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Summary: Gorgeous storytelling
Review: This is a retelling of the classic fantasy Beauty and The Beast. But this version has a bit of a twist, McKinley's "Beauty" doesn't quite live up to her nickname and can be more accurately described as an awkward teenager, a girl who prefers to spend her free time with books and horses. I liked her immediately. When her Father accidentally stumbles upon the bewitched castle of the "Beast" he is forced into a promise that will forever change Beauty's life. To give anymore of the plot away would be to ruin the magic of the book. BEAUTY is categorized as a children's book (10 and up) but I think it will appeal to anyone who loves a magical, sweet, old-fashioned love story. McKinley's characters are well-drawn, sympathetic and just plain lovable, right down to Beauty's charming horse. This was another one of those rare "unputdownable" books for me. It's a keeper and one I intend to read to my babies when they're old enough to sit still long enough to enjoy it.
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Summary: Beauty
Review: I have always loved the story of Beauty and the Beast and this book retells it for my enjoyment. I just couldn't keep my nose out of this book because it is so beautifully written and it flows well. Plus, I believe it just gives another insight into another similiar but at the same time different version of the much loved fairy tale.
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Summary: Calm, Serene, and Magical
Review: This book was out-of-this world. Ms. McKinly made the fairy tale magical, but very believable. Good thing to read in bed, made me feel calm, serene, and that magic existed in this world. A must-read for 9 to adult.
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Summary: Reading and Re-reading
Review: I'm 23, and have this year discovered both this and McKinley's Rose Daughter, and cannot say which I prefer - both offer an almost overabundance of visual description... I think both books could use a bit more dialogue and character interraction to speed things up, as they move a bit slowly. McKinley takes her time leading up to Beauty's departure to the Beast's palace, but both books are in my collection of favorites.
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Summary: Breathtaking and Awed
Review: This is one of the best books I have ever read. I read it about 3 yrs. ago. I'm now 17. I just fell in love with this book(it was so good that I read it in less than a week!). I have always wanted to own it for myself. I borrowed it from a school library and couldn't put it down. Now that I know where to find it, I might just one day own it. It is one of my 3 top favorite books. The story was easy for me to follow(I love Beauty and the Beast stories).
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Summary: Beauty: A Retelling of Beauty and the Beast
Review: I love this book! It kept my attention all the way through to the end, which is not an easy task. I recommend this book for anyone who likes books based on fantasy.
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Summary: Beauty
Review: I read this book for the first time when I was 15. I'm 24 now and I still love it. Beauty and the Beast has always been my favorite fairy tale and I love finding different versions of the story. This is by far the best one. Beauty isn't your typical helpless fairy tale heroine. She's very intelligent, independent, and willing to do her own thing. Reading this book again has truly been a joy and I highly recommend this book to people of all ages.
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Summary: My FAVORITE book
Review: I love to read and have read many stories, but so far, Beauty is my all time favorite. McKinley puts such realistic detail into this story that you can almost believe that it is true. The Beast's castle was delightful and Beauty's love of books was something I could relate too. Greatheart was also wonderful; He is just perfect for the story! I would recommend this book to anybody, but especially to someone who likes a more sedate, beatuiful, and thoughtful book.
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Summary: Beauty-A Clever and Well-written telling of the tale
Review: I found this book in a thrift shop for ten cents over 15 years ago. I have read it over and over. It is one of my favorite retellings of this classic tale. I collect fairy tales and concentrate on BatB stories. I even have a set of webpages devoted to the fairy tale. This figures prominently in my collection. I highly recommend this story to all ages.
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Summary: A Creator of Memories
Review: I read this book for the first time over 10 years ago and I can still remember the day I read it cover to cover and then flipped to the first page and read "I was the youngest of three daughters" and started again. I finished it for the 2nd time the next day. I still pick up its well-worn cover and yellowing pages (thinking again I need to track down another copy, but THIS book is such a friend, tattered though it may be) when I need to feel the magic and beauty and wonder and friendship again. This is a book for therapy, a book of hope, and a book to remind us that dreams are what we make of them. McKinley's writing is itself a reason to read the book. Each word is exact, well-chosen and well-placed, and the end result of her doubtless craftsmanship is something not to be found in many writers and is a standard in itself, augmenting her creations of magical splendor. To say that I love this book cannot say enough.
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