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10 reviews for Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast
NQ –
Clever retelling
Beauty and the Beast is one of my favorite novels and I never miss a re-telling. I loved this one especially because Beauty didnât have an ugly strife with her family before she left. It plays an important part of how she feels when she re-enters her family and why she runs back to the Beast.
Kathie Jamison –
Oh My Goodness!
What an absolutely beautifully written story. The prose is lush, the main characters well drawn, and the old sweet fairy tale lovingly told.Once you start reading you will be unable to avoid continuing saturating in the beauty of this delicious book.
Reed –
couldn’t put it down
The story was amazing. I was kind of on the fence to read it, but I was fascinated by the scenes that were depicted, and the writing was so smooth and I felt the emotions come out of the pages. Beauty was born to a wealthy family. She had other sisters, who Grace and Hope. A successful merchant, and had a fleet of ships at the tides turn the lost everything and the family, who once was waited on hand by servants, lost everything and had to move with Ger whom wanted to marry Grace. But he wanted to Wait because he had nothing to offer until they arrived at the small town where he used to be a bit black smith so the long journey was very hard, and when they arrived the small home Clean but needed a lot of work and none of the girls know how to do it, but they dug in and did the best they could beauty who was not very pretty kind of gangly Was given a horse called great heart that was large and strong, and he was very useful at a great many things. He was devoted to beauty and would do pretty much anything that she required of him. She loved him. She filled her days with work and started to be like a tomboy working With Geier and the horses killing Fields, cutting wood and many many other manly jobs, but she wouldn’t have it any other way. Father had to go away because one of his ships were found, and he had to go and sell it and try to help the sailors that survived when he returned many weeks later He was thin, pale and very upset. He told them that he would tell them the tail in the morning he told them that he had Gotten lost in bad weather, and had came across a beautiful castle, and he needed shelter, warmth and food and everything was given to him just after or before the thought he was given a room to rest food and he thanked the house for everything for he saw no people. But when he went to leave, going down a beautiful white road, there were more beautiful roses, and in an arbor, he remembered he wanted to bring beauty back a rose, so he picked one, and everything changed in an instant. A loud roar, and a great beast jumped out screaming you stole from me after everything that I had given you shelter, food, warmth, and yet you stole from me the father apologized and said he appreciated everything but he didn’t know that he couldn’t pick a rules, but the beast said I’m going to kill you now unless you can offer me a deal the father says I have nothing other than my three daughters The beast says then you will give me one of your daughters. If you will not I will kill you now if you agree on your honor leave & then do not bring me a daughter in three months I will find you and kill you. You will come back to me at this gate and if you do not have the daughter with you then you die but when you bring the daughter and she comes willingly you will live and she will stay with me, no harm will come to her; her father was horrified that he would trade one of his daughters for his life, to live with a wild beast. But her father went home, and had explained to everyone what had happened at the castle and how strange things came about that one of the daughters had to willingly go to the beast, and live in the Castle. Ger had heard these tales of enchantment and curses all his life & knew father was telling the truth. Beauty Listened to the tale about magic and enchantment. She was quite sure she believed her father she knew she had to sacrifice for her father life. So she willingly went, but will she live to tell the tale and be treated well without harm will see
MereChristian –
The (I think) Potential Inspiration for Disney’s Take on the Tale
I realized when first reading this novel a few years ago, and recently once again, that Disney’s story folks are incredibly original and creative, but like most creators, they had sources of inspiration from which they borrowed ideas. I believe that the creators of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast found some of their inspirations in the book I am here reviewing, Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast by Robin McKinley.Granted, that much is different (I said I believe Disney got some ideas, not adapted the work). For instance, “Beauty” is her nickname, not her name, and she is her tomboyish ugly duckling who hatches into a beautiful swan before the end of the story. Other areas of difference are that the household items do not talk, at least not understandably, and the servants that do talk, are invisible, and