Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast
by Robin McKinley
I wasn’t expecting to like this book, since Beauty and the Beast really is a “tale as old as time” and so many people have tried to remake it with their own unique twist. Robin McKinley’s version was actually quite good.
Until the part of the classic story (not included in Disney’s version) when the father brings home gifts for each daughter, and Beauty asks for a rose, it’s not even clear this is a Beauty and the Beast remake. Beauty’s name isn’t even “Beauty”; it’s Honour, but she requests a different name when she’s a child, and her family calls her “Beauty” by her request. It’s a little twist, but I really like it, because at the core of her character is how she honors her promises.
Beauty’s family, her father and two sisters, as well as their suitors, and various members of the town, are all given a large chunk of the beginning of the story. It just feels like an old story where men are lost at sea and small town life is the only life anyone knows. I really like that introduction to the story; by the time the Beast shows up, it’s a truly frightening situation as it’s supposed to be—instead of just “Oo, this is a fairy tale I already know about!”
During Belle’s stay at the castle, McKinley paints a lovely picture of the scenery and enchantments—including invisible servants—so that once again, the reader can forget they’re reading a story they know well. In a way, this feels like it could have been the original tale, and all other adaptations were take-offs from it. This is really great book, famous fairy tale aside, so head on out and immerse yourself!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of the 1976 film Beauty and the Beast here!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of the 2017 film Beauty and the Beast here!
Until the part of the classic story (not included in Disney’s version) when the father brings home gifts for each daughter, and Beauty asks for a rose, it’s not even clear this is a Beauty and the Beast remake. Beauty’s name isn’t even “Beauty”; it’s Honour, but she requests a different name when she’s a child, and her family calls her “Beauty” by her request. It’s a little twist, but I really like it, because at the core of her character is how she honors her promises.
Beauty’s family, her father and two sisters, as well as their suitors, and various members of the town, are all given a large chunk of the beginning of the story. It just feels like an old story where men are lost at sea and small town life is the only life anyone knows. I really like that introduction to the story; by the time the Beast shows up, it’s a truly frightening situation as it’s supposed to be—instead of just “Oo, this is a fairy tale I already know about!”
During Belle’s stay at the castle, McKinley paints a lovely picture of the scenery and enchantments—including invisible servants—so that once again, the reader can forget they’re reading a story they know well. In a way, this feels like it could have been the original tale, and all other adaptations were take-offs from it. This is really great book, famous fairy tale aside, so head on out and immerse yourself!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of the 1976 film Beauty and the Beast here!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of the 2017 film Beauty and the Beast here!