When I googled the book, to get a picture of it, I ran across the site below &, although I haven't read any other of McKinley's books, I couldn't agree with the comment more. I know that my sisters may disagree, but I found it to be quite predictable - maybe even dull. I was looking for a different spin on the classic story line, but pondering this I think I might have read this book as a teen. Which could account for it seeming so transparent to me. Anyway, I'm looking forward to hearing from you.
Happy reading,
Sarah
Found at: http://www.rambles.net/mckinley_beauty.html
Retelling old fairy tales with new twists seems to be one of the most lucrative writing ventures available at present. And while nothing can substitute for good writing, the success of Terri Windling's Fairy Tale series proves that the market is out there. Robin McKinley must have realized this years ago, as shown by her first novel, Beauty, a retelling of the story of Beauty and the Beast. While the novel is well-written and fleshed out, there was nothing in it that shed new light on the story of a young woman kept in the Beast's castle until she agrees to marry him.
McKinley does, however, stray from the original fairy tale portrait of Beauty. In this version, Beauty was born the youngest of three sisters, respectively named Grace, Hope and Honour. At an early age, though, Beauty's precociousness earns her the nickname "Beauty," which sticks despite its apparent inappropriateness. Beauty would prefer reading Greek tragedies and riding horses to courting beaus, which helps her adjust to her new lifestyle once her father's merchant business goes under and the family is forced to move to the country. From here, of course, McKinley's tale follows the original, with few additions or embellishments.
Despite McKinley's adherence to the original story, Beauty is full of evocative descriptions and interesting tidbits. One of my favorites, however, was also one of the things that slightly irritated me about the novel. The Beast's library, full of magic, possessed thousands of books that hadn't even been written yet. But Beauty's penchant for King Arthur legends and Spenser's Fairy Queene seemed like too much an intrusion of the author's preferences.
The relationships among Beauty and her sisters and father are well-developed and believable, and the story, told from Beauty's point of view, possesses a strong narrative voice. Despite these characteristics, Beauty doesn't possess the originality of McKinley's second retelling of the original tale, Rose Daughter. Readers who are looking for retellings of fairy tales might want to read Beauty, especially if they are fans of McKinley's work, but her later attempts (Rose Daughter and Deerskin, to name a couple) deserve more attention.
[ by Audrey M. Clark ]
4 comments:
Ok, I'll start. I loved Beauty. I also have to agree with Sarah that there really wasn't anything new in it. I did love that the story started off with Beauty as the youngest of 3 daughters, which how the original (centuries old) story went. I loved the writing in the book and LOVED the library section with all the books that had not been written. To obsessed readers I think this was like a dream come true that Beauty got. I think the best thing about the book is Beauty herself. She's no Disney Princess, that's for sure! She has an attitude about certain things and is a very interesting character. I have to disagree with the reviewer on one other thing - I didn't like Rose Daughter nearly as much as Beauty. I don't think it gave a spin on the story at all, so it wouldn't provide any additional insights. Spindle's End (Sleeping Beauty) was excellent, as were her 2 original novels The Hero and the Crown and The Blue Sword. These were excellent and you don't already know the storyline, so you might like them better. McKinley is super descriptive, so it sometimes takes a couple of chapters to get used to her writing, but it's wonderful. I will now end my Saga. ;)
I will have to agree...with both of you--I loved reading Beauty. It was a great book (especially for elementary age kids) that put a different spin on what we are used to seeing in Disney. Very creative, but nothing new...i read this almost 5 years ago, so I don't have too much to add, other than it was an easy, fun read.
Yes, Sarah, on reflection it's not a book that you read to examine yourself or life around you, it's an escape. I love, and loved this book because it takes you, to a whole different environment free from your own problems. I loved being able to just soak in the imagery that Robin McKinley evokes. Also I agree with the others that Beauty is real. And I have to also go along with Devony that the Hero and Crown and The Blue sword are excellent books, but they are not written as a comentary on the world, like Tuesdays with Morrie, or Tending Roses. They are also beautifully written stories of going somewhere wonderfully different and having a romping adventure.
That's an excellent observation Abby. These are books that you read, not really to learn anything, but to be entertained.
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