The Gospel Cinderella by Joyce Carol Thomas

The Mother’s Ghost: il rapporto madre/figlia nelle riscritture postmoderne di Cenerentola Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters by John SteptoeĬendrillon by Robert D.1) Sabrina ABENI, University of L’Aquila, Italy “This unique twist on a classic subtly emphasizes the roots of gospel music, as a respite from hardship and sorrow.” – Publishers WeeklyĬheck out these other multi-cultural Cinderella variants It creates a tone of beauty and peacefulness as they share their song. The curvy font and swirling motion of the songs coming from Cinderella and Queen Mother Rhythm’s mouth allow the readers to hear the words that they share. The colors chosen to embellish Cinderella’s hair throughout the book makes her pop off the page and give her a royal look as it connects her with Queen Mother Rhythm. The bright colors and use of greens and blues around the swamp paint the perfect picture for the southern swamp setting. Queen Mother Rhythm takes forefront looking for her replacement as leader of the Great Gospel Choir.ĭavid Diaz’s illustrations are vibrant and bold. Female characters take the lead in this version as the Prince of Music in this story is a minor character. Cinderella uses her talents to get her wish of being in the gospel choir in contrast with the traditional fairy tale of relying on Prince Charming to rescue her. Thomas’ southern Cinderella isn’t looking forward to a ball but the chance to audition at the Great Gospel Convention to become the next leader of Great Gospel Choir. In The Gospel Cinderella, Joyce Carol Thomas creates a southern variant of the well-known classic Cinderella story. Cinderella took her place next to Queen Mother Rhythm and began to lead the Great Gospel Choir. After much searching, the Prince of Music and Royal Runners found the golden voice and brought her back to Queen Mother Rhythm. During the convention, the evil twins did not meet the standards of Queen Mother Rhythm and from the back of the room sweet tunes could be heard from Cinderella, but she ran away. As word got out that Queen Mother Rhythm was retiring and looking for a replacement at the Great Gospel Convention, Crooked Foster Mother made Cinderella teach the evil twins how to sing. As years passed, she was forced to cook and clean for Crooked Foster Mother and the evil twins but always completed her chores singing and humming.

On the far side of the swamp, Crooked Foster Mother found the baby and named her Cinderella because she was” dirty as a cinder pile” from her journey down the swamp.

Queen Mother Rhythm, leader of the Great Gospel Choir, searched weeks and months for her daughter to no avail. Set in a southern swamp, Queen Mother Rhythm’s daughter is swept downriver by a sudden hurricane. The Gospel Cinderella is a southern spin on the traditional Cinderella.

The Gospel Cinderella by Joyce Carol Thomas