1. Bibliography
Louie, Ai-Ling. 1982. Yeh-Shen: a cinderella story from china. Ill. by Ed Young. New York: Philomel Books. ISBN 0399612033
2. Plot Summary
The Chinese variant of Cinderella appears to have been the original Cinderella according to an author's note in the beginning of the book. The story appears in a book dated from the T'ang dynasty in the years 618-907 A.D., far predating the European retellings of the story which appear in the 1600s.
Louie retells the story of the beautiful Yeh-Shen, an orphan living in Southern China in "the dim past, even before the Ch'in and Han dynasties." As the story goes, she is mistreated and abused by her stepmother and ugly stepsister. Her stepmother even kills her pet fish and cooks it for dinner. However, Yeh-Shen is told by a weary old man that the bones of her fish hold magical powers, and that she should pray to them in time of need. Yeh-Shen does just that and is awarded with golden-soled slippers and a beautiful cloak of feathers to wear to the spring festival to meet a husband.
As anticipated, she runs away from the festival for fear of being recognized and loses a golden slipper. The slipper is recovered and sold to a merchant who shows it to the king. He leaves the slipper outside to see whose tiny foot will fit into it. Yeh-Shen sneaks outside to recover her slipper, and king is able to see her in her beautiful feathered cloak. Yeh-Shen is married to the king and her stepmother and stepsister remain in their cave where they are killed by a cave-in.
3. Analysis
Knowing that the Chinese variant of the traditional Cinderella story could be the original one makes this retelling seem somewhat more authentic than other variants. Louie's retelling is simply written in traditional Chinese block style and beautifully illustrated by Young with pastels and watercolor. The graceful drawings illuminate the story in shades of green, blue, yellow, and red and show a deep admiration for Chinese heritage. The fish being the magical element in the story further embraces the Chinese culture in that fish represent prosperity. The conclusion of the stepsister and stepmother being killed is not written in a violent or threatening manner and should not frighten children away. In fact, it gives the story a closed ending that leaves no stone unturned and supports the theme of good triumphing over evil. This story is a delightful and essential addition to the Cinderella tradition.
4. Review Excerpts
Publisher's Weekly - "Misty, jewel-like illustrations evoke the mythic past in this Chinese Cinderella story."
Booklist - "A misty dreamlike air. A worthwhile addition to picture-book collections."
ALA Notable Children's Book
School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
5. Connections
*Compare and contrast Yeh-Shen to other Cinderella variants such as:
Cinderella, or The Little Glass Slipper by Marcia Brown ISBN 9780689814747
The Egyptian Cinderella by Shirley Climo ISBN 9780064432795
The Persian Cinderella by Shirley Climo ISBN 9780064438537
Cendrillon by Robert D. San Souci ISBN 9782914692281
*Research Chinese culture and heritage and relate the findings to the story of Yeh-Shen
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