Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast

I have to admit I loved this book! I can't quite put my finger on why, when I have read many fairytale-type stories, this book was so captivating, enchanting, and extra special, even when I knew what would happen. It's not exactly like the Disney version of Beauty and the Beast, but I liked it better. I would definitely recommend this book.

The story leading up to her visit home was great but it seemed hurried in the end. Though the plot was decent there were point were i got confused. In the end I wanted more!!!...What shall she call him? ...How shall they live?....how old is he actually?...will she have kids?

This was a very good retelling. Beauty and the Beast has always been my favorite fairy tale and this really was wonderful. I wish the ending was a little more elaborate.

I adored this book. Ever since I was young, I was always intrigued by the tale of The Beauty and the Beast. As I grew older, I became enamoured with the Phantom of the Opera and I find that Erik and the Beast are quite similar. Robin McKinley's version is simply beautiful. The beginning was a little slow, but once they moved away from the city it really picked up. This is definately one of my...more

I adored this book. Ever since I was young, I was always intrigued by the tale of The Beauty and the Beast. As I grew older, I became enamoured with the Phantom of the Opera and I find that Erik and the Beast are quite similar. Robin McKinley's version is simply beautiful. The beginning was a little slow, but once they moved away from the city it really picked up. This is definately one of my favourite books. :)   hide

Absolute best version of Beauty and the Beast ever!!

bestest darn story about Beauty n the Beast you will ever read!

This book was an absoluetely amazing rewrite of Beauty and the Beast. I read it in only a couple of days. I just started reading her rewrite of it and this story just keeps getting better and better. I wish I own this book.

One of my top favorite books of all time. One of my top favorite books of all time. I must have read it at least 10 times or more. Don't know why I like it so much. Very simplistic but really beautiful. Lots of room for imagination.

Beauty is a retelling of the classic fairytale "Beauty and the Beast." I have a mixed review. McKinley took added a wealth of details to flesh out the story, but didn't add any of the little twists that I have enjoyed so much in other fairy tale retellings. Donna Jo Napoli's stories are my favorites because she'll change one or two seemingly insignificant details or...more

Beauty is a retelling of the classic fairytale "Beauty and the Beast." I have a mixed review. McKinley took added a wealth of details to flesh out the story, but didn't add any of the little twists that I have enjoyed so much in other fairy tale retellings. Donna Jo Napoli's stories are my favorites because she'll change one or two seemingly insignificant details or tell the story from another character's perspective. By doing this, the reader comes away with a new understanding of the original story, while still keeping the main ideas intact. To see what I mean, check out a few of my favs: Crazy Jack, Spinners, Sirena. That said, I did enjoy Beast. The story is romantic and well-told for the most part. The middle of the book is gorgeous and that's where it hooked me. However, it started a bit slow and the ending was too abrupt. After all the wonderful detail throughout the book, the end deserved a bit more of the same.   hide