Review of Beauty by Robin McKinley
A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast
Gregory Maguire is not the first author to retell a popular fairytale. Robin McKinley, in fact, is the predecessor of such authors with her 1978 book, Beauty. This retelling of the story of Beauty and the Beast is unique in its own right because it presents new ideas and twists the story in such a way that gives the story a gothic, mysterious quality.
Synopsis of Beauty
Honour is the youngest of three daughters, born to a wealthy French merchant family. Her two elder sisters, Grace and Hope, are very beautiful in their own ways but Honour is very plain. So, as a cruel twist of fate, her father gives her the nickname of Beauty. Beauty’s father loses the family business and is forced to sell all of his family’s possessions and move them deep into the forest so Hope’s husband can be the town’s blacksmith.
During their first winter in town, Beauty’s father went riding and got lost in the woods, coming across the Beast’s castle. In return for his life, he promises the Beast that he will bring him one of his three daughters. And so, Beauty honorably insists that she be the one taken to the Beast. In return for such a sacrifice, the Beast rewarded the family with money, jewels, and fine clothes.
Beauty, though, is in for the journey of a lifetime. With invisible servants to guide her, Beauty learns the secrets of the castle and learns how to love a Beast.
Review of Beauty
Honour and the beast form a camaraderie that transcends their physical differences that became an everlasting love that neither knew was possible, which is one of the most powerful themes in the novel. Another important theme is the idea that sacrifices are always rewarded. Beauty makes the most difficult sacrifice for her family. In return for that sacrifice, her family is rewarded greatly. These themes alone set the retelling of this story apart from others.
While Gregory Maguire’s books are meant to be adult retellings, Robin McKinley intends this story for ages 10 and up, making the themes pertinent for adolescent development rather than clichéd lessons for adults. However, even adults can appreciate Beauty because of its gothic imagery and fantastical mystery that surrounds the Beast’s castle and grounds.
If Beauty has one flaw, it is that it adheres too much to the original story and does not delve as deep into the imagination as McKinley’s talent suggests she could go. However, as it stands, this novel (especially Honor’s distinctive narrative voice) speaks as the voice of reason, meant to teach lessons with imaginative storytelling rather than just entertain by imagination alone. Robin McKinley’s Beauty, the retelling of the story of Beauty and the Beast, is a fantastic book for any child over the age of 10 to read and learn from.
To visit Robin McKinley's official website, click here
McKinley, Robin. Beauty. HarperTrophy, 1978. 247 pages. ISBN: 9780064404778
Cover of Beauty
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