Book Review 

Cendrillon: A Caribbean Cinderella, by Robert D. San Souci, was published in 1998

   The Caribbean Cinderella story by Souci, kept the original plot of Cinderella. One big aspect of the story was the theme of kindness. A girl who was abused by her step mother, but the girl always remained kind hearted. Cinderella goes to a ball where she will meet her prince, they will get married and live happily ever after. The difference between this tale and other Cinderella stories is that Souci doesn’t tell the story from a narrator’s or Cinderella’s point of view. This whole story was said through Cendrillon’s godmother’s point of view. 

   The beginning of Cendrillon, starts with the background story of her godmother, who is not named. The godmother became an orphan, and was given a magic wand when her mother died. With this wand, the godmother helps Cendrillon get to the ball in a beautiful dress and slippers. 

   The other characters in this story are Cendrillon’s father, mother, stepmother, stepsister, and the prince. Cendrillon’s mother passed away in the beginning of the story and her father doesn’t play a big role, just like the original story. The most abuse came from the stepmother, who made Cendrillon work from a very young age. Unlike the original story, Cendrillon has one stepsister instead of two, and she also bullies Cendrillon. The prince of this story is Paul, he isn’t an actual prince, but is very handsome and well spoken, so he is compared like a prince. 

   Kindness plays a big role in this story. Just like other Cinderella stories, Cendrillon always remains kind to the people around her. She replied to unfair treatment with undeserved consideration. It’s obvious that kindness is the main theme of the story.

   Now, the writing of this story is told through the godmother’s point of view. Souci did a very good job of giving the readers vivid details. The readers would almost feel like they are sitting around the godmother, and she is telling them the story of Cendrillon. Souci also uses different food and animals to show the readers the Caribbean side of the story. For example, instead of a pumpkin, Cendrillon uses a breadfruit as a chariot. And instead of mice, lizards became the servants of Cendrillon. Souci also used some words in Creole to represent the Caribbean Cinderella, he also described the dress and jewelry worn by Cendrillon as traditional Caribbean clothing and accessories. Cendrillon is a Cinderella story, it wasn’t supposed to be very different from the original, and Souci did keep the plot while making some changes. Overall, the details and storytelling by the author was great.

   Cendrillon: A Caribbean Cinderella shows good versus bad, and how kindness can give you luck in changing your life. Cendrillon was hardworking and kind, her godmother saw what type of person she was and helped her achieve something wonderful.

   Personally, I really enjoyed the story of Cerdillon. Although it may seem repetitive of the original Cinderella story, Souci gave the readers a different perspective of the story and different details. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a new and different Cinderella story.

Rhetorical Analysis

   The story of Cinderella talks about an upper class girl who is forced to do chores and work as a servant, until she marries a prince and lives a new life of luxury; while leaving her old life of misery. 

   The theme that is shown in Cinderella, good versus evil, and kindness will always help bring better luck into your life. Cendrillon is shown to be very kind til the end of the story and she ends up being very fortunate at the end. 

   Robert D. San Souci wanted a specific audience for the story of Cendrillon. It’s obvious the story was meant for little girls who live in the Caribbean areas. There hasn’t been another Cinderella story that had a Caribbean background. Souci made a purpose to create a Cinderella story for girls in the Caribbean to read. For a girl to read about a princess from the same background and environment, they are more likely to enjoy the story and be influenced by it. The story of Cendrillon will help girls from the Caribbean help follow the theme of being kind. 

   Overall, the story of Cendrillon was made for little girls in the Caribbean so they can connect with the story, and be kind like Cendrillon.