Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast by Robin Mckinley Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast
Book Review: Beauty comes from one's soul, not one's face
Summary: 5 Stars
The book "Beauty" of Robin McKinley is truly a beautiful fairy tale based on the old version of Beauty and the Beast. Although this story has been retold from time to time almost everywhere in the world, McKinley really had her own way to make this story alive in me again.
Generally, the content is mostly similar with Beauty and the Beast. The only major difference is that Beauty's sisters are actually pretty and kind people, which is the reason why it is more suitable and appropriate for the children. In most of the fairy tales, there are usually 3 children in a family with 2 evil stepsisters and a na?ve, smart, beautiful girl, who often appears to be the youngest. She alone will have to face every obstacle and struggle her way through life. It gives the children the wrong idea that a family is seldom concord among the family members, especially with a remarriage.
In "Beauty", the character Beauty appears to be the ugly one in the family which for her is the biggest shame though she is the most intellectual girl and posses a beautiful soul. She satisfies herself to go into the forest and live with the Beast to keep her father's promise. While everyone is so scared for her, she calmly answers: "Cannot a beast be tamed?" She is motivated by love and honor. And through many struggles, she finally finds the love of her life-the Beast who has eventually broken the curse and reformed into a handsome prince. The most valuable lesson that she learns is that physical attractiveness is not what make her beautiful. It is her soul.
This book is suitable for people of all ages. People like it because it is fun to read. It also pursues educational meanings. Nowadays, our minds are blinded with new, attempting sources and entertainment provided by television and internet that such books about fairy tale are gradually forgotten, especially by the young generation. I am glad that we can still easily find those stories like "Beauty". It is a book that cannot be missed.
Book Review: Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast--A model of female cooperation.
Summary: 5 Stars
As the title suggests, this is a retelling of the fairytale. Much of the story is similar: Set in an indeterminate time (though retaining an 'olden days' flavor such as blacksmiths and castles) this "Beauty" is a strong character--like the original Beauty--and love indeed conquers all. But what is different about the tale is the portrayal of women. Beauty may not necessarily be physically beautiful (that is open to question) but she has inner beauty, which proves just as powerful. Beauty's sisters are kind, not harridans, and, in fact all the women in the tale including the minor characters are supportive and considerate of each other. For once women are shown as cooperative, not adversarial, as in the original tale, and like so many other narratives, both classic and modern.Book Review: Amazing.
Summary: 5 Stars
Many authors have written about this classic fairy tale, but none so well as McKinley. She takes this ancient story and creates something fresh and new from it! She makes "Belle" (aka: Beauty) into a deep and interesting character, as well as the rest of Beauty's (Belle's) family -- which adds the rich depth of the story.
The adventure starts when Beauty's dad comes back from a business trip and he tells his incounter with the Beast, which holds terms of Beauty going to him in order to protect her family from his 'wrath'. The family refuses, especially the father, and it takes Beauty's courage and forceful nature to make it apparent to her family that she will be going to protect them from the Beast. Beauty, in the end, ends up going to the Beast and thus begins a mysterious development of a relationship between the two -- magical and fantastical. It's a beautiful, and orginial story, which everyone who loves this classic fairy tale will adore.
It's a must read!
Book Review: Excellent Book
Summary: 5 Stars
This is one of my favorite books and I have read it many times since I first read it in middle school. Now that I am in my 20's I still pick it up from time to time. I'm actually here today since my copy is on its last legs because it has been read so much!
This is a classic telling of the classic story only it is enriched with so many details that bring it to life. For anyone who loves the fairy tale, I highly recommend this book and I firmly believe that it should be on every young girl's reading list.
Book Review: delightful fairyltale
Summary: 4 Stars
Young Beauty is anything but at least physically. Yet, as she becomes a young woman, she is "too proud to ask that the name be discarded." She seeks refuges in her studies, and dreams of one day attending the university, a calling unheard of for a woman. When her father, a merchant, runs into financial difficulties, the family is forced to move out into the country into a humbler home. On a trip to the city, Beauty requests her father to bring her some rose seeds. When her father is given hospitality at a mysterious castle, he takes a rose home, as he has been unable to procure the seeds. This sets in motion a trap - the Beast that lives in the castle demands that one of the daughters come to stay. When Beauty goes, she finds a lavish place tended by invisible servants, and that is just the beginning of the many mysteries and wonders in the castle. As she begins to get acquainted with the Beast, she discovers he is an erudite gentleman who has been condemned to live under a curse for centuries, and it is she who holds the key that will break it. Her given name is Honour. Will she live up to it in the end?