Ella Enchanted

By: Gail Carson Levine

Narrated by: Eden Riegel

Length: 5 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

"That fool of a fairy Lucinda did not intend to lay a curse on me. She meant to bestow a gift. When I cried inconsolably through my first hour of life, my tears were her inspiration. Shaking her head sympathetically at Mother, the fairy touched my nose. 'My gift is obedience. Ella will always be obedient. Now stop crying, child.' I stopped."

So begins this richly entertaining story of Ella of Frell, who wants nothing more than to be free of Lucinda's gift and feel that she belongs to herself. For how can she truly belong to herself if she knows that at any time, anyone can order her to hop on one foot, cut off her hand, or betray her kingdom, and she'll have to obey?

Against a bold tapestry of princes, ogres, giants, wicked stepsisters and fairy godmothers, Ella's spirited account of her quest to break the curse is a funny, poignant and enchanting tale about an unforgettable heroine who is determined to be herself.

Ella Enchanted is a 1998 Newbery Medal Honor Book and a major motion picture.

©1998 Gail Carson Levine (P)1998 Random House, Inc., Listening Library, An Imprint of Random House Audio Publishing Group

Critic reviews

Newbery Honor Book, 1998

"Eden Riegel's high, childlike voice is the consummate match for this first-person narrative. Her sweet-voiced Ella, under the dominion of a vulgar stepmother and duplicitous stepsisters, reveals the gift of obedience (from fairy Lucinda) to be a scourge that only someone of Ella's sensitivity and intelligence would have the means to outwit. Riegel's smooth delivery of the exotic languages of the elves, gnomes, giants, and ogres enhances the fantasy element while occasional interludes of music add to the medieval air of the story. A lively and satisfying reading of the 1998 Newbery Honor Book." (AudioFile magazine)

"A winning combination of memorable characters and an alluring fantasy realm." (Publishers Weekly) "A high-spirited, comic first novel." (The New York Times Book Review)

Be careful what you wish for

This is an utterly charming book. The premise is pretty well known by now: what happens if you are under a spell that compels you to do whatever anyone else orders you to do? Surely most of us have wished we could compel obedience at one time or another. Levine works out the consequences of this within the framework of the Cinderella story. There is a sufficient amount of silliness to hold the interest of young people. But there are also undercurrents of deep seriousness and sadness, which gives the book an interest to not-so-young people as well. I don't know that the law of unintended consequences was ever so well presented in a work of fiction.

My favorite childhood book just got better

I've always loved this book, but the narrator really helped it shine! The way she handled all the languages sounded comfortable and natural.

Creative and witty

Great story for all ages. Creative storyline and entertaining to listen to. A must read.

one of my favorites

this is one of my favorite stories from when I was young, I've listened to it countless times. admittedly I liked the readers voice much better when I was a little girl myself but I still think it is appropriate for the story and that she does a really wonderful job, although she does sound very young. the story itself is my favorite version of Cinderella and is so much better than the movie version that is only very loosely based on this wonderful book. of course this is a book written for kids and the sorry is not overly complex but at least it has very few of the conventional tropes and features a willful and smart heroine who saves herself and everyone else. I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a great kids book or anyone looking for a simple, sweet story.

The Best Book Ever

This is my absolute favorite book in the history of books! I disagree with everyone who is criticizing the narrator, she was fabulous, and the kid-like voice makes sense because Ella is a child. The plot is so amazing and intriguing! I have read this novel at least 5 times and the audiobook at least twice as much! Definitely a favorite!

Put off at first by voice, but the book is awesome

My only complaint is that the voice was really young sounding, which through me off at first. But I've always loved this book and the words of Carson Levine prevail, reagardless of who's reading it.

A favorite from years ago, listening to with my kids!

Love this story but the narrator was too young. It got a bit awkward at the end when she sounded 6.. but the story is so much fun

amazing!!

I finished in 3 days I loved it alot, it was great and good and ya

Like chicken soup for the soul

I have loved this book since I was a child. I come back to it whenever I need a comforting tale. It is well written and well read. Ella is a smart, spunky, strong, willful heroine. Her story is about finding and fighting for free will. It’s a fun, beautiful, unique take on the classic Cinderella tale. A wonderful coming of age story. I cannot recommend it enough.

loved it

Still one of my favorites. The movie is so wrong! worth listening to, especially for younger girls!