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A review by cousinrachel
Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast by Robin McKinley
lighthearted
medium-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
2.0
This had overbearing pretensions to taking after Jane Eyre, with none of the relationship-building, endearing characters, goofy humor, or suspense. Predictable as it gets. And none at all of JE’s famed sexual tension that set the bar for every romance novel since.
Maybe the original book wouldn’t be my cup of tea but “Beast” is unbelievably clingy and manipulative with zero character arc/dynamic. He’s selfish right to the end while the girl he’s “in love” with who is a third his age, spends the whole book moaning about what a terrible disloyal person she is for wanting to… wait for it… GO HOME AND SEE HER FAMILY. I’m pretty sure Jane would have slapped her.
Ending was rushed and the reason for the curse is just stupid. I mean come on. Disney did better than this. DISNEY. Get it together!
Maybe the original book wouldn’t be my cup of tea but “Beast” is unbelievably clingy and manipulative with zero character arc/dynamic. He’s selfish right to the end while the girl he’s “in love” with who is a third his age, spends the whole book moaning about what a terrible disloyal person she is for wanting to… wait for it… GO HOME AND SEE HER FAMILY. I’m pretty sure Jane would have slapped her.
Ending was rushed and the reason for the curse is just stupid. I mean come on. Disney did better than this. DISNEY. Get it together!
Content Warnings
Minor: Pregnancy
Suddenly out of nowhere in the last two pages, it’s revealed the Beast got cursed because a magician didn’t get along with his relatives.