2026 Reading Challenge
Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast

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

by Robin McKinley

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Answered Questions (14)

I'm debating reading it for the strangest reason. The author. I don't know if I can stand reading about an old author trying to interpret teenagers. Because the thing is, when they were teenagers things were completely different. If someone is younger then they will probably have a better memory of teenagers and they will be a fresh voice who can connect immensely to their readers. Should I give it a chance?
Nicola O'Boyle I can understand where you are coming from, but Robin McKinley was only 26 when this book was published. Also, I'm not sure that the struggles/experie…moreI can understand where you are coming from, but Robin McKinley was only 26 when this book was published. Also, I'm not sure that the struggles/experiences of teenagers change all that much, even if they are from different generations. That's just my opinion, but I would definitely say give it a chance :)(less)
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Am I the only one who read this book and wondered if Disney mined it for ideas for their "Beauty and the Beast" adaptation? There are enough similarities between this book and the movie (Beauty loving books, the huge draft horse, the silverware and dishes and furniture moving by themselves) that it seems more than coincidence.
Pen&Quill Read Yes I agree. None of those similarities you pointed out were in the original telling of B&B. The Blue Fairy Book edition anyway. And Disney Beauty and…moreYes I agree. None of those similarities you pointed out were in the original telling of B&B. The Blue Fairy Book edition anyway. And Disney Beauty and the Beast came out in 1991. (less)
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I'm a little bit worried about getting bored over this book, as it is the original story of Beauty and the Beast. Is it worth the time to read?
Pen&Quill Read I was slightly bord in the beginning of the story it was a lot of back story about beauty's family and life in the city their down fall from great whe…moreI was slightly bord in the beginning of the story it was a lot of back story about beauty's family and life in the city their down fall from great wheath and traveling and getting settled in their new country lives and its like a third of the in to the book by the time she even reaches the castle but its worth it to push through because its a beautiful, glimmering, classic (though its Not the original telling of the tale) version of a great fairy tale with one of the best libraries I've seen (I judge all B&B's by their libraries!)
Keep reading its worth it!(less)
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Is there any kind of romantic relationships in this book? If so is there anything explicit (more than kissing?)
Samantha There are a few romances in the book, but nothing explicit. It's very tame and sweet.…moreThere are a few romances in the book, but nothing explicit. It's very tame and sweet.(less)
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Does this book have any lgbt characters?
Kaitlyn No it does not! Just straight cis romance. They're all kind characters though. So I think the romance is sweet…moreNo it does not! Just straight cis romance. They're all kind characters though. So I think the romance is sweet(less)
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Unanswered Questions (2)

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