My name is Colette and I wanted to spend most of this letter writing about how much I loved your book, Ella Enchanted, and the rest about the inspiration it brought me. I read it for the first time this summer, I’m 18, and yet the emotional intensity of the book took hold of me, I am also a very BIG crybaby. Char and Ella’s romance is probably one of the most beautiful romances I have seen in a long time, seeing the love blossom between them from a young age through their letters is so intimate and pure, and the layers of torture Ella puts herself through in order to protect the one she truly loves is beautiful.
The scenes, I feel, that are very important, and I am very sad it wasn’t in the movie, is the scene with the magic mushrooms and the scene where Lucinda commands her to be happy. It isn’t enough that her body is constantly controlled without her consent, but her emotions are corrupted to become ‘easier’ to handle and manipulate, both times I was broken. And even more, that her dad doesn’t care what pain he puts his daughter through, as long as he’s powerful and in control.
My favorite scene is at the very end, when Ella breaks the curse. Her internal strife is so well written out, I could feel the terror scraping through my skin as Ella fights and fights for Char. I’m an actress and songwriter, so I took that chapter of the book and turned it into a monologue. I also wrote a song about Ella’s conflict when writing the letter and refusing Char’s love to protect him: believing “she’s just a curse to his blessed ever after”, one of the lines I wrote.
I would love to show them to you if you’re at all interested! If not, I understand you are busy! I hope you have a beautiful rest of your day.
- Colette
Hi Mrs. Levine!
My sister and I love and enjoy sharing your books. Ella Enchanted was my favorite book in third grade. I still enjoy it over a decade later. The Two Princesses of Bamarre was one of the first books to make me cry. Writing Magic and Writer to Writer have shaped the way I view writing and have been huge blessings to me. Most of all, my younger sister and I love to laugh with the Biddle Princess Tales.
It did not occur to me to write to you until now. I remember reading your note that you wrote "Ever" to grapple with the horror and tragedy of human sacrifice after reading about Japhthah (who acted against what God says against human sacrifice while trying to serve him). My pastor talked about it this week. (https://youtu.be/KncvgfL1x-c?si=29oD4xVn0cNZlwkk). I do not expect you to watch it; I just wanted to share that I enjoyed his talk and I thought of you and your story.
I am glad I am able to write to you because of this!
You have been an amazing gift to me and to my family as I share your stories. Your books have shaped my ideas of fantasy, humor, good stories, and good writing.
Thank you!
Sylvia Wagner
# 3042 -
Sylvia Wagner
08/02/2026 -
20:54 -
City: -
State: California -
Country: United States
Dear Mrs. Levine,
This is Eden again, and I wanted to tell you that I finished Fairest! I loved it! My mom and I are listening to it on audiobook too! Can't wait to start another one of your books soon! Hope you are well and continuing to write!
Last night, I had the absolute joy of finishing reading Ella Enchanted to my six year old daughter. I first entered the world of Frell when I was in sixth grade over 25 years ago. I have reread this wonderful book each year since. This time, however, was much more special because I got to share it with her.
Together, we held each other when when Ella lost her mother, laughed when she took Hattie’s wig, gasped when Lucinda turned herself into a squirrel, and cried “happy tears” (in her words) at the moment Ella joyously breaks her curse to save Char. Being able to share the story of strong, determined, independent, and resilient Ella with my daughter has meant more to me than I can say. I had to let you know how grateful I am to you for writing one of my favorite stories and characters. This book has always held a special place in my heart, even now more than ever. Thank you, thank you, thank you from both of us.
Sincerely,
Hope and Marian
# 3040 -
Hope Sullivan
06/29/2026 -
13:18 -
City: Tucson -
State: AZ -
Country: United States
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My name is Colette and I wanted to spend most of this letter writing about how much I loved your book, Ella Enchanted, and the rest about the inspiration it brought me. I read it for the first time this summer, I’m 18, and yet the emotional intensity of the book took hold of me, I am also a very BIG crybaby. Char and Ella’s romance is probably one of the most beautiful romances I have seen in a long time, seeing the love blossom between them from a young age through their letters is so intimate and pure, and the layers of torture Ella puts herself through in order to protect the one she truly loves is beautiful.
The scenes, I feel, that are very important, and I am very sad it wasn’t in the movie, is the scene with the magic mushrooms and the scene where Lucinda commands her to be happy. It isn’t enough that her body is constantly controlled without her consent, but her emotions are corrupted to become ‘easier’ to handle and manipulate, both times I was broken. And even more, that her dad doesn’t care what pain he puts his daughter through, as long as he’s powerful and in control.
My favorite scene is at the very end, when Ella breaks the curse. Her internal strife is so well written out, I could feel the terror scraping through my skin as Ella fights and fights for Char. I’m an actress and songwriter, so I took that chapter of the book and turned it into a monologue. I also wrote a song about Ella’s conflict when writing the letter and refusing Char’s love to protect him: believing “she’s just a curse to his blessed ever after”, one of the lines I wrote.
I would love to show them to you if you’re at all interested! If not, I understand you are busy! I hope you have a beautiful rest of your day.
- Colette
My sister and I love and enjoy sharing your books. Ella Enchanted was my favorite book in third grade. I still enjoy it over a decade later. The Two Princesses of Bamarre was one of the first books to make me cry. Writing Magic and Writer to Writer have shaped the way I view writing and have been huge blessings to me. Most of all, my younger sister and I love to laugh with the Biddle Princess Tales.
It did not occur to me to write to you until now. I remember reading your note that you wrote "Ever" to grapple with the horror and tragedy of human sacrifice after reading about Japhthah (who acted against what God says against human sacrifice while trying to serve him). My pastor talked about it this week. (https://youtu.be/KncvgfL1x-c?si=29oD4xVn0cNZlwkk). I do not expect you to watch it; I just wanted to share that I enjoyed his talk and I thought of you and your story.
I am glad I am able to write to you because of this!
You have been an amazing gift to me and to my family as I share your stories. Your books have shaped my ideas of fantasy, humor, good stories, and good writing.
Thank you!
Sylvia Wagner
This is Eden again, and I wanted to tell you that I finished Fairest! I loved it! My mom and I are listening to it on audiobook too! Can't wait to start another one of your books soon! Hope you are well and continuing to write!
Your friend - Eden
Last night, I had the absolute joy of finishing reading Ella Enchanted to my six year old daughter. I first entered the world of Frell when I was in sixth grade over 25 years ago. I have reread this wonderful book each year since. This time, however, was much more special because I got to share it with her.
Together, we held each other when when Ella lost her mother, laughed when she took Hattie’s wig, gasped when Lucinda turned herself into a squirrel, and cried “happy tears” (in her words) at the moment Ella joyously breaks her curse to save Char. Being able to share the story of strong, determined, independent, and resilient Ella with my daughter has meant more to me than I can say. I had to let you know how grateful I am to you for writing one of my favorite stories and characters. This book has always held a special place in my heart, even now more than ever. Thank you, thank you, thank you from both of us.
Sincerely,
Hope and Marian