not meant to be understood by Beauty. In fact, her increasing ability to understand them as the story progresses, is a major plot point. In other words, the enchanted servants, as well as roses and so on that one will see in the novel I believe did inspire the film-makers, but that was it. The story is still quite different. Other similarities exist that I can not properly describe without spoiling the whole book. You’ll just have too see for yourselves.The main premise is well-known, but herein is reworked. Beauty lives with her father, sisters, and brother-in-law at his house and smithy. The brother-in-law, is a blacksmith, and a good one at that. He grew up in that part of the countryside where they now live after his father-in-law (Beauty and her sisters’ father) suffers financial ruin. He warns the family not to go near the forest, for it is evil and enchanted.Unfortunately, not all of the family listens, and on returning from a business trip, Beauty’s father wanders into the woods and gets lost. He comes upon a castle, and angers the Beast who anonymously cared for him there. His life is spared provided that he, or one of his daughters, comes to live with the Beast forever.Once the poor old man arrives home and tells his tale, Beauty volunteers to go. Upon arriving at the castle, she is settled in and meets the Beast. He thinks her beautiful, but she is disbelieving. “Beauty” is only a nickname she assumed when she was young and adorable. Now she is a plain, barely pretty, if that, adult. At least, that is how she views herself.Robin McKinley was a masterful writer, and it shows in this fanciful tale. The mindset of the overly studious Beauty is one that just drinks in the scenery and makes sometimes foolish, sometimes intelligent, but nearly always witty, observations and assessments of whatever situation she finds herself in.Beyond just a talent for prose, McKinley designed an actual system for how the old tale of Beauty and the Beast could work. Why was the Beast connected to Beauty? Why would he die without her? Why? While keeping the original tale’s emphasis on love, and the broken heart of the Beast, McKinley suggested something enchanted about Beauty that connected her to the Beast in an almost psychic link that governs the life of the sadly cursed creature. Remember the importance of Beauty understanding the invisible servants that I mentioned earlier?The only part that I did not like was how rushed the ending was. It seemed like a huge buildup, and a wonderful act of world-building on McKillip’s part, lead to nothing. Yes, we can see that Beauty and her family are happy, and will live good lives, but that is it. We see the beginning and then it is cut short with barely a couple of pages of description. I felt kind of cheated at that. I wanted to see the family meet the Beast. Read of the celebrations, and learn more of the ins and outs of how everyone came together. It was all so rushed, seemingly, and that detracted slightly from the book.That was, however, the only thing that detracted from the book. All in all, a great read, and now one of my favorite books. I used to love the Disney film version, but the old folk tale best. Now, I also adore this novel as well. That is how good it was. Please read it.Highly Recommended.Rating: 4.5/5 Stars.
Kindle Customer –
I liked it
It is a great fairy tale. The author did it justice. The retelling of it is graceful and romantic. Will look for her other books.
Alessandra M. –
La trama è ritagliata sullo stampo della classica storia della Bella e la Bestia, con qua e là qualche riaccorgimento che in inglese (dopotutto il libro è in inglese, NB!) non potrei che definire “endearing”: la protagonista è molto più umana – se non nel finale dove appare puntualmente “bellissima” -, i (pochi) abitanti del castello sono caratterizzati in maniera diversa, la Bestia è quasi sempre gentilissima, e via di questo passo; ma nessuna sorpresa rilevante.Lettura piacevole che scorre bene, forse pochi di scena e ritmi di tanto in tanto lenti o, meglio, tranquilli; ma chi sceglie un libro del genere lo fa per il tema romantico/favolistico e non per la suspense o lo stile. Apparentemente meno originale, ma a mio parere più interessante di un libro che è un altro “Beauty and the Beast” sotto coperta, Dragon Rose [https://www.amazon.it/Dragon-Tales-Latter-Kingdoms-English-ebook/dp/B00A81XPX0/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1483175863&sr=1-1&keywords=dragon+rose], questo chiaramente ricalcato sulla fiaba classica ma con minore scorrevolezza, forse pagando lo scotto di volersi differenziare per forza dalla matrice originale. Beauty invece non ha grandi pretese di originalità , ma come retelling moderno è apprezzabile.
I fell in love with this book in high school. One day recently I remembered this book and decided to look for it. I found it, which is surprising, because the last time I read it was over 30 years ago. Thank you for letting me walk down memory lane!Professional, prompt service.Highly recommend âºï¸
Heather Guthrie –
One of my favorite all time stories. I first read it in 2001 in middle school and I love it to this day. Bought this copy as a gift.
