Beauty A Retelling Of Beauty And The Beast
Beauty and the Beast is a classic fairy tale that has been retold countless times. However, one of the most popular and beloved retellings is "Beauty" by Robin McKinley. Published in 1978, this novel won the prestigious Newbery Medal and has been a favorite among readers young and old for decades.
The Plot
The story follows Beauty, a young woman who is the youngest of three sisters. When their father loses his fortune, the family is forced to move to the countryside and live a simpler life. One day, their father stumbles upon a mysterious castle and decides to take a rose from the garden as a gift for his daughter. As punishment for his theft, the Beast who lives in the castle demands that he send one of his daughters to live with him. Beauty volunteers to go in her father's place and begins her life at the castle.
As time goes on, Beauty and the Beast develop a friendship that eventually turns into love. However, their happiness is threatened by outside forces who do not understand the Beast's true nature. Beauty must fight for her love and prove that the Beast is not the monster he is believed to be.
The Characters
One of the strengths of "Beauty" is the depth of its characters. Beauty herself is a strong, independent woman who values intelligence and courage above physical beauty. She is not afraid to stand up for herself and those she cares about, even when it means going against societal norms.
The Beast, meanwhile, is a complex character who is much more than his appearance suggests. He is kind and intelligent, with a love for books and learning. He is also deeply lonely and longing for someone to see beyond his exterior and appreciate him for who he is.
Other characters in the novel include Beauty's sisters, who are jealous of her relationship with the Beast, and various members of the castle staff who are also under the Beast's curse.
The Themes
One of the main themes of "Beauty" is the importance of inner beauty over physical beauty. Beauty herself is not conventionally beautiful, but her intelligence and kindness make her attractive to those around her. The Beast is the ultimate example of this theme, as his true nature is not reflected in his appearance.
Another theme is the power of love to transform people. Beauty's love for the Beast changes him from a lonely and bitter creature into a kind and loving one. This theme is also explored in the relationships between other characters in the novel.
The Writing Style
Robin McKinley's writing style is both simple and elegant. She weaves together descriptions of the natural world with dialogue and action to create a vivid and immersive reading experience. Her characters are fully-realized and relatable, with flaws and strengths that make them feel like real people.
One of the most notable aspects of her writing is her use of fairy tale motifs and imagery. "Beauty" is filled with references to other fairy tales, as well as the archetypes and symbols that are common to the genre. This gives the novel a timeless quality that makes it a classic even decades after its initial publication.
Conclusion
"Beauty" is a retelling of a classic fairy tale that manages to be both faithful to the original story and unique in its own right. With its memorable characters, powerful themes, and beautiful writing, it is a novel that will stay with readers long after they finish it. Whether you are a fan of fairy tales, romance, or simply great storytelling, "Beauty" is a book that is not to be missed.