Whenever I come across a book by Robin McKinley, I can’t help but pick it up. She’s an author known for her fairy tales and fantasy stories, and she’s won several awards for her work. Her books are filled with magical storytelling, rich language, and compelling characters. Most of her novels are written in the third person, but there’s one exception: “Beauty: A Retelling of Beauty and the Beast.”
Published in 1978, “Beauty” is McKinley’s first novel. It reimagines the classic “Beauty and the Beast” story, a timeless tale about seeing beyond surface appearances. It’s about true beauty, both inside and out. While Beauty is usually portrayed as innately beautiful, this version also shows the Beast softening over time.
In this retelling, Beauty has two sisters, Grace and Hope, who are developed into full characters. There’s no villain here; instead, the story focuses on a close-knit family. It’s really about two people in unusual circumstances learning to adapt. Beauty’s practical mindset and first-person narration add a unique touch, making her personality shine through.
Beauty and her sisters are the daughters of a wealthy merchant. Grace is engaged to Robbie, a young captain who works for their father. A storm at sea ruins the family fortune and leaves Robbie missing. With nothing left, the family moves to the countryside, where Beauty feels more at home. They’re warned to avoid the nearby forest where a beast is said to live.
As with most versions of “Beauty and the Beast,” Beauty’s father gets lost in the forest and picks a rose for his youngest daughter. In this story, both Beauty and Grace offer to go to the Beast, but Beauty ends up at the castle. Over time, she discovers the Beast is not as terrible as he seems, and they become friends. Nightly, the Beast proposes to Beauty, and she refuses each time. As they grow closer, Beauty learns something important she needs to tell her family. Will she see them again, and will she and the Beast fall in love?
Beauty is an engaging and self-aware character who acknowledges her flaws. She sees herself as a plain bookworm, though others, including the Beast, disagree. The most crucial relationship in any retelling is between Beauty and the Beast. Once Beauty realizes she’s safe, she feels sympathy for the Beast. Discovering he’s been alone for years, she tries to befriend him. To her surprise, they share many similarities, even in their sense of humor.
The friendship and slow-building romance between Beauty and the Beast feel natural and believable. It avoids the pitfalls of appearing like Stockholm Syndrome; instead, it’s a genuine transition from friendship to love, although both characters deny their feelings for a while.
The only small critique I have is that the book could have ended slightly earlier. But as a debut novel, “Beauty” is outstanding. It’s a charming, engaging, and romantic retelling of a beloved fairy tale. If you enjoy fairy tales, engaging characters, or love stories that develop over time, you’ll likely appreciate this book.
If this story were adapted into a movie, it would benefit from Robin McKinley’s strong involvement in the screenplay. The narrative voice of Beauty is crucial to the story’s charm. For casting, I imagine Colin Morgan as the Beast, Sarah Bolger as Beauty, Emma Stone as Grace, and Alexandra Daddario as Hope. Diego Luna could be Robbie and Aaron Tveit as Ger, with voices like Felicity Jones and Judi Dench for supporting characters, and someone distinguished like Michael Caine or Alec Baldwin as the father.
Have you read “Beauty”? Who would you cast in a movie adaptation? Let me know your thoughts!
Overall, “Beauty” is a book that dreams are made of, with a romantic story that’s deeply touching. If you’re a fan of well-crafted romance and fairy tales, this one will definitely win your heart.
