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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
I loved this book! I've always loved the Disney movie so I thought I'd give it a try. Very fun to listen to on Audible.
This book was *GREAT* until the last 10% where the book feels so rushed and ends quickly. Like, WTF? So much build up, for so little pay off. Frustrating.
I read this book every year. It has a lot of depth but is still simple enough for young people to enjoy.
I have never read a Robin McKinley book before. I gather, from looking around, that this might be a slightly scandalous announcement? At any rate, that's the case. I have a feeling that I got this, and The Hero and the Crown, from a Humble Bundle or similar. It's not something I would have bought off my own bat.
This is fairly straightforward retelling of Beauty and the Beast. It goes into a substantial amount of background for Beauty's family, which I really enjoyed - the discussion of the family, and their changing circumstances, was a perfectly delightful story all by itself. Because here's the thing: even though it's a standard retelling of the fairytale, insofar as that bit goes (and I recently read Angela Carter's version, which WHOA), what makes this stand out is McKinley's fabulous prose. Reading her work is utterly effortless, and a joy. I love her descriptions and I enjoy her dialogue and the characters are delightful. Beauty has two older sisters - and they're distinct from one another, and although they're not the centre of the story I still know them and care about them. Her father is a bit more distant, which makes sense as it's Beauty's perspective we get. And Beauty herself is wonderful: not entirely content with herself and her life, for various reasons, but also devoted to her family and doing what is necessary, generally happily. Her conflict in staying with the Beast is presented clearly, with duty meeting fear and so on...
This is not a fractured fairy tale nor a complete reimagining. It's a story that takes a well known story and makes it more rounded, and presents it wrapped in lovely words.
This is fairly straightforward retelling of Beauty and the Beast. It goes into a substantial amount of background for Beauty's family, which I really enjoyed - the discussion of the family, and their changing circumstances, was a perfectly delightful story all by itself. Because here's the thing: even though it's a standard retelling of the fairytale, insofar as that bit goes (and I recently read Angela Carter's version, which WHOA), what makes this stand out is McKinley's fabulous prose. Reading her work is utterly effortless, and a joy. I love her descriptions and I enjoy her dialogue and the characters are delightful. Beauty has two older sisters - and they're distinct from one another, and although they're not the centre of the story I still know them and care about them. Her father is a bit more distant, which makes sense as it's Beauty's perspective we get. And Beauty herself is wonderful: not entirely content with herself and her life, for various reasons, but also devoted to her family and doing what is necessary, generally happily. Her conflict in staying with the Beast is presented clearly, with duty meeting fear and so on...
This is not a fractured fairy tale nor a complete reimagining. It's a story that takes a well known story and makes it more rounded, and presents it wrapped in lovely words.
I couldn't bare to give it two stars. It just . . . . it just wasn't singing to me. I'll admit as I got farther in I got more hooked, but it wasn't the best. In my opinion. The descriptions and details were not painting pictures for me, I don't know what the best looked like, what the castle, Beauty's family. . . . It was a fine book, clean and intent on telling their story.
It certainly is not a terrible book and I would definitely recommend reading it, it just didn't satiate my personal taste entirely for the genre of Fairy Tale re-tellings.
It certainly is not a terrible book and I would definitely recommend reading it, it just didn't satiate my personal taste entirely for the genre of Fairy Tale re-tellings.
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
It's easy to see how influential this book was, especially on the Disney movie!
As a huge Beauty & Beast fan, I was so excited to read this. However, quickly realized it was not as exciting from the start (and to not compare to the Disney version) I found the beginning so dull, I kept putting the book down with no interest with wanting to continue reading (and I love books). I was about to return it when I re-read some reviews on here and found out there are 3 parts. Part 3 is when Beauty goes to the Beast's castle. I jumped over to that part and enjoyed the book a little better. However, it went from slowly seeing their relationship build to him letting her return to her family to BOOM she realizes she loves him/returns/spell is broken and the end. I would've liked for have it not end so abrupt. The author did do a wonderful job of describing how magical/beautiful the castle and gardens were. I just feel this book could've done without the 2 other parts.
I liked it. I would have liked the falling in love part to be a little more drawn out, and a little more resolution after the climax.