Title: The Courtship of Mr. Lyon
Author: Angela Carter
In: The Bloody Chamber and Other Stories by Angela Carter
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Classics, Romance
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Vintage Publishing
Year: 1979
5th sentence, 74th page: The Beast sunk his great head on to his paws.

Bela’s father, after experiencing car trouble, takes advantage of a stranger’s hospitality…

From the first moments, I knew that this was a retelling of Beauty and the Beast. But, what a calm, whimsical and lyrical retelling it was! I really love the way that Carter’s words flow over one another as you read the tale. It makes the process seem so quick and streamlined, and very enjoyable.

I have honestly never read anything with the lyrical smoothness of Carter’s words.

I put down the story of Mr Lyon with a feeling of fulfilment and power. Not only did the Beauty decide her own fate in this story, but the Beast actually needed her to survive and function. A great turning away from the traditional tales of powerless women.

Image source: Goodreads