Book Review -- The Rough-Face Girl (Module 2)

Cinderella Variant

1. Bibliography

Martin, Rafe. THE ROUGH-FACE GIRL. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1992. ISBN 0399218559.

2. Plot Summary

This version of Cinderella, derived from the folklore of the Algonquin Indians of Lake Ontario, tells of a village where there lives a mysterious man, or being, described as a “very great, rich, powerful and supposedly handsome Invisible Being.” Only his sister can see him; to all others, a clear sighting of him is elusive. To marry this Invisible Being is a wish of many women in the village, but his sister makes it plain that “Only the one who can see him can marry him.” As with other variants of the Cinderella theme, two beautiful sisters are cruel to the third kind and timid sister, while their father does nothing to prevent this. Once again, it is virtue that triumphs in the end.

3. Critical Analysis

In the Author’s Note in the beginning of this book, the author (Martin) purports that Cinderella tales illustrate the cross-cultural wish “[t]o see good rewarded and evil punished…” As with many variations of morality tales, the characters in The Rough-Face Girl are one-dimensional. The cruel sisters are shown as consistently selfish women without mercy, and the rough-face girl never appears to resent her lot – she remains perpetually kind and humble. The father, in his failure to administer justice, represents indifference and weakness. The characters are representational as concepts of good and evil, rather than flesh-and-blood people. With this approach, this story from the Algonquin culture emphasizes a greater value placed on spirituality than physical beauty.

This story deals with the concept of an “Invisible Being.” Nearly every illustration by David Shannon retains that mysterious quality in some way. Darkness, Shadowy figures, and faces either partially covered by hair or turned away from the reader are some of the methods Shannon uses to denote mystery. The illustrations of the Invisible Being as a man made out of a cloud or made out of a constellation compliment the spiritual emphasis of this story. Shannon’s most powerful illustration is used for the book cover. It depicts the rough-face girl, silhouetted by darkness, covering her face with both hands, hiding herself, despairing, peeking out at the reader with one fearful eye.

This story provides an interesting Cinderella variant and a glimpse into the culture of the Algonquin Indians. One concept that might require some further research and explanation occurs when the two cruel sisters set out to marry the Invisible Being in cooperation with each other, rather than in competition with each other. They are questioned at the same time, as though it is a collaborative effort. This seems to imply both women would marry him simultaneously. Not enough information is provided within the story itself to determine if polygamy was an accepted custom for the Algonquin Indians. If so, this concept would have to be explained. Additionally, when the rough-face girl decides to seek out the Invisible Being to marry, there is no explanation for her sudden courage and conviction where cruelty had kept her in bondage to her sisters her entire life. A sudden, decisive outburst of this kind seems a bit out of character with this gap left in the story. Still, the story is thought-provoking.

4. Review Exert(s)

Publisher’s Weekly review: “Shannon (How Many Spots Does a Leopard Have?) paints powerful, stylized figures and stirring landscapes, heightening their impact with varied use of mist, shadows and darkness.”

School Library Journal review: “Another in the recent succession of Cinderella stories, The Rough-Face Girl begs for comparison with Princess Furball (Greenwillow, 1989), Tattercoats (Putnam, 1989), Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters (Lothrop, 1987), Moss Gown (Clarion, 1987), etc., and will provide both entertainment and a cultural lesson..”

Kirkus review: "...Martin's retelling is spare and understated, but never dry; the two sisters are richly comic figures, the climax and ending uncontrived yet magically romantic..."

Awards:
Winner of multiple awards including:

1993 IRA Teacher's Choice Award
1993 Association of Booksellers for Children Booksellers' Choice Award
1994 Golden Sower Award

5. Connections

This book could be used to compare and contrast Cinderella variants. After reading other stories utilizing the Cinderella formula, it could be used for a basis for children to write their own Cinderella variant.