Cinderella
Fiction | Short Story | Middle Grade | Published in 1812
20
Short Story • Fiction
1812
Middle grade
8-12 years
In Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm's 1812 version of "Cinderella," titled "Aschenputtel," a kind and good girl is mistreated by her stepmother and stepsisters after her mother's death. Despite being forced into servitude and denied the chance to attend the king's festival, she receives help from a hazel tree and a magical bird. She secretly attends the festival in beautiful dresses, captivates the prince, and eventually fits into a golden slipper, leading to her marriage with the prince and a deserved, happy life. The story contains depictions of familial neglect and physical maiming.
Fantastical
Romantic
Inspirational
Bittersweet
Nostalgic
Reviews of Cinderella by the Grimm Brothers praise its timeless storytelling and dark, captivating elements, which starkly contrast Disney’s version. Criticism includes the graphic nature of some scenes, considered too intense for young readers. Overall, it’s a gripping, albeit grim, retelling of a classic fairy tale that appeals more to mature audiences.
A reader who enjoys classic fairy tales, rich in vivid imagery and moral lessons, would appreciate the Brothers Grimm's Cinderella. Fans of Hansel and Gretel and Charles Perrault's Bluebeard will find its blend of enchantment and darker undertones compelling. Ideal for those fascinated by folklore's enduring appeal.
20
Short Story • Fiction
1812
Middle grade
8-12 years
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