I enjoyed this book. I recommend approaching it with no expectations, either of the story (try to forget it is supposed to be a "Cinderella" story) or of the author (don't compare it to "Wicked"). Leaving those expectations aside, you may find that you enjoy an unexpected setting, Holland, for a story that compares different types of beauty and plainness. You may also come to realize how preconceived our ideas sometimes are about fables and legends, and learn to look behind the familiar facades.

If you were to read one Gregory Maguire book...read Wicked. I was greatly dissapointed after reading this book. Unlike Wicked, this book did not keep my attention. I found it hard to continue reading. Mr. Maguire's style of writing did not allow me to easily follow the characters and their journey. I was never able to "get into the story." THere was too much going on in each sentence.

A positive note: The characters themselves were interesting and third-dimensional. The different take on the Disney version of Cinderella is fun to see. I like the twist on each of the characters' personalities.

I recommend the book, so the reader can experience a different Cinderella world. But I would receommend Wicked over this fairy tale.

I have not read this author’s previous book, so I did not have any preconceived notions and read this like I would any book. I found it very hard going and I'm a fast and voracious reader. Weeks later and I still haven’t been able to finish this book.

I really liked this book and look forward to reading more of this author. It gave Cinderella a real world setting and made me wonder why even today a person's goodness or worth is usually measured by their good looks or lack of.

The most of the members of the book group liked The Confessions on an Ugly Stepsister and the focus of our discussion was attributes of the characters in the book.

I had a great time reading this book and think Greg Maguire is an interesting author. I'm not positive how much discussion could come from it, but it's definitely worth the read.

Is beauty an affliction? Does it get in the way of the development of the soul? Why do humans equate beauty with good and ugliness with evil so readily? These are all questions that "Confessions" explores, with a deft and subtle hand. Beautifully written, and a wonderful jumping off point for many areas of discussion. "Wicked" is good fun, but "Confessions" is, in my humble opinion, Gregory Maguire's masterpiece.

The group liked this book overall. We mostly agreed to some weakness in the writing but felt that after the first 1/3, the book really picked up. We had an active discussion and several members were inspired to read more of this author\\\\\\\'s books.