Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty & The Beast by Robin McKinley

Genre: Fantasy, Youth
Length: 247 pages

Reviewed by: Willow Locksley

“It’s said there’s a castle in a wild garden at the centre of these woods; and if you ever walk into the trees till you are out of sight of the edge of the forest and you can see nothing but big dark trees all around you, you will be drawn to that castle; and in the castle there lives a monster.”

Robin McKinley takes a closer look at themes of beauty and honor within the pages of Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty & The Beast. Beauty is the youngest of three sisters, and also the plainest. Having more interest in books than society, she is the least affected when her father’s merchant business crashes. Beauty and her family remove to the country where they are warmly met by the quaint community. The family is at ease until, by seemingly great misfortune, Beauty’s father finds himself lost within the ominous wood outside of their dwelling. This triggers of series of events that will lead Beauty to a mysterious castle and its startling occupant, who ends each evening with the words, “Beauty, will you marry me?”

Few girls of a high-hearted nature would refuse, if given the opportunity, to free a handsome prince from his curse by simply agreeing to marry him, and McKinley speaks to the hearts of us all in her retelling of this classic fable. Her lush style is captivating and never tedious, often giving you cause to reflect – if of course you’re willing to pause in your reading long enough to do so. Her talent is such that, far from having to shock readers by reconstructing the storyline, she succeeds in giving new life and depth to a familiar story.

This book probes human emotions without raising serious moral questions. Beauty’s family is loving, and together they work diligently to keep each other close and their home prosperous. The Beast confesses that it was his own pride and error that lead to his becoming a monster, and Beauty struggles between concern for him and fear of him. The castle itself is described as magical (i.e. invisible servants, doors that open themselves, etc.) and at one point the Beast, by indeterminate means, shows Beauty images of her family living safe and sound in her absence. Outright sorcery is never illustrated, and so I believe the magic found here is pretty harmless. The only reference to religion of any kind comes in the form of a young minister who wishes to marry one of Beauty’s sisters.

I certainly think of this book as giving new meaning to the word charming, with its velveteen rosebuds and groggy candlesticks. Also pleasing is McKinley’s variation in Beauty’s appearance – it is an inner loveliness and integrity of spirit that brings forth her true beauty (versus the one-inch waist and disproportionate facial features you’ll find elsewhere). All in all, it is a very worthwhile way to spend an evening or two, and certainly one of McKinley’s best.