Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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36 of 38 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
I don't understand what there is to criticise!, 9 April 2002
I was utterly absorbed and enchanted by this novel, and greatly preferred it to the author's earlier work, Beauty (which is also a retelling of the Beaty and the Beast legend). Whilst several of the other reviewers seem to have felt that it lacked charm of the earlier work, I personally found Rose Daughter to be intelligent, magical and above all, excellently written. Whilst the herione of this novel is certainly not as tom-boyish as that of the earlier work, I feel that her quality of gentleness makes her a refreshing character. In the past, I'll admit, it was usual for female protagonists to be dull and lady-like, but nowadays the "spunky" herione is just as much of a cliche. The herione of this work is a full character, not a stereotype, and so has a MIXTURE of "old-fashioned" and "modern" character traits.
I also found the ending to "Rose Daughter" supremely satisfying, since I had often wished that the story had an end which justified the moral of the story better. Robin McKinley's writing is always good, but this is my favourite of her books, apart perhaps from "Deerskin".
Perhaps the essential difference between "Rose Daughter" and "Beauty" is that "Rose Daughter" has a more mature tone, which is closer to that of "Deerskin", and whilst it may disappoint those who read "Beauty" many years ago, and who hoped unreasonably that "Rose Daughter" would be an extension or enlargement the earlier story, I found the overal effect enchanting.
The dream-like quality of the writing gives it a sense of half-hidden purposes and meanings, whilst the diffence in timings between outside and inside the beast's territory only adds to beauty and intensity of the developing love between the girl and the beast.
Frankly, I am at a loss to understand the criticism this book has recieved from other reviewers, and I would highly recommend this book to almost any reader.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Rosy yet empty, 7 Mar 2007
I guess there's a reason why authors rarely retell the same story twice -- it's not going to be as good one of those times. Sadly this is the case with "Rose Daughter," Robin McKinley's second adaptation of the traditional Beauty and the Beast fairy tale. It overflows with pretty images and words, but there doesn't seem to be a lot underneath them.
Beauty's mother died when she was only a tiny child, leaving her with only the memory of roses. Because magicians failed to predict her mother's death in a riding accident, her father turned against magic completely, even though it ruined his business. Then one of his ships turns up again. When the father asks his daughters what they want, Beauty only asks for a rose.
But that rose comes with a price -- her father takes it from the garden of a strange Beast, who demands that Beauty be sent to his palace. Beauty goes voluntarily, if reluctantly. But she finds that the Beast is actually peaceful and gentle, and asks her to marry him regularly. So, of course, Beauty must unravel the curse that keeps him a Beast.
Robin McKinley started her career with "Beauty," a version of "Beauty and the Beast" that let us see Beauty not as a vapid victim, but as a strong, intelligent young woman. The problem with "Rose Daughter" is simple: It runs along a lot of the same story tracks, and adds nothing except a few pretty turns of phrase and some peculiar subplots that lead nowhere.
Her writing is truly exquisite -- McKinley definitely has a way with descriptions and evocation. "Rose Daughter" is verbally lush as few fantasy books successfully are. If there had been a plot to go with it, then this might have been a worthy classic.
Unfortunately, it's a thin retread of the fairy tale, with few new twists and turns; the flower theme is virtually McKinley's only new addition to B&B lore. There are quite a few moments which seem lifted from McKinley's debut, such as the Beast repeatedly asking Beauty to marry him. Both of the lead characters are almost absurdly thin; the Beast never develops a personality, and Beauty never shows a single strong or recognizable feeling. She drifts through like an emotional ghost.
"Rose Daughter" could have been an intriguing, lush look at the traditional fairy tale; instead it feels like an overstretched "Beauty Redux." McKinley's prose is exceptional, but everything else fades away.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointing, compared to "Beauty", 30 Jun 1999
By A Customer
"Beauty" was one of the first fantasy books I ever read, and remains my favorite to this day. I anticipated "Rose Daughter" eagerly, hoping for a retelling that would flesh out the characters and the setting while retaining the soul-deep appeal of the Beauty character and the supporting cast. Although McKinley dedicates more words to the world of these characters, she has reduced Beauty from a powerful, wonderful, sensitive, strong character to something of a simp, someone who lacks a backbone and any strong-mindedness. Instead of determining the course of her life and fighting for herself, as she does in "Beauty," she really just goes with the flow, exhibiting very little spunk, or indeed, energy. She seems to be more of a context for the story than an actual character. Her interest in gardening is wonderful, but that is the ONLY dimension to her character here. At least the original Beauty was capable of having a bit of fun...Otherwise, McKinley's language and writing is beautiful, as expected, and the supporting cast is OK, if neglected. The castle is wonderfully drawn (the rooftop painting by the Beast is especially appealing), though the march of wildlife back to the castle became a bit predictable. All in all, I'd advise fans of this particular story (Beauty and the Beast) to read this book for the sake of a different perspective. All McKinley fans, fairy-tale fans and readers in general should stick to the original.
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