[Manabi]

Originally Posted by lkmiller

I'd guess Sheri S. Tepper. I haven't read it, but I've seen it described that way.

Yep, that's it.

Originally Posted by DNSB

The only SF book titled Beauty I can remember reading was by Sherri S. Tepper and my memory does not seem to match your description.

Here's my memories of the events I referenced:

Spoiler:

Beauty is raped repeatedly by one of the guys who takes her to the future. This lasts until she's able to use some magic boots to finally return to the past. She later returns to the future briefly and gets revenge, causing the guy to only able to see the magic world (which is barren in the future) and not the real world he inhabits. (I believe it was more making sure he can't hurt other women than just revenge.)

During the Cinderella portion, one of the "evil stepsisters" chops off part of her own foot trying to make it fit into the glass slippers. This causes her to bleed to death.

Beauty ends up in Hell for a while, protected by others, but still witnessing the horrors. The thing I remember most was how people in hell were forced to act out tales and forcibly made to fit the roles. For example, someone needing to have on high heels had them nailed into their feet. Other than that, I remember how it was a truly horrific place no one would want to experience.

I don't have issues with this stuff being in there, none of it felt gratuitous, it all serviced the plot. I thought the overall plot was really interesting, and it gave me new perspectives on some of the fairy tales. (Like how Cinderella got her name: Ellie of the ashes = Cinderella.) I'd even rate it at least 4 out of 5★, but it's definitely a book I have no interest in rereading.