Book Review: Cinderella Ate My Daughter

Friday Spines Book Review Number 29: 

Cinderella Ate My Daughter, by Peggy Orenstein

(Disclaimer: I'm writing a research paper covering this subject...please disregard all thesis-like statements. I apologize.)

Cinderella Ate My Daughter would be best appreciated by someone who isn't already very educated about feminist parenting. I've read reviews that Peggy Orenstein has nothing new to say, or at least nothing new to those who are pretty familiar with the subject. (This is probably true.) To me-- someone who's interested in the politics gender bias of childhood marketing, but doesn't know much about it--Cinderella was perfect. 

No matter who you are, Barbies have probably freaked you out at one point or another (quite understandably). You might have thought about the young girls who play with them, wondered briefly how the plastic skinny-waisted, long-legged dolls affect them, and moved on to the clothing section or the book aisle. In Cinderella, Orenstein explores the consequences of media portrayal of girls and women, how stereotypes manifest and evolve in popular culture, and the trends evidencing the affect of our perception of girlhood.

While parents or parents-to-be will be especially interested in this book, it's a fascinating read for ages 14 and up. The writing is accessible enough for this age; some readers may not appriciate it for a few more years, but it's a great introduction to the subject. 

Other things I liked about this book:

• The anecdotes and statistics scattered throughout the book were balanced nicely with analysis and personal stories.
• There is enough repetition to convey Orenstein's point--pretty in pink is more harmful than we thought--but the writing never gets tired.
• The cover provides visual introduction to the book, with sparkles, pink, a fluffy dress, and a nice touch of irony.
• The author's honest narration of her journey from opinionated journalist to mother is easy to identify with, even for those without daughters.

Other books you may enjoy: The Triple Bind, by Stephen Hinshaw; Full Frontal Feminism, by Jessica Valenti; Schoolgirls (and other books by Peggy Orenstein)

Other links: The author discussing Cinderella Ate My Daughter with radio host Michael Krasny; What's Wrong With Cinderella?, an article by Peggy Orenstein that preceded her Cinderella book; Peggy Orentsein's website

Happy reading!

M. Gabrielle

Next Friday Spines Review

Hello lovely readers! In between essay writing, research essay writing, application essay writing, (please don't say the word "edit"), and, um, essay writing...on Friday I'll be reviewing Cinderella Ate My Daughter, by Peggy Orenstein. Yes, this is a non-fiction book (the horror!) about parenting, but it's also a fascinating account of how pink, sparkles, and pretty-pretty-pretty have completely invaded pop culture, with accessible, funny writing and...wait...it's Monday. I also recommend the radio program of Peggy Orenstein discussing Cinderella Ate My Daughter with host Michael Krasny; it's about 50 minutes long, iPod-friendly, and completely worthwhile.

Enjoy the book...see you Friday!

Happy reading,
M. Gabrielle

By the way, everyone, I believe I finally got the comment feature working, so please do tell me things you love about Friday Spines, books you'd like to see, or any other feedback you might have. Hope to hear from you!

Book Review: The Pursuit of Happiness

Friday Spines Book Review Number 28:

The Pursuit of Happiness, by Tara Altebrando

"The day my mother dies is a Thursday in mid-June and Loretta's scolding me for leaving my cell phone on the kitchen table." 18-year-old Betsy introduces us to her story in The Pursuit of Happiness with this effortless juxtaposition of ordinary, odd, and profound. I've been wary of books where the mother dies ever since glancing at the title of One of Those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies, by Sonya Sones (which admittedly I never read, but it made me notice the growing number of books with that theme). However, the author of Happiness uses funny subplots, peculiar situations that will make you go back and reread them to make sure you actually understood correctly, and honest narration to keep this entertaining, emotional book from becoming one of the crowd.

Betsy Odell didn't want to spend her summer at a colonial farm--Morrisville Historic Village, to be exact--she didn't want to spend it with Liza Murphy, "the weirdest freak of a girl" from school, and she didn't want to start it by breaking up with Brandon, her first legitimate boyfriend. On the other hand, James, the cute blonde "farm boy" at Morrisville doesn't seem so bad, and neither does Liza, once Betsy gets used to her. 

Over the next three months, Morrisville becomes home to Betsy more than her house does. Her father, a history professor, is distant, and not able to step into his wife's shoes the way Betsy wishes for. Her best friend Mary, after being fired from Morrisville, starts seeming juvenile to Betsy, and she grows to appreciate Liza's fresh frankness over Mary's familiarity. The resolution isn't a forced cliffhanger; it's satisfying, refreshing, and hopeful, bringing a sense of closure to Betsy's compelling story.

I'd recommend this book for readers age 13 and up. There's drinking, but it's portrayed candidly and not without consequences (both physical and emotional hangovers). Betsy's story, while often written lightly, is fairly intense at times, and will be best understood by slightly older readers. While the seasonal journey of summer is on the overused side, the writing and supporting plots keep Happiness slightly above the rest. 

