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Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast
  
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Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast (Library Binding)

by Robin McKinley (Author) "I was the youngest of three daughters ..." (more)
4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (168 customer reviews)

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Product Description

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This much-loved retelling of the classic French tale Beauty and the Beast elicits the familiar magical charm, but is more believable and complex than the traditional story. In this version, Beauty is not as beautiful as her older sisters, who are both lovely and kind. Here, in fact, Beauty has no confidence in her appearance but takes pride in her own intelligence, her love of learning and books, and her talent in riding. She is the most competent of the three sisters, which proves essential when they are forced to retire to the country because of their father's financial ruin.

The plot follows that of the renowned legend: Beauty selflessly agrees to inhabit the Beast's castle to spare her father's life. Beauty's gradual acceptance of the Beast and the couple's deepening trust and affection are amplified in novel form. Robin McKinley's writing has the flavor of another century, and Beauty heightens the authenticity as a reliable and competent narrator.

This was McKinley's first book, written almost 20 years ago. Since that time she has been awarded the Newbery Medal for The Hero and the Crown and has delighted her fans with another retelling of the Beauty and the Beast fable, Rose Daughter. Still, McKinley's first novel has a special place in the hearts of her devoted readers, many of whom attest to relishing Beauty time and again. (Ages 11 to Adult) --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.



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"A captivating novel." --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
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I was the youngest of three daughters. Read the first page
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Customer Reviews

168 Reviews
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4.8 out of 5 stars (168 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful!, May 5 2008
By Annie Hagopian "saphire cat" (Montreal, Qc Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: Beauty (Paperback)
I absolutely loved this novel. The story is a classic, but Robin McKinley's version is so original, and lovely, you will want to read it again and again. It was so beautifully written and easy to read, that time flew and I was sad to see it end! I recommend this book to everyone!
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5.0 out of 5 stars Beauty-ful, Feb 24 2007
By E. A Solinas "ea_solinas" (MD USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   
This review is from: Beauty: A Retelling Of The Story Of Beauty And The Beast (Mass Market Paperback)
The best-known and best-loved of Robin McKinley's books is also one of the best of the fairy-tale retellings -- "Beauty," a more enlightened, fully-drawn version of "Beauty and the Beast." There's a depth and a richness to the story and characterizations, as well as a beauty of atmosphere and writing.

Beauty (real name is "Honour") is the ironically-named heroine of the story -- she isn't beautiful, but is very intelligent. She has two sisters, the beautiful Hope and Grace, and a benevolent, wealthy father. Then all their lives change suddenly: the ships their father owns are lost, and the money goes with them. One of the sisters marries a poor but worthy country lad, while the other lost her beloved fiancee who captained one of the ships. After selling their possessions the family moves to the countryside.

The father leaves on a trip -- and returns with a single rose, a gift for Beauty, which carries the price of either his life or his daughter. Beauty leaves to go live at the castle of the mysterious Beast, with only her plowhorse to accompany her. She arrives at a castle of invisible servants, magical books, friendly animals, and a melancholy Beast who asks her to marry him every evening...

There is nothing new in fairy tale retellings now, but when McKinley first wrote "Beauty," it was a relative rarity. And even now, few of them are as intelligently written and have such solid heroines. Rather than giving her story a contrived "twist," McKinley merely fleshes out the storyline and gives the characters personalities.

The writing is excellent; McKinley writes the more prosaic passages of cottage life and the surrounding friendly village, as well as the more dreamlike, fantastical scenes in the Beast's castle. Lots of atmosphere, either in the poor but warm surroundings of the house, or the eerie feel of the castle.The dialogue is nearly flawless: McKinley doesn't write ye-olde-formal prose, but the characters never sound -- or think -- like modern Americans.

Beauty is a great heroine -- brainy, kind, wry-humored, brave and strong. Though the "Beauty" element is discarded, it is done so with the apparent understanding that this "Beauty" has brains and guts rather than a pretty face. The Beast himself is a little more shadowy; we never get inside his head the way we do Beauty's, but then the book is hers, not his. Beauty's father and sisters are equally well-done, avoiding the cliches of nastiness in favor of being likable or haunted.

Robin McKinley's debut "Beauty" is still among the best-loved fairy-tale retellings. With the help of a gutsy, brainy heroine, it rises above a mere retelling and becomes THE retelling.
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5.0 out of 5 stars Who doesn't like it?, April 12 2006
By A Customer
This review is from: Beauty (Paperback)
I picked this book up in a second hand store about a year ago. since then I have read it about twenty-five times. I had at first only bought it because I really liked fairy tales and this one was a chapter book. When I first read it I was so entralled I stayed up late to read it. I found that the begining was a little hard to read, but then I really enjoy reading the exciting parts of my other books over and over instead of reading the whole book. I had never heard of Robin McKinley before this book and when I finished I emediatly looked in my library for more. I liked this book the best of them all. I thought that it was almost the same as the original fairy tale but with more personality to the characters. I found that some of her other books didn't really have the same effect on me. Like Spindles End. I didn't really like how she had constructed that one. All I can say is: Way to go Robin McKinley on your book Beauty.
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 		 Most recent customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Beauty: A Retelling of Beauty& the Beast
I Liked Rose Daughter but I still loved the original story . I dream of writing like Robin and This book is one of My best loved friends. Read more
Published on Sep 29 2004 by Watchgirl

5.0 out of 5 stars Beauty-ful Retelling
Robin McKinley has a talent to recreate the fantasy worlds of childhood bedtime literature and make them fullblooded novels that any respectable reader will enjoy. Read more
Published on Jun 26 2004 by S. Gregory

5.0 out of 5 stars Beauty and the Beast
This is a really good romance story. I do not read a lot of romance. However, I really liked this.
Beauty and the Beast is one of my most favorite fairy tales. Read more
Published on Jun 22 2004 by Kristina D. Smith

3.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully written; true to the old tale... but...
This is Robin McKinley's version of "Beauty and the Beast", told with her excellent grasp of the written word. Read more
Published on Jun 7 2004 by Anna Balasi

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Telling of a Classic
Beauty is the nickname (real name Honour) of the youngest of three daughters of a prominent merchant. Read more
Published on May 26 2004 by Melissa McCauley

5.0 out of 5 stars true love in its purest form
I've always loved the story of beauty and the beast; how the love between Beauty and the beast surpasses all appearances to find its true power. Read more
Published on May 11 2004

5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic
This book is one of my all time favorite books. I have always loved the story of Beauty and the Beast, but Robin McKinley tells it in a new way that made me love it even more. Read more
Published on April 26 2004

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful retelling of a fascinating Fairytale
I loved this book, from the first time I read it. It was different and funny. When Beauty had to leave her family, they all tried to stop her. She loved her family. Read more
Published on April 25 2004 by S Peterson

5.0 out of 5 stars Beauty is Breathtaking
I love this book. I read it in less than a day the first time I read it. It gives me hope for the future of fantasy. Read more
Published on April 12 2004 by silverdragon_86

5.0 out of 5 stars There's nothing to be feared only to be understood
I'm 23 yaers old with the heart of a child. I still love fairy tales and this was my first experience in a retteling. It's masterfully written. Read more
Published on Mar 25 2004 by Silver Fire

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