Lucinda Belinda Melinda McCool
Summary:
The protagonist is obsessed with looking pretty and does not mind telling others what they should do to make themselves look better. One day, she meets a monster who she finds cannot be changed by being made look pretty on the outside.
Edited by: Dublin City University
Comment:
The book is in many ways a cautionary tale with the message that appearances are not important. However, its gruesome and anarchic end, where the protagonist is eaten by a monster instead of learning her lesson, removes much of the moralistic tone. Significantly, the text focuses on how cruel and unnecessary it is to comment on the appearances of others and encourages the refusal of commenting negatively on others’ bodies and appearances.