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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
I've lost count of how many times I've read this book and still it doesnt get old. I'd almost go so far as to say its damn near perfect!
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This is a beautifully written book with the same fundamental problem as every story about Beauty and the Beast. McKinley did everything she could to make this as consensual as possible, but, in the end, it still reads as an older man manipulating a young woman to his advantage.
If you really like the story of "Beauty and the Beast," then you'll like this book as well. If you're not overly fond of the story or have hesitations about the whole consent / lack of consent thing, you won't like this book.
If you really like the story of "Beauty and the Beast," then you'll like this book as well. If you're not overly fond of the story or have hesitations about the whole consent / lack of consent thing, you won't like this book.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Continuing my renewed love affair with Robin McKinley, I re-read this, her first novel. It is quite good, but lacks some the extra oomph of her later books. Still, it is a good re-telling of Beauty and the Beast, where Beauty is an actual individual, stubborn woman with ideas and plans of her own.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Dull
I wish I could get paid to lazily re-write a fairytale, making almost no changes. Having said that, Disney probably owes her a few quid for the ideas she did have.
I would personally not have called one of the characters ‘Ger’, and had his name repeated 30 times per chapter despite the fact that it is infuriating both to read and to imagine pronounced. I don’t know whether it’s ‘Grr’ or ‘Jer’, but both are just noises and not a good choice of name for a cod-historical fairytale character. Or any character, for that matter
I wish I could get paid to lazily re-write a fairytale, making almost no changes. Having said that, Disney probably owes her a few quid for the ideas she did have.
I would personally not have called one of the characters ‘Ger’, and had his name repeated 30 times per chapter despite the fact that it is infuriating both to read and to imagine pronounced. I don’t know whether it’s ‘Grr’ or ‘Jer’, but both are just noises and not a good choice of name for a cod-historical fairytale character. Or any character, for that matter
This book was a bit of a rollercoaster for me. I almost didn't make it past the 20% mark because the beginning of the novel was just so dense and long-winded for me, and I just kept falling asleep while reading. But I was determined to see this one through to the end--mostly because of the "Beauty and the Beast" theme--and I'm glad I did.
This book is broken into three main parts. The first part is used to set the scene and tell the backstories of Beauty and her family. Beauty lives with her two sisters--Hope and Grace--and her Father (who is as eccentric as old Maurice). Father's ships are lost in consecutive storms, and their family is forced to sell their possessions and move to a smaller town with Hope's fiance to live a simpler life. This section--in my opinion--was too long and dense. I found it hard to stay interested and had to really FORCE myself to keep reading. The sentences and general structure of the individual chapters seemed to drag on forever, and while I was intrigued by the story, I did find myself wanting to stop and move onto another book on multiple occasions.
The second part involved Father going to check on his ships that had washed ashore out of the blue. He needed to see who had survived the extended journey at sea and set his affairs in order. On his way back, he gets lost and ends up at the Beast's castle. He picks a rose from the garden, which angers the Beast and causes him to demand either himself or one of his daughters in return. But she must come of her own free will. This section is comprised of Beauty and the rest of her family coming to terms with her decision to go in her Father's place and her journey to the castle. I actually found this part more interesting and engaging, as we are finally on our way to the enchanted castle and its occupants. The chapters were still long, but more digestible.
The third part consisted of Beauty learning to live in the castle, learning to live in her new home with the Beast. This section was my favorite, but I also found it a bit lacking. There was never any real explanation of WHY the curse was placed on the Beast and the castle or by who, except a cursory mention at the end which really left more questions for me.
In the Disney movie, the part where Belle lives with the Beast is so magical and transformative (for both her and the Beast), and I was disappointed that this novel didn't convey the same connection between the two. I just wanted more genuine interaction between Beauty and the Beast--more emotion from Beauty towards the Beast--and she just kept pushing him away. The climax and ending seemed rushed and not as magical as the original--again I wanted more of that thank God you're alive I LOVE YOU feeling and I didn't feel it. I do appreciate Robin putting her own spin on such a classic story, but I didn't love it as much as I wanted. Still worth reading though, I think.
Some of my inspiration for scenes while reading.
This book is broken into three main parts. The first part is used to set the scene and tell the backstories of Beauty and her family. Beauty lives with her two sisters--Hope and Grace--and her Father (who is as eccentric as old Maurice). Father's ships are lost in consecutive storms, and their family is forced to sell their possessions and move to a smaller town with Hope's fiance to live a simpler life. This section--in my opinion--was too long and dense. I found it hard to stay interested and had to really FORCE myself to keep reading. The sentences and general structure of the individual chapters seemed to drag on forever, and while I was intrigued by the story, I did find myself wanting to stop and move onto another book on multiple occasions.
