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Summary: McKinley's magic at work in a time-honored fairytale
Review: The first time I read this book, I was at the awkward age of sixteen and related with McKinley's Beauty, who was not the most beautiful person in the world. The classic story takes on a whole new level. Gone is the perfect, Disney-like heroine as McKinley presented Beauty as a more real-to-life person. I was able to connect to Beauty's life more and this made the story more believable and charming because of this.
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Summary: Putting the beauty in Beauty and the Beast!
Review: Of all the books I've readÑand there are many, I assure youÑthis is still one of my favorites. Since I first read it in third grade (or was it fourth?) I've been enchanted by the touching retelling of such a classic fairy tale. I must have read and re-read it a hundred times since then (wellÑthat might be a slight exaggeration), but I love the book dearly! Robin McKinley is one of my favorite authors, weaving wonderful characters, eloquent descriptions, true humor and imaginative plots together in the way only a true fantasy author can. And she does it better nowhere than this book! (Though I am also smitten with all her other booksÑthis was the first I read, and is probably still my favorite. Probably.) Anyone who loves fantasy, or any great book for that matter, should read this as soon as possibly (and make sure to start at a time when you don't have anything you have to do for a whileÑI gaurantee you won't be able to put it down!)
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Summary: A truly wonderful book!
Review: This book was lovely, with great descriptions and a marvelous story. I really did enjoy this book. It was a wonderful elaboration on the original fairy tale.~Sunn
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Summary: Beauty is one of the best children's fantasies I've read rec
Review: Beauty and the Beast was always my favorite fairy tale. The only thinng wrong with it was that it was too short!
This wonderful book lengthens and fills out the original story. In spite of the fantasy elements the story is realistic and the characters are believable. Fantasy, magic, and romance - this book has them all. The characters are believable and the reader will immediately identify with Beauty and will delight with her as she learns to love the beast. It was impossible to put this book down!
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Summary: there are no words to describe how wonderful this book is!
Review: There's a reason why almost all of the reviewers rate this book at as a ten. I love this book! I've read it so many times I almost have it memorized.
If you're interested there's a very good site on Robin McKinley, with discussions on all of her books (the rest are just as good - I own them all!) at www.cif.rochester.edu/users/harimad/McKinley/
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Summary: An excellent interpretation of a familiar story
Review: This is the best of gentle fantasy, that sort which soothes instead of frightens, and reassures instead of shocks. The heroine is aptly named Honor; her sisters are not wicked and her father is not foolish and she herself is not beautiful, and thus the extreme elements are taken from the fairy tale and it is turned into a plausible, internally consistent story which draws the reader's whole attention. McKinley has taken a beloved fairy tale and, without detracting one whit from its truth or its charm, has made it a real story about real people. A significant achievement
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Summary: A book for book lovers
Review: I have searched used book stores for this book for years-imagine my delight at finding new copies available! This is a book for book lovers. The characters of Beauty and the Beast, which have become archetypal in the West, are rejuvenated and recreated, making the story a surprise even to those of us who know and love it well. McKinley's humor is very engaging and her characters' emotions are palpable. Most importantly, however, this is a story with which all devoted readers can sympathise, for Beauty loves books, of which she can never get enough. Stories of antiquity and the process of storytelling infuse McKinley's narrative, and one can clearly see the influence that story has on other stories, particularly on the stories of our lives. This is a living book, and a magical one
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Summary: This book is a real beaut!
Review: Robin McKinley's wonderful retelling of the "tale as old as time" is clearly what Disney used to make their film. The difference is that McKinley's novel Beauty is more descriptive than the movie, and absolutely gripping when she describes the personalities of the characters. Beauty's transformation is both sympathetic and believable. I am currently on my third copy, as I either keep wearing them out, or loaning them to friends who never return them. IF YOU LIKE FANTASY, READ THIS BOOK
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Summary: Engaging and creative. You won't want to put it down!
Review: 'Beauty' is truly one of my favorite books! It is the type of book that sucks you in and doesn't let go 'till the end. It isn't an action packed book or anything like that at all. It is more or less a quiet type of book that is good to read when you are inside on a stormy day sipping tea. I recomend this book highly for anyone who likes to read interesting books. And who doesn't
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Summary: beauty
Review: this was the first book that captivated me by the author, leading me onto readin several of her others. although i wouldn't reccomand it, i checked it out and "kinda" forgot to return it, before i moved, i was so attached to it (yes, i'm very ashamed of myself, and yes, i did send them money for it). she does the story best, better than anyone ever did (especially linda woolvertan [disney]) everyhting fits into place. the characters are perfect, she enters their souls as if they were her own. if all books could be as good as robin mckinley's, maybe i'd actually start paying attention in english clas
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