![]() ![]() The lesson of Beauty and the Beast is not one of loss of freedom or being worn down by one's captor it's rather a tale of growth of understanding and maturity and, yes, of Honor and duty - not particularly popular character traits in modern culture! Yet, we keep telling and reimagining these ancient tales. ![]() When dealing with ancient fairy tales, I believe this is a mistake. Several reviewers mention Stockholm syndrome. McKinley is adept at creating characters - and at describing and bringing to life mundane family life and a magical world. Although financial misfortune brings them down in the world, this marvelously-portrayed group of people become an emotionally and financially supportive unit - no misfits here. We spend a good portion of the book in this very real and very down-to-earth family. Beauty may not be as attractive as her sisters, and she is more interested in books, but her role in a growing family is complete and necessary. This is one of my favorite aspects of McKinley's retelling. She is a vital part of a caring family, not simply the adored daughter of an old man. Unlike in the Disney (and many other) versions, Beauty is not really an outsider or a misfit. Robin McKinley creates a wonderful re-interpretation of the classic story here. ![]() So, she did have another name! And what better name than Honor. ![]()
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