The second part involved Father going to check on his ships that had washed ashore out of the blue. He needed to see who had survived the extended journey at sea and set his affairs in order. On his way back, he gets lost and ends up at the Beast's castle. He picks a rose from the garden, which angers the Beast and causes him to demand either himself or one of his daughters in return. But she must come of her own free will. This section is comprised of Beauty and the rest of her family coming to terms with her decision to go in her Father's place and her journey to the castle. I actually found this part more interesting and engaging, as we are finally on our way to the enchanted castle and its occupants. The chapters were still long, but more digestible.
The third part consisted of Beauty learning to live in the castle, learning to live in her new home with the Beast. This section was my favorite, but I also found it a bit lacking. There was never any real explanation of WHY the curse was placed on the Beast and the castle or by who, except a cursory mention at the end which really left more questions for me.
In the Disney movie, the part where Belle lives with the Beast is so magical and transformative (for both her and the Beast), and I was disappointed that this novel didn't convey the same connection between the two. I just wanted more genuine interaction between Beauty and the Beast--more emotion from Beauty towards the Beast--and she just kept pushing him away. The climax and ending seemed rushed and not as magical as the original--again I wanted more of that thank God you're alive I LOVE YOU feeling and I didn't feel it. I do appreciate Robin putting her own spin on such a classic story, but I didn't love it as much as I wanted. Still worth reading though, I think.
Some of my inspiration for scenes while reading.
I love retellings and had really high hopes for this one. It wasn't a terrible read, but it really didn't love up to my expectations.
There were parts I loved. The writing style drew me in immediately and the setting was very vivid. The way books and reading were talked about was enough to make any book reader swoon and I loved how Beauty's relationship for the beast grew so organically.
My main problem with the book was pacing. We spend the first half of the book on Beauty's childhood (most of which has very little affect on the rest of the story) and don't even meet the beast until the midpoint. This left the ending feeling rushed and not as satisfying.
The other problem I had wasn't as big a deal, but it did come up multiple times for me. I felt the motivations of the characters were off sometimes. One example is when Beauty is trying to talk her family into letting her go to the beast in place of her dad; they agree because, supposedly, Beauty always gets her way in the end. It wasn't a strong enough motivation for me, making the entire section feel off. There were quite a few other places where this occurred for me.
Overall, it wasn't a bad retelling. If you love Beauty and the Beast, this might be one you would enjoy. If you like fast paced books, this one probably isn't for you.
There were parts I loved. The writing style drew me in immediately and the setting was very vivid. The way books and reading were talked about was enough to make any book reader swoon and I loved how Beauty's relationship for the beast grew so organically.
My main problem with the book was pacing. We spend the first half of the book on Beauty's childhood (most of which has very little affect on the rest of the story) and don't even meet the beast until the midpoint. This left the ending feeling rushed and not as satisfying.
The other problem I had wasn't as big a deal, but it did come up multiple times for me. I felt the motivations of the characters were off sometimes. One example is when Beauty is trying to talk her family into letting her go to the beast in place of her dad; they agree because, supposedly, Beauty always gets her way in the end. It wasn't a strong enough motivation for me, making the entire section feel off. There were quite a few other places where this occurred for me.
Overall, it wasn't a bad retelling. If you love Beauty and the Beast, this might be one you would enjoy. If you like fast paced books, this one probably isn't for you.
Robin McKinley's prose was absolutely BEAUTIFUL! I loved reading it and couldn't put the book down. She really brought the fairytale to life with a perfect balance of nostalgia and freshness. I was really cheering for Beauty and her Beast!
However, I was SEVERELY disappointed by the ending. I know the solution to Beauty and the Beast is supposed to be magical, but it was all way too fast and easily accepted by everyone in the book. Oh, we'll just have four weddings at once? Sure! *rolls eyes* I was so frustrated because the whole book had been full of all these characters realistically reacting to these magical elements, and then suddenly these truly fantastical magical happenings were brushed over as if they were a matter of course. It was SO unsatisfying. (On top of it all, I really felt like I didn't get the right closure with Beauty's feelings about her nickname and the idea that her real name was honor. I would have loved to have seen more of a theme involved with that!)
So, it was a beautiful read, but I was very upset with how poorly the ending was handled.
However, I was SEVERELY disappointed by the ending. I know the solution to Beauty and the Beast is supposed to be magical, but it was all way too fast and easily accepted by everyone in the book. Oh, we'll just have four weddings at once? Sure! *rolls eyes* I was so frustrated because the whole book had been full of all these characters realistically reacting to these magical elements, and then suddenly these truly fantastical magical happenings were brushed over as if they were a matter of course. It was SO unsatisfying. (On top of it all, I really felt like I didn't get the right closure with Beauty's feelings about her nickname and the idea that her real name was honor. I would have loved to have seen more of a theme involved with that!)
So, it was a beautiful read, but I was very upset with how poorly the ending was handled.