NQ –
Clever retelling
Beauty and the Beast is one of my favorite novels and I never miss a re-telling. I loved this one especially because Beauty didnât have an ugly strife with her family before she left. It plays an important part of how she feels when she re-enters her family and why she runs back to the Beast.
Kathie Jamison –
Oh My Goodness!
What an absolutely beautifully written story. The prose is lush, the main characters well drawn, and the old sweet fairy tale lovingly told.Once you start reading you will be unable to avoid continuing saturating in the beauty of this delicious book.
Reed –
couldn’t put it down
The story was amazing. I was kind of on the fence to read it, but I was fascinated by the scenes that were depicted, and the writing was so smooth and I felt the emotions come out of the pages. Beauty was born to a wealthy family. She had other sisters, who Grace and Hope. A successful merchant, and had a fleet of ships at the tides turn the lost everything and the family, who once was waited on hand by servants, lost everything and had to move with Ger whom wanted to marry Grace. But he wanted to Wait because he had nothing to offer until they arrived at the small town where he used to be a bit black smith so the long journey was very hard, and when they arrived the small home Clean but needed a lot of work and none of the girls know how to do it, but they dug in and did the best they could beauty who was not very pretty kind of gangly Was given a horse called great heart that was large and strong, and he was very useful at a great many things. He was devoted to beauty and would do pretty much anything that she required of him. She loved him. She filled her days with work and started to be like a tomboy working With Geier and the horses killing Fields, cutting wood and many many other manly jobs, but she wouldn’t have it any other way. Father had to go away because one of his ships were found, and he had to go and sell it and try to help the sailors that survived when he returned many weeks later He was thin, pale and very upset. He told them that he would tell them the tail in the morning he told them that he had Gotten lost in bad weather, and had came across a beautiful castle, and he needed shelter, warmth and food and everything was given to him just after or before the thought he was given a room to rest food and he thanked the house for everything for he saw no people. But when he went to leave, going down a beautiful white road, there were more beautiful roses, and in an arbor, he remembered he wanted to bring beauty back a rose, so he picked one, and everything changed in an instant. A loud roar, and a great beast jumped out screaming you stole from me after everything that I had given you shelter, food, warmth, and yet you stole from me the father apologized and said he appreciated everything but he didn’t know that he couldn’t pick a rules, but the beast said I’m going to kill you now unless you can offer me a deal the father says I have nothing other than my three daughters The beast says then you will give me one of your daughters. If you will not I will kill you now if you agree on your honor leave & then do not bring me a daughter in three months I will find you and kill you. You will come back to me at this gate and if you do not have the daughter with you then you die but when you bring the daughter and she comes willingly you will live and she will stay with me, no harm will come to her; her father was horrified that he would trade one of his daughters for his life, to live with a wild beast. But her father went home, and had explained to everyone what had happened at the castle and how strange things came about that one of the daughters had to willingly go to the beast, and live in the Castle. Ger had heard these tales of enchantment and curses all his life & knew father was telling the truth. Beauty Listened to the tale about magic and enchantment. She was quite sure she believed her father she knew she had to sacrifice for her father life. So she willingly went, but will she live to tell the tale and be treated well without harm will see
MereChristian –
The (I think) Potential Inspiration for Disney’s Take on the Tale
I realized when first reading this novel a few years ago, and recently once again, that Disney’s story folks are incredibly original and creative, but like most creators, they had sources of inspiration from which they borrowed ideas. I believe that the creators of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast found some of their inspirations in the book I am here reviewing, Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast by Robin McKinley.Granted, that much is different (I said I believe Disney got some ideas, not adapted the work). For instance, “Beauty” is her nickname, not her name, and she is her tomboyish ugly duckling who hatches into a beautiful swan before the end of the story. Other areas of difference are that the household items do not talk, at least not understandably, and the servants that do talk, are invisible, and not meant to be understood by Beauty. In fact, her increasing ability to understand them as the story