Beauty (Folktales, #1)

by Robin McKinley

My intellectual abilities gave me a release, and an excuse. I shunned company because I preferred books;

I worked and studied with passionate dedication, lived in hope, and avoided society and mirrors.

I was frightened of the unknown that we faced, and of our ignorance; but I had never been afraid of hard work, I had no beauty to lose, nor would there be any wrench at parting from high society.