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3.56 AVERAGE
3.56 AVERAGE
Pleasantly surprised by the end. Disney’s retelling feels lacking once you’ve read the original fairytale.
This is one of my favorite tales, and this illustrated version was great. I didn't know the original story was this interesting though, so I love it even more.
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
So different from the Disney version, in a good way! It's more a morality tale of judging by actions rather than appearance, and valuing the mind over beauty. The romance is built on respect and compassion. For being from the 1700s, it's downright feminist.
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
The reviews were not kidding about this story going off the rails at the halfway point. The first half is the story as we're generally familiar with it - especially if you've ever read the more readily available abridged version. I liked the extra details about the Beast (he has scales? And an elephant tusk?) as well as the increased thematic focus of judging by actions, not by appearances. The dream sections are a bit of a mixed bag - we don’t really hear why Beauty has fallen for this dream boy, just that he compliments her a lot and that they spent a lot of time in the dreamscape - but I did like how it wrapped back around to the story’s theme through her choice. Was she going to continue living in a fantasy that may or may not be true, or was she going to commit to the real life individual that she truly cared for?
And it was great, until the second half of the story decides to bend over backwards to justify an incredibly convoluted plot twist to make Beauty royalty all along. All that stuff about being a good person and judging by actions and not appearance? Forget about it! It’s just because she was secretly royal, and royalty is always good. Please do not fact check this pre-revolution French story on this. And definitely do not side eye the fairy who knowingly set up two cousins. That’s just how royalty was back then. Because they were so pure of heart. (Please read the past several sentences with heavy sarcasm.)
In any case, I’m glad I finally read the full version if only to have the context for why the second half of the story gets tossed out. It turns out that moral hand-wringing about Stockholm Syndrome is not the main concern for OG Beauty and the Beast - it’s royal incest!
And it was great, until the second half of the story decides to bend over backwards to justify an incredibly convoluted plot twist to make Beauty royalty all along. All that stuff about being a good person and judging by actions and not appearance? Forget about it! It’s just because she was secretly royal, and royalty is always good. Please do not fact check this pre-revolution French story on this. And definitely do not side eye the fairy who knowingly set up two cousins. That’s just how royalty was back then. Because they were so pure of heart. (Please read the past several sentences with heavy sarcasm.)
In any case, I’m glad I finally read the full version if only to have the context for why the second half of the story gets tossed out. It turns out that moral hand-wringing about Stockholm Syndrome is not the main concern for OG Beauty and the Beast - it’s royal incest!
It was the weirdest book I’ve ever read. But I enjoyed it. I had some interesting thoughts, but it was still good. So glad I finally got around to reading it!!
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
medium-paced
I am ashamed to say that I am just now reading this book even though beauty and the beast has been my favorite Disney movie for the majority of my life. While disney's belle is a bookworm, beauty is selfless, intelligent and kind-hearted. The beast is a complete transformation from disney's portrayal and I have to say that I much prefer the original version of "the beast." So happy I finally read it.
A film I have seen countless times (both the original and the new versions of course!) however have never actually read the book. Well after owning this amazing edition created by MinaLima I absolutely had to finally get round to reading it!
In this book (if you weren't already aware of the story) we follow a prince who is cursed to become a beast for all time unless he can learn to love and be loved in return. Enter Belle, a beautiful young girl with a heart of gold. She rescues her father from the beast's castle and is forced to stay there forever as punishment. Can the curse be broken?
Like I said before, I absolutely love this film and so was really looking forward to reading the original story. However I quickly realised that the book and film are incredibly different. At the start of the book we learn more about Belle and her family, the story begins to make more sense as to why Belle is so devoted to her father and why she only asked for a rose. I particularly liked this part as it was easy to see how it can class as a fairy tale and explains so many unanswered questions that the film just glazes over.
From there the story for me somewhat slowed, the days became repetitive and had none of the magic of the film. However by no means was it bad, it just didn't live up to my views of the film. At about 3/4 of the way through though and where the film version finishes we find out exactly why the beast was cursed and what happened to all the people that lived there. Where as normally I love any additional information to learn more about the characters I love, this time it just became confusing. I had to reread several parts because so many new characters were introduced in such a short space of time.
Don't get me wrong it was interesting to read the original story and how the film was influenced by it. However for me it just lacked something special, maybe it was because I hold the film in such high regard and expected the book to be of the same level but it was different in its own way. I'm torn with reviewing this book, it wasn't a bad book, it was beautifully written and a true fairytale however if you are like me and want it to be as special as the film then I think you'll be disappointed.
Therefore I think ultimately I would recommend this book, it is a good book although a little confusing towards the end. It is a great story and beautifully written. I liked how the fantasy elements were slotted into the story making it sound so natural. If you like fantasy realism then I think you will enjoy this book. However for me it isn't a 5* because I went in to it comparing it to the film which I know is wrong but without my love for the film I never would have picked up the book to begin with.
My advice to you is to go into it with the understanding that it is its own story, it is unlike the film with only some certain parts that are alike. Don't make my mistake and try to compare the two. Also if you can afford it definitely pick up the MinaLima copy, it is beautiful and definitely adds to the beauty of the story.
In this book (if you weren't already aware of the story) we follow a prince who is cursed to become a beast for all time unless he can learn to love and be loved in return. Enter Belle, a beautiful young girl with a heart of gold. She rescues her father from the beast's castle and is forced to stay there forever as punishment. Can the curse be broken?
Like I said before, I absolutely love this film and so was really looking forward to reading the original story. However I quickly realised that the book and film are incredibly different. At the start of the book we learn more about Belle and her family, the story begins to make more sense as to why Belle is so devoted to her father and why she only asked for a rose. I particularly liked this part as it was easy to see how it can class as a fairy tale and explains so many unanswered questions that the film just glazes over.
From there the story for me somewhat slowed, the days became repetitive and had none of the magic of the film. However by no means was it bad, it just didn't live up to my views of the film. At about 3/4 of the way through though and where the film version finishes we find out exactly why the beast was cursed and what happened to all the people that lived there. Where as normally I love any additional information to learn more about the characters I love, this time it just became confusing. I had to reread several parts because so many new characters were introduced in such a short space of time.
Don't get me wrong it was interesting to read the original story and how the film was influenced by it. However for me it just lacked something special, maybe it was because I hold the film in such high regard and expected the book to be of the same level but it was different in its own way. I'm torn with reviewing this book, it wasn't a bad book, it was beautifully written and a true fairytale however if you are like me and want it to be as special as the film then I think you'll be disappointed.
Therefore I think ultimately I would recommend this book, it is a good book although a little confusing towards the end. It is a great story and beautifully written. I liked how the fantasy elements were slotted into the story making it sound so natural. If you like fantasy realism then I think you will enjoy this book. However for me it isn't a 5* because I went in to it comparing it to the film which I know is wrong but without my love for the film I never would have picked up the book to begin with.
My advice to you is to go into it with the understanding that it is its own story, it is unlike the film with only some certain parts that are alike. Don't make my mistake and try to compare the two. Also if you can afford it definitely pick up the MinaLima copy, it is beautiful and definitely adds to the beauty of the story.