progresses, is a major plot point. In other words, the enchanted servants, as well as roses and so on that one will see in the novel I believe did inspire the film-makers, but that was it. The story is still quite different. Other similarities exist that I can not properly describe without spoiling the whole book. You’ll just have too see for yourselves.The main premise is well-known, but herein is reworked. Beauty lives with her father, sisters, and brother-in-law at his house and smithy. The brother-in-law, is a blacksmith, and a good one at that. He grew up in that part of the countryside where they now live after his father-in-law (Beauty and her sisters’ father) suffers financial ruin. He warns the family not to go near the forest, for it is evil and enchanted.Unfortunately, not all of the family listens, and on returning from a business trip, Beauty’s father wanders into the woods and gets lost. He comes upon a castle, and angers the Beast who anonymously cared for him there. His life is spared provided that he, or one of his daughters, comes to live with the Beast forever.Once the poor old man arrives home and tells his tale, Beauty volunteers to go. Upon arriving at the castle, she is settled in and meets the Beast. He thinks her beautiful, but she is disbelieving. “Beauty” is only a nickname she assumed when she was young and adorable. Now she is a plain, barely pretty, if that, adult. At least, that is how she views herself.Robin McKinley was a masterful writer, and it shows in this fanciful tale. The mindset of the overly studious Beauty is one that just drinks in the scenery and makes sometimes foolish, sometimes intelligent, but nearly always witty, observations and assessments of whatever situation she finds herself in.Beyond just a talent for prose, McKinley designed an actual system for how the old tale of Beauty and the Beast could work. Why was the Beast connected to Beauty? Why would he die without her? Why? While keeping the original tale’s emphasis on love, and the broken heart of the Beast, McKinley suggested something enchanted about Beauty that connected her to the Beast in an almost psychic link that governs the life of the sadly cursed creature. Remember the importance of Beauty understanding the invisible servants that I mentioned earlier?The only part that I did not like was how rushed the ending was. It seemed like a huge buildup, and a wonderful act of world-building on McKillip’s part, lead to nothing. Yes, we can see that Beauty and her family are happy, and will live good lives, but that is it. We see the beginning and then it is cut short with barely a couple of pages of description. I felt kind of cheated at that. I wanted to see the family meet the Beast. Read of the celebrations, and learn more of the ins and outs of how everyone came together. It was all so rushed, seemingly, and that detracted slightly from the book.That was, however, the only thing that detracted from the book. All in all, a great read, and now one of my favorite books. I used to love the Disney film version, but the old folk tale best. Now, I also adore this novel as well. That is how good it was. Please read it.Highly Recommended.Rating: 4.5/5 Stars.
Kindle Customer –
I liked it
It is a great fairy tale. The author did it justice. The retelling of it is graceful and romantic. Will look for her other books.
Alessandra M. –
La trama è ritagliata sullo stampo della classica storia della Bella e la Bestia, con qua e là qualche riaccorgimento che in inglese (dopotutto il libro è in inglese, NB!) non potrei che definire “endearing”: la protagonista è molto più umana – se non nel finale dove appare puntualmente “bellissima” -, i (pochi) abitanti del castello sono caratterizzati in maniera diversa, la Bestia è quasi sempre gentilissima, e via di questo passo; ma nessuna sorpresa rilevante.Lettura piacevole che scorre bene, forse pochi di scena e ritmi di tanto in tanto lenti o, meglio, tranquilli; ma chi sceglie un libro del genere lo fa per il tema romantico/favolistico e non per la suspense o lo stile. Apparentemente meno originale, ma a mio parere più interessante di un libro che è un altro “Beauty and the Beast” sotto coperta, Dragon Rose [https://www.amazon.it/Dragon-Tales-Latter-Kingdoms-English-ebook/dp/B00A81XPX0/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1483175863&sr=1-1&keywords=dragon+rose], questo chiaramente ricalcato sulla fiaba classica ma con minore scorrevolezza, forse pagando lo scotto di volersi differenziare per forza dalla matrice originale. Beauty invece non ha grandi pretese di originalità , ma come retelling moderno è apprezzabile.
troussieux catherine –
Un livre qui développe un peu plus le personnage de Belle.
Becc –
I fell in love with this book in high school. One day recently I remembered this book and decided to look for it. I found it, which is surprising, because the last time I read it was over 30 years ago. Thank you for letting me walk down memory lane!Professional, prompt service.Highly recommend âºï¸
Heather Guthrie –
One of my favorite all time stories. I first read it in 2001 in middle school and I love it to this day. Bought this copy as a gift.
J Parry –
Wonderful