"YOU SHALL BE ORDINARY."So proclaimed the fairy Crustacea at the christening of Her Serene Royal Highness, Amethyst Alexandra Augusta Araminta Adelaide Aurelia Anne.
And ordinary she was. With mousy brown hair, a turned-up nose and freckles, Princess Amy was nothing like her six blonde, beautiful princess sisters. She was so ordinary in fact that no prince could be found to marry her.
But that didn't bother Amy. Who wanted to marry a stuffy old prince, anyway? Amy had other ideas about how to spend her life. Like running off to the forest.....and an enchanting adventure all her own.
“The Ordinary Princess” by M.M.Kaye was written, as the author claims in her foreword, “many moons ago under an apple tree in an orchard in Kent, which is one of England's prettiest countries”, and is an enchanting fairy tale, with a bit of a twist. As a child, this was one of my favourite books, along with “Pollyanna” by Eleanor H Porter and “Ella Enchanted” by Gail Carson Levine.
“The Ordinary Princess” is the story of the seventh daughter of the great-great-great grandson of Sleeping Beauty, the King Hulderbrand of Phantasmorania and his Queen Rodehesia, Princess Amethyst, or Amy, as everyone begins to call her. On the day of her christening, along with such gifts as Wit, Charm, Courage, Wisdom, Health, and Grace from other fairies, Princess Amy receives an unusual gift from the fairy Crustacea: Ordinariness.
And ordinary she is, gawky, snub-nosed and freckled, with mouse-colored hair, and absolutely no interest in “princessy” occupations such as playing the harp, embroidering tapestries.....or becoming a Queen. Her mother tries everything to make Amy a stunning beauty, but with no success. One by one her six sisters, with their blue eyes and blonde hair, marry, and then it is Amy's turn, but no one wants an ordinary princess, no matter how charming or courageous.
When the Lord High Chamberlain suggests renting a dragon to attract suitors, Amy is outraged. She decides to run away and live in the forest with her friends Mr. Pemberthy and Peter Aurelious (a squirrel and a crow!). But staying in the woods does not hold well with keeping one’s clothes from becoming tattered. So she finds work as the fourteen assistant kitchen maid in the castle at Ambergeldar, the neighboring kingdom, doing dishes, peeling potatoes and whatnot. There she meets Peregrine, a remarkable young man, “ordinary” like herself.
As for what comes next, find out yourself.
No erudite or confusing tome, this. It has been written in such a simple and straightforward manner that anyone can comprehend it. The book completely captures your imagination. A quick read at 128 pages, and well worth your time.
thus spake Pollyanna @ 8:26 pm
Footprints: 11
