The Modern Day Fairy Tale: You've probably heard of Penelope. The wealthy girl from a well-to-do family, with an enchanted bedroom, and some of the coolest clothes in the world. There's just one problem: She was born into a cursed family with the face of a pig.
From an ancient curse, the Wilhern family nervously awaited the day a daughter was born. After centuries of only male Wilhern's, finally Penelope was born, and the curse was true. She had the face of a pig. Well...actually just the nose of a pig. Her beautiful long brown hair and chocolate eyes were all normal and fine. The only way to break the curse is to find another blue-blooded man of her own kind to love her all of her days.
So with gag orders for everyone that enters the house, Penelope's parents and a matchmaker seek out to find the guy that won't run away from her snout. It doesn't go well. She's been locked up in her house her whole life to avoid a scandalized life, no contact with the outside world, and insecurities about her looks--which aren't even her looks, they're her great-great-great grandfather's fault.
Finally, Penelope leaves the nest, goes to the city and wears a scarf to avoid any speculation. She meets a few friends, sees the city and starts to enjoy her life. She becomes a celebrity, and in turn learns to love herself despite her mother's attempts to bring her down. After a thwarted wedding attempt to break the curse, Penelope stands up for herself--even if she has to live the rest of her life with a snout--and declares her freedom. The curse was misunderstood! You'll have to read it to find out how...
This novel is an awesome look into the insecurity so many teens and young adults have in their lives. Even without support from the people who really should love you the most, Penelope takes the reader on a journey to find herself, her real self who has been there all along. Everyone has something they'd like to change about themselves; Penelope learns that she's pretty great just the way she is.
This novel could be taught in the classroom, with a connection to classical texts or a genre unit for fairy tales or folklore. But I think it would serve best as an enjoyable fun-read. The novel is easy to read, funny, and a page turner of pure enjoyment.
Check out the video below for a look at the trailer to the movie:
3 comments:
I'm glad that I'm not the only one that used Wikipedia links. I can't wait to read this book and see the movie. Thanks for the review!
Even though this book might fall under a fantasy category it still provides young adults with glimpses into issues that many of them may have to deal with. I love your review! I think it is interesting to have a fairy tale that deals with teenage issues and struggles, very unique. I wanted to see the movie, but now I will read the book and then see the movie! Great job at explaining the plot and giving us a small glimpse at "Penelope."
Like Harry Potter- it is all fantastic in scope, but take away the magic, then you are left with a boy growing up at boarding school (LFA, A Separate Peace, The Catcher In the Rye [kind of]). I've definitely simplified everything, but you get the idea...I hope.
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