Rating: Summary: average. Review: personally...i didn't see what was so great about this book. the plot pretty much followed the traditional plot, and it reminded me of the disney cartoon. there was nothing spectacular about this book, and at times i found myself skipping lines, because they just contained useless description. i gave it a three because mckinley at least knew where to end, and because the character of beauty held a slight resmblance to jane eyre, which was about the only thing that kept me reading this book.
Rating: Summary: Terrific! Review: As being McKinley's first book, this one was wonderful! I admit, I certainly didn't enjoy Spindle's End (the first one I read by her), but Beauty was the BEST! Robin McKinley retells this majestic tale by giving us Beauty's life before she was made to go and stay with Beast. Even though you know what's going to happen, there's just this wonderful twist to it that gives it the suspense and spice that you seem to have been waiting for. Words can't explain how enchanting this book is. I'll tell you one thing, though: I couldn't wait to get back from school to read it, and finished it just a few hours after I arrived home. If you're a fantasy lover and don't like this book, I'm sorry. But there's almost no way you can't love this one.
Rating: Summary: Beauty (and Honour) by Robin McKinley Review: Here is a version of the classic Beauty and the Beast with all the enchantment and no fluff, plus a little irony. Beauty is not particularily pretty at first. Rather, Beauty is a childhood nickname she gave herself in the shadow of her beautiful older sisters. Her given name is Honour which she proves when her father is captured in the magic forest. To save her father, Beauty must go live with the Beast in an enchanted castle which does everything from cleaning to dressing her to serving food. It is a perfect place, but no honest happiness exists under a spell, and all are prisoners. The characters must look deep and discover true beauty. Beauty is wonderful retelling of the classic tale with bright vocabulary and more mature ideas. It is a fun and enticing book that you want to race through even when you know what should happen but want to know how it will! Good for age 12 and up!
Rating: Summary: Robin McKinley's First Novel Is Great Review: Of all fairytales, my favorite has always been Beauty and the Beast. In every version Beauty is brave and loving. Rather than wait helplessly for someone else to set things to rights, she takes action to save her father from the strange fate brought upon him by her simple request for a rose. In this telling, Beauty is not a victim of her sisters' spite and selfishness as in the traditional tale. They too are brave and loving, and dote upon their little sister. The family is close and protective of one another, and all of their reactions are logical and understandable, due to the author's skill at characterization and her excellent ear for the spoken word. The characters come alive within Robin McKinley's fine, graceful prose. Beauty, her sisters Grace and Hope, their father, and all the other characters in the 'ordinary' world outside the Beast's enchanted forest are described in vivid detail, as well as their surroundings. Likewise, the Beast's castle and its vast grounds are clear in the mind's eye. We cannot accurately 'see' the Beast, for his appearance is like the vague horror of a nightmare, but we can 'hear' him very clearly. His voice is rough, but he speaks kindly and gently, and his terrible sadness touches Beauty's heart -- and the reader's. I have re-read this book many times, and I cannot praise it enough. It was an instant classic, and I recommend it to anyone who loves magic and romance, and a heart-warming, great read.
Rating: Summary: One of my favs!!! Review: Another great McKinley book!! I am a fan of Robin McKinley (The Blue Sword,The Hero and the Crown,Rose Daughter,Deerskin,Spindle's End) and have loved everyone of her books. This one is no different. The "plain" daughter of a once rich merchant goes on to the enchanted castle ruled by a beast. This known fairy-tale is set off by Beauty's lack of self-confidence,wry humor,and much more. I also liked the two maids, they added a touch of reality into this classic story. If you like retellings, or just fantasy books, you will definately love this stor!
Rating: Summary: Beautyful Review: The book "Beauty" by Robin McKinley was a beautifully written novel with equisite details on the on everything from the rose to the castle. This is a definate "Must read!"
Rating: Summary: Loveliness Almost Wholly Epitomized Review: I truly admire and love this book, it possesses a sweet, clear, strong plot and follows closely along the same lines as the animated Disney classic. Robin McKinley took the familiar, wonderful tale, placed a few twists within it and retold it in a simple, yet charming, manner. If you love fairy tales, or just enjoy a good reading experience, I adamantly reccommend this book. :)
Rating: Summary: A Captivating Novel Review: This is an awsome book! he beauty and the beast story is retold in a mavelous way. Itis a wonderful story that you won't want to put down!! I definatly recomend this book, its a beautiful fairy tale.
Rating: Summary: Awesome Review: When my sister first started reading me this book I loved it. But she never got past the first part, well than she wouldn't finish the book for me. So she challenged me to read it. Well it took me awhile to read it but when I started reading the book I could barley but the book down it was so good now later I'm very glad she made me read it. Every one should read this book it's awesome.
Rating: Summary: A relishing and enchanting classic...with a twist! Review: As most of us know from the other versions of Beauty and the Beast, Beauty has always been the prettiest of her sisters...until now. Robin McKinley is one of my favorite authors although i was not particulary happy with "The Outlaws of Sherwood" this book,"Beauty" caught my imagination again. Beauty is just her nick name although it seems to be an unfortunate one her given name is Honour. McKinley goes on to explain how exactly Beauty recieved her nickname and depicts it with a vividness that i loved. Beauty is not beautiful however but enjoys reading and learning but when her father runs into some trouble with his buissness they all need to auction off their belongings, and pick up and go with Hope's (second eldest sister of Beauty) husband-to-be. They settle in a town called "Blue Hill" and start a new life. One day word is sent to Beauty's father that one of his ships has returned, he is asked by an oldfriend to come and stay for a while, but on return and horrible storm picks up and leads him right to the enchanted castle. He finds that where the castle is the strom doesn't seem able to reach and destroy the peacefulness of it,perhaps. His invisible(so it seems) host brings him in and feeds him and lets him stay the night. In the morning father is about to leave when he remembers his promise to his daughter Beauty for some rose seeds. He sees an arbour of roses and unfortunetly picks one for Beauty. The Beast appears and tells him off demanding that when he returns in month he must bring one of his daughters, or come alone. Beauty insists on going and in the end of a month returns with her father to the enchanted castle. Some other surprises occur before she leaves to go to her new home. And the rest... if you want to find out then you'll have to read it for it is a wonderful story and has much detail in it. I really loved this book and can't wait 'till i read her second version of "Beauty and the Beast" called "Rose Daughter"!!!!!!!!!
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