Other things I liked about this book:

• James seems too perfect at times (and realistic at others), but Brandon is a clear villain, but seems like someone you could easily meet outside of literature.
• The cover. I try not to judge covers (as a writer, I have a strong allergy to cliches) but this photo drew me in instantly.
• Tara Altebrando's first person narrative is well-written, casual without being trashy, easy to identify but not overused. 
• Betsy's fascination with silhouettes grows along with her through the course of the story, mirroring her acceptance of her mother's death and the changes it's caused in herself and her life.

Other books you might enjoy: The Summer I Turned Pretty, by Jenny Han; Twenty Boy Summer, by Sarah Ockler; and Stay, by Deb Caletti.

Happy reading!

M. Gabrielle

Next Friday Spines Review

Hello, lovely readers! And happy Monday, in California at least, because it's finally feeling like summer.

On Friday I'll be reviewing The Pursuit of Happiness, by Tara Altebrando--it's a wonderful, unique, funny summer story.

Enjoy the book--see everyone Friday!

M. Gabrielle

Book Review: A Mango-Shaped Space

Friday Spines Book Review Number 26:

A Mango-Shaped Space, by Wendy Mass

This is the story of a cat named Mango, his human Mia--who sees colors in the air when she hears sound--and their journeys to the unknown. 

Mia, a thirteen-year-old with a condition called synesthesia (click here for synesthete.org for more information on synesthesia), is grieving for her grandfather, who died about a year ago. She was very close to him, and at his funeral she finds a small grey and white kitten, who, to her, holds a part of his soul. She names the kitty Mango, not because of his orange eyes, but because his wheezy purrs appear as mango-colored puffs in the air. 

Nearly a year later, Mango is full grown, and Mia's colors, as she calls them, are still with her. Since numbers have both numerical value, shape and color to her, she's failed two math tests in a row, and is finally forced to tell her parents about the colored patterns she sees in the air. This results in an unsettling visit to a psychiatrist who mentions "middle child syndrome"; a fight with Mia's best friend Jenna; and finally, a community of people who she can understand.

Readers 9-14 will probably identify with it most, but it's a wonderful read for ages 8 and up: told in Mia's simple, uninhibited voice; she reveals all her secrets to us, and in her words we hear the fluctuations in her life. The story is honest and ordinary, with fresh twists not often seen in books for this age group. Not written as an ideal life or fairytale, young readers will be able to see themselves in Mia, even if they can't see colors in the air. 

Other things I liked about this book:

• Wendy Mass walks the line between an overplayed, far-fetched psychic pet connection and a colorless one: Mia's relationship with Mango isn't unrealistic, but it's still special. 
• The romance is utterly age-appropriate, but also utterly sweet. Rodger is no Prince Charming (it's Adam who appears to be her Prince but is quickly and bitingly revealed to be rather self-absorbed), but he's funny and will be loved by readers of all ages.
• Jenna's tangled relationship with her deceased mother will draw you into her story, adding a sensitive level of depth to the book. 
• The imagery in this book goes deeper than images, evoking the vivid memory of smells, sensations, and feelings in the reader.

Warning: the cover is a little misleading, but is explained later in the book.

Happy reading--I'll see everyone on Monday!

M. Gabrielle

Next Friday Spines Review

Hello lovely readers! This Friday I'll be reviewing A Mango Shaped Space, by Wendy Mass. I recommend reading it alone, with lots of tissue, room to roll on the floor laughing, and some hot chocolate.

Don't forget to check out my fabulous List of Books With Cats--comment and let me know if I've unintentionally left out your favorite!

Happy reading,
M. Gabrielle

Friday Spines List: Books With Cats

Hello, my lovely readers! Here's my first list (in no particular order) containing books with cats.

• Mango of A Mango-Shaped Space, by Wendy Mass
• Ratbag of Wee Free Men, by Terry Pratchett
• Buttercup of The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins
• Faithful of The Song of the Lioness Quartet, by Tamora Pierce
• Fat Louie of The Princess Diaries series, by Meg Cabot
• The Cheshire Cat of Alice in Wonderland, by Lewis Carrol
• Thistle of Gone-Away Lake, by Elizabeth Enright
• Richard Parker of Life of Pi, by Yann Martel
• Crookshanks of Harry Potter, by J. K. Rowling
• The Fat Black Cat of Hate That Cat, by Sharon Creech
• The Cat In The Hat of The Cat In The Hat by Dr. Seuss
• Asimov of The Penderwicks, by Jeanne Birdsall
• Harry Cat of The Cricket in Times Square, by George Selden

If I've missed any of your favorite books with a cat (even if the cat is just mentioned in passing) leave me a comment and let me know!

See you on Friday-happy reading,

M. Gabrielle