Princess Ben by Catherine Gilbert Murdock

Princess Ben is a semi-interesting take on both being a princess and fairytales. Ben herself isn’t the typical fairytale princess and has a rather abrupt ascension to actually having to act like one. The fairytale aspects show up now and again, but also permeate the narrative fully. Never felt like we stepped out of that realm and into our style of reality.

I find it somewhat infuriating that Ben’s princess lessons did not include matters of state. On the one hand: sexism. On the other: she’s heir apparent and should really have some schooling in matters of state as opposed to the needlework she’s clearly crap at. This is especially frustrating as Queen Sofia is running the country and is also female so… ya know, gotta love that double standard.

That’s not really the point of the story. The point, I think, is Ben finding herself as a princess. Figuring out who she wants to be as a person after losing her parents. Ben’s not super clever, nor stupid, just a girl with this weight put on her suddenly. It doesn’t help that the adults around her give her no time to mourn nor actually take any interest in her aside from molding her into who they want her to be. It’s entirely reasonable that Ben would act out the way she did.

I was amused by the magic book and its refusal to allow Ben to learn any more unless the room was completely clean. I do wonder if she ever went back to finish that particular job… it’s not mentioned in the coda. Anyway, it’s clear Ben knows exactly what she needs to know from the book anyway.

The ending was alright. Everything’s ostensibly tied up with bows even though nothing is absolutely perfect forever. That message was a fairly nice one to have included, even if it’s overshadowed by the bows.

I’m not really sure there’s much more I can say about Princess Ben. It was an enjoyable, mostly rollicking adventure.