Book Description
I am a beast.
A beast. Not quite wolf or bear, gorilla or dog but a horrible new creature who walks upright—a creature with fangs and claws and hair springing from every pore. I am a monster.
You think I'm talking fairy tales? No way. The place is New York City. The time is now. It's no deformity, no disease. And I'll stay this way forever—ruined—unless I can break the spell.
Yes, the spell, the one the witch in my English class cast on me. Why did she turn me into a beast who hides by day and prowls by night? I'll tell you. I'll tell you how I used to be Kyle Kingsbury, the guy you wished you were, with money, perfect looks, and the perfect life. And then, I'll tell you how I became perfectly . . . beastly.
Review
BEASTLY is a modern retelling of the classic Beauty and The Beast fairy tale, but told from the perspective of the Beast. It was the trailer for the upcoming movie adaptation hitting theaters on July 30, 2010(see trailer below) that sparked my interest in this story.
Unfortunately, the inevitable HEA for the couple was almost totally bereft of romance. They share several sweet moments together, but Kyle has this raging insecurity about his appearance (FYI Kyle looks like a wookie in the book compared to the much cooler scarred look in the movie) coupled with his desperation to break the curse that he is always painfully tentative with his prospective Beauty. Beauty, on the other hand, displays some admirable feistiness when she is first sent to the Beast (but the whole concept of her captivity didn't work in this modern setting), but she acclimates way too quickly and settles into a one note personality that Stepford would approve of.
Kyle's blind tutor Will (played by Neil Patrick Harris in the movie) who was funny and observant, and the cook/housekeeper Magda who was endearing and unassuming were great supporting characters, especially before Beauty arrives. In fact, I actually liked BEASTLY much better before the romance started (never thought I'd say that).
BEASTLY is an extremely faithful modernization of the fairy tale, almost too faithful. As it is, if you've ever seen the Disney version, you already know nearly every plot point in BEASTLY. I still really want to see the movie version. I'm hopeful that they will be able to inject some much needed romance into the story and take the overall plot risks that could have elevated the book into something special.
Sexual Content: References to sex. References to Rape. Kissing.
My Rating (out of 5):Okay – Somewhat disappointing with significant flaws. Library/swap/borrow if you want.
Click HERE to read an excerpt of BEASTLY
Movie Trailer – In theaters on July 30, 2011
Product Details
Reading level: Young Adult - Hardcover: 320 pages
- Publisher: HarperTeen (October 2, 2007)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0060874163
- ISBN-13: 978-0060874162
- Cover Art: N/A
Disagree with my review? Contact me with your review for this or any other book I’ve reviewed and I might use it for 2nd Opinion Review.
I have this one, tried a couple of times to read it, but so far it has not "taken" if you know what I mean, though the movie looks really good, so I cant wait to see that! Great review, maybe I should give it another try, I mean my fav. Disney movie is Beauty and the Beast! :D
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the book! it is my new fav book! ( well after Enola Holmes that is)! I love the story. this book is true magic! one of the best books I have ever read.
ReplyDeletethe movie looks GREAT. and the book is GREAT!!!!!!
Book Crazy Jenn - I know exactly what you mean. Hopefully we'll both like the mover better :)
ReplyDeletedaydreamerN - so what did you think of the book? Kidding. I'm glad you enjoyed it so much, I just needed more. I agree that the movie does look great.
I really liked this book. It was very much a 'Beauty and the Beast' template, but I think it was an admirable modernization for the teen audience.
ReplyDeleteThe film, on the otherhand, looks like it butchered the book.
Vanessa Hudgens as the love interest? Seriously!? In the book she's a gap-toothed redhead... how does that translate to Zac Efron's gf?
Danielle - The book and the movie are clearly very different. But for me, this looks like a rare occasion when I might actually prefer the movie.
ReplyDeleteNow that I have wrestled the laptop back from my husband I can catch up on here. I have debated about reading this book for years now, partly due to the Disney movie but also because of the different POV from the Beast. Although Abigail certainly did not say she disliked Beastly it would be interesting for the posters who have said they enjoyed the book to do the second opinion review thing that she offers here on her site, so we readers can get the opposing reasons for and against.
ReplyDeleteOn another note has anyone ever seen the classic French version of this film? It was done to help give the French people a fantasy escape after the devastation of WWII (which for me makes it an even more amazing film) and Disney said they modeled their Beast after this one and used many other elements to make the beloved Disney classic.
FurryReader - I so appreciate your insight here, and I'll reiterate the offer for 2nd opinion reviews. I haven't seen the French version, but historical context is very cool. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Abigail. Because liking or disliking a book is a subjective thing, reading opposing reviews is one of the things I appreciate about Amazon's review system. I think it is wonderful that you welcome alternate points of view to your reviews, it shows more concern for the book instead of for your reviews (if that makes sense). Hopefully the earlier posters or others who really enjoyed the book will give us their review, please.
ReplyDeleteRegarding the film, I lucked out and just watched it again two weeks ago on TCM (Turner Classic Movies). In case you are interested, it is titled Beauty and the Beast, 1946 (I believe). It is black and white with English subtitles but please don't let that deter anyone who loves the story and especially the Disney version. This is not a musical however, but in a way it is a darker version, which could be due to enduring WWII. I don't want to say anymore and spoil anything. I am glad you appreciate the "historical context" as you so aptly put it, it will be even more amazing when you see it and what was accomplished given the time, place and resources available.
FurryReaders - I love the pos/neg review system that Amazon uses. So helpful. Ideally I'd like to have 2nd opinion reviews for all the books on this site, but I don't get many submissions anymore.
ReplyDeleteGreat info about the old film version of Beauty & the Beast. Thanks!