In a message dated 13/11/2004 15:32:47 GMT Standard Time, Nicky writes: >Perhaps I'm just very dull (and I wouldn't deny accusations of humdrummity) but even as a child I preferred Petrova and Myra Forum and Ginny Bell (and Paul whose singing voice was like a nutmeg grater) and I would have hated for them to have developed unlikely talents. I don't want my heroes and heroines to win through because they are talentedbut because they are persistent and clever (thus Klaus is my favourite Baudelaire because he has neither sharp teeth, nor a talent for cookery of invention, but simply works hard at reading). I guess that's why I've just never really liked fantasy even when it doesn't involve magic.<
I think it's de gustibus, really - I love fantasy, and if you're implying that the Cinderella theme is fantasy, I'm sure you're right. What tickled me was not just Rachel being a fine actor (and why is this unlikely? NS tells us that her dead father was a fine actor; she's good at English, sensitive and responsive, loves Shakespeare, is given extra work and learning-by-heart by wotserhame, the governess (the book is approx. three yards away, but I'm lazy), and so on - blimey, what a parenthesis), but the kick-in-the-face it gives to the wicked stepmother and ugly sister (well, ugly in character). I agree, actually, about liking Myra and Petrova, but this is surely not just for psychological reasons, so to speak, but because NS is working from her own memories of being the odd one out, the one who, though she desperately wanted her parents' approval, never seemed to have it; and therefore we are constantly led to identify with these characters. The epitome of this type is Ginny, of course, but one can see it right from her earliest work (Tanya, in 'The Whicharts' is the prototype of Petrova). Come to think of it, Petrova has a huge talent; just not in the entertainment industry. It's surely a theme running through much of her work, and, I'd argue, through all of her best work, that of the outsider, the Ugly Duckling, who makes good in some way. That way is frequently through discovering a talent; but even so, NS never hides the hard work. I think you're a little dismissive about Rachel, who has been working at her talent - see parenthesis above; but is it that different from Lala and Harriet, except that Lala isn't a monster and Harriet's talent is revealed more gradually? It's still the role-reversal. Sue -- ________________________________________ Girlsown mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] For self-administration and access to archives see http://home.it.net.au/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/girlsown For FAQs see http://www.club-web.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/girlsown/faq-0.htm
