Beauty and the beast. With an introd. by Andrew Lang

by Charles Lamb, Andrew Lang

This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book.

Genres: Poetry, Childrens, Classics, Fantasy

96 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1886

About the author

Charles Lamb was an English essayist with Welsh heritage, best known for his "Essays of Elia" and for the children's book "Tales from Shakespeare", which he produced along with his sister, Mary Lamb (1764–1847).

Reviews

[Perry Whitford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sparkling adaptation of fairy tale into rhyming verse by lovable early 19th century literary sot, Charles Lamb.

Or is it by Charles Lamb? According to Andrew Lang in his introduction to this edition, published in 1886, seventy-five years after it first appeared anonymously, uncertainty about its authorship remains. Lamb's name is on the original manuscript but he never mentioned having written it, and of course he was an extensive diarist.

The verse is certainly good enough to be his. It follows Beaumont's tale to the letter, except Lamb's enchanted prince is Persian instead of French, which is reflected in the accompanying illustrations. He tells the story with more zest and feeling than the source material, which I read immediately beforehand.

<>"Am I not hideous in your eyes?'
'Your temper's sweet,' she mild replies.
'Yes, but I'm ugly, have no sense:'
'That's better far than vain pretense'
'Try to be happy, and at ease,'
Sigh'd Beast, 'as I will try to please.'
'Your outward form is scarcely seen
Since I arriv'd, