Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast (1978)

Frustrating pacing and a sudden ending, but the writing was wonderfully absorbing. ( )

Honour is the youngest of three girls. Her mother died soon after the birth of a fourth daughter, as did the baby, when Honour was only a toddler. Her father is a very successful business man, and has built up wealth and status in the city. Honour herself feels that she doesn’t live up to her nickname of beauty, but that is what everyone has called her since she was five years old, so Beauty she remains. All seems to be going well with the family when disaster strikes. Three of her father’s ships & investments are lost, and they are forced to leave the city and set up home in the country. All three girls must learn to work hard if they are to get by, but none shirk their duty.

As they are settling in to their new home and new circumstances news arrives. A ship has made it back. Their father sets off to finish his business, but on his way back home he becomes lost in a storm. He finds safety in a strange, enchanted castle, but upon leaving its gates he sees a rose garden. Remembering his youngest daughter’s desire for some rose seeds he plucks one. Only for the enraged owner of the castle to accuse him if betraying his welcome. This beast threatens to kill the rose thief, but eventually relents saying that he may leave, provided he returns with his youngest daughter who must stay with the beast.

I’m guessing that I didn’t need to relate that to you, after all, pretty much every one is familiar with the story of Beauty and the Beast. This version, published back in 1978 is an adaptation of that classic fairy tale. But you will find no squabbling sisters, or petty jealousies. All the girls are loving sisters and daughters. And there are no evil stepmothers. What a relief!

I enjoyed this book, but it felt a little uneven to me. Some aspects were almost too practical for the sudden magical elements in it. The enchanted castle and curse upon the Beast didn’t seem to fit with the start of the book at all.

A nice, enjoyable read, but not McKinley’s best. It was her first so that can be excused ( )

I honestly don't know when I first read this book. I was still at my childhood home so pre-1998. Still it has stayed with me and I love this book to pieces. This is my defining version of "Beauty and the Beast" and will always hold a special place for me.

The book, told in first person, begins by introducing Honour Huston, a self-conscious bookworm of a girl whose humor and wit draw the reader to her in much the same way a straight-forward stranger quickly becomes a friend. Within the first few pages you learn the names of her sisters, her home life, and just how her five-year-old "precocity" earned her the nickname of Beauty.

Having been familiar with another retelling, I was surprised to find her sisters selfless and kind. However, it does make the story more interesting. Within the first chapter we are brought up to speed on the love lives of Grace and Hope, her elder sisters. Thankfully the story gets these plot points out of the way rather quickly.

Beauty's account of the loss of their fortune and move to the country is told with conviction and strength. My favorite part by far was the moment when we meet Greatheart, Beauty's hand-raised horse. For a person who once named a yellow cat Sunny it was a very touching scene.

Beauty adapts with slight ease to life in the country, becoming one of the guys rather than the ugly duckling. The foreshadowing is obvious in some ways but still enjoyable. But by the end of part one the real story has begun.

Part two introduces us to the Beast, and the many marvels of his castle. My favorite of these is the library, full as it is with as yet unwritten books. The romance between Beauty and the Beast grows slowly as well it should. While we never learn the true name of the Beast we are still left with a most satisfying happily ever after. ( )

This is a fairly basic retelling of Beauty and the Beast with some Disney touches thrown in. It's a pleasant read but doesn't really add anything new to the story. At least, it's short. ( )

Beauty by Robin McKinley is an excellent retelling of the fairy story Beauty and the Beast. Beauty and the Beast was my favourite fairy story as a child and I totally fell in love with this story all over again. The author wisely sticks close to the known story but adds the most wonderful touches and embellishments along the way.

The main character is nicknamed Beauty, her real name is Honor and it’s her steadfast honor and decency that the author plays upon in this charming tale. Her love for the Beast grows slowly starting with friendship and then blossoming into love so we get the happy ending that we want.

I have had mixed reactions to this author’s books in the past, but this is a cozy and relaxing read. It was first published in 1978 and it stands the test of time. Beauty is a well told story that was a surprising treat to read. ( )