, the novel falls short of the promise of the movie. I read this in an hour, which was forty-five minutes more than I should have spent on it. On the scale of "one to five glass slippers", (one being the most insipid, five being the most inspired), I give this a half of a glass slipper, only because the cover art was a beautiful rendition of the movie poster. If only they had added some color photo inserts, I would have increased my rating to two slippers. The novel is a bilious regurgitation of the movie's dialogue, with few minor changes or additions.
To add insult to injury, some of the best rhythms of dialogue were absolutely destroyed; e.g. "stay aloft madame, there are games afoot!" became: "stay aloft madame, we've got company!" Then, in the gypsy camp, Henry's confession that he didn't want to be king, was missing from the novel. I'm not objecting to an unfaithful reproduction of the characters' words verbatim, I object to the whole spirit of the novel. I expected to meet the strong-willed, able young woman portrayed in the movie. Instead, I found a protagonist whose thoughts echo the sentiments of the heroine in the classic fairy-tale, a heroine who just happens to spout the movie's dialogue. Quite a disappontment, considering how director Andy Tennant wanted to change that image.
I leave you with the novel's Danielle's thoughts on the first meeting with Henry, in the orchard.You be the judge.
"Despite her anger, she couldn't help noticing that the young man who stared into her eyes was gorgeous. Chiseled cheekbones, soft red lips, dark eyes with equally dark lashes, and soft silky black hair that just grazed his shoulders."
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A novel that Dosen't put the movie to shame, July 30, 2000
This review is from: Ever After: A Cinderella Story (Laurel-Leaf Books) (Mass Market Paperback)
Usually when I read books based on movies I am deeply dissapointed becasue A. they usually leave out important scenes, and/or B They treat the book like a screen play and barely put in any description. This book did not to that. I found Danielle's Cinderella like Story to be just as good in a novel as in a movie. If you liked the movie and you love fairy tales with strong Female charecters then you should definatly read this book!
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This was a GREAT book.. and it was a GREAT movie!!!!!, April 10, 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: Ever After: A Cinderella Story (Laurel-Leaf Books) (Mass Market Paperback)
I think the book was just as good as the movie.. The book gave a little more detail that MAYBE some people were looking for.. I would definately recommend the book.. And if you haven't watched the movie.. I'm sure you will love it.. I loved both the book and movie..
I think some people just aren't happy enough.. they have to have things there way.. I'm sure Wendy Loggia made the book as best as she could and I think she did a Wonderful job on it.. And they always say the books better then the movie.. well I liked them equally the same.. The book just has a little more detail..
I recommend everyone see the movie and read the book!!!!!!
oh and it does help some if your a fan of Drew Barrymore!!!!!
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