I am definitely going to read this book! This is so fascinating to think through. As a lover of strong internal arcs, it's no surprise that I would also love transformation stories. That also fits in with my former social work career. The makeover story is a strong fantasy but it doesn't have any power if it isn't paired with inward transformation.
Love this! The contrast between transforming to conform to society’s desirable standards vs transforming to become more true to yourself is really interesting.
This is fantastic Andrea. I feel sad that I didn’t come across The Charm School back when it first came out because this is exactly the kind of book I would have gobbled up. And I laughed out loud at your reading of She’s All That! This film is a My Fair Lady retelling, where the book is not (as per your distinction between make-over / transformation). But worth knowing that although MFL is based on the play Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw it glosses the ending - in the play, Eliza Doolittle doesn’t marry Professor Higgins and instead leaves him to live her own life. Shaw resisted considerable pressure to change the ending to give Eliza and Higgins an HEA. We can only assume that he would have loathed MFL - and I’m not even going to speculate on what he would have made of She’s All That.
Imagine if Zack spiffed Laney up and then went on his way! Of course, he doesn’t actually have a particular relevant skill, unlike professor Higgins. Did you read The Charm School yet?!
I am definitely going to read this book! This is so fascinating to think through. As a lover of strong internal arcs, it's no surprise that I would also love transformation stories. That also fits in with my former social work career. The makeover story is a strong fantasy but it doesn't have any power if it isn't paired with inward transformation.
That’s a great way to put it. Did you get a chance to read TCS yet?
Love this! The contrast between transforming to conform to society’s desirable standards vs transforming to become more true to yourself is really interesting.
Thanks Jess!
This is fantastic Andrea. I feel sad that I didn’t come across The Charm School back when it first came out because this is exactly the kind of book I would have gobbled up. And I laughed out loud at your reading of She’s All That! This film is a My Fair Lady retelling, where the book is not (as per your distinction between make-over / transformation). But worth knowing that although MFL is based on the play Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw it glosses the ending - in the play, Eliza Doolittle doesn’t marry Professor Higgins and instead leaves him to live her own life. Shaw resisted considerable pressure to change the ending to give Eliza and Higgins an HEA. We can only assume that he would have loathed MFL - and I’m not even going to speculate on what he would have made of She’s All That.
Imagine if Zack spiffed Laney up and then went on his way! Of course, he doesn’t actually have a particular relevant skill, unlike professor Higgins. Did you read The Charm School yet?!