Before Midnight

Before Midnight is written amazedly by Cameron Dorky. This fantasy is the retold tail of Cinderella which is part of a whole group of retold classic fairy tails. Now don't think you've heard Cinderella's story plenty times before and that you don't need to read Before Midnight. Because you should. Dorky takes it and puts a whole new spin to it. In the traditional story Cinderella's father has died, but in Dorky's version he has just simply left. Cameron Dorky is a fantastic author who has written many other books. As I mentioned before, Before Midnight is part of a whole group of twisted fairy tails. Dorky and a few other authors have gotten together to rewrite and change all the classic fairy tails. This is just one of many great books I have had the privilege to read.

This book starts at the beginning, with the birth of the main character. On the eave of the new baby's birth a multiple of signs occurred. One of the many signs is when the wind whirls down all the chimneys in the house distinguishing all of the fires. Sadly the baby girl's mother dies in childbirth and is unable to give her a name. The nurse mary who will end up raising the child names her after her mother, Constanze. When the old Nurse mary nestles the baby by the coals to keep her warm, all of the fires suddenly ignite. That is how Constanze got the nickname La Cendrillon, or child of cinders.

Now you may be thinking that her name is supposed to be Cinderella, but that is not so in this version of the story. Any how, back to the story.

When Cendrillon's father finds out about the death of his wife, he blames it on his infant daughter. In his grief, he wishes to never see her again and leaves the manor in anger. Cendrillon grows to be a fine young lady along side a boy who has no idea about his past.

You're probably wondering who this boy is, let me explain.

When Cendrillon's father came back to the house seeking his wife, he brings a baby boy. No one knows who or where he came from. When Cendrillon's father leaves, he leaves the boy in the care of the nurse mary. A few days after Cendrillon's 16th birthday, three strange women arrive at the manor. It turns out that they are Cendrillon's new step mother and sisters.

This is finally when the original story of Cinderella creeps in. Cendrillon becomes a maid in her own household because she is too afraid to tell her step mother and sisters who she really is. Then one day the invitation to the ball arrives.

The rest of the story sort of follows the original story but with some unexpected turns and twists. I personally loved the book and recommend it to any one who takes interest. However at some parts I wondered how it was going to be like Cinderella at all in the end, but it mostly pulled through. For instance, There were 2 possible boys Cendrillon could end up with even before she met any prince. Plus, Cendrillon actually ended up having a good relationship with her step mother and two step sisters. Also Cendrillon gets kidnapped by her own father! but you'll have to read the book to find out how that ended up.

I think Before Midnight was definitely entertaining as well as memorable. It was interesting to see how much Dorky could twist the classic fairy tail of Cinderella, but still be able to recognize it as the same story. The one confusing part of the whole story is when Cendrillon's father changed his heart, and let go of all the hurt and anger, then suddenly disappeared out of the story. All in all I liked the out come of this book. Every one gets their happily ever after and all the girls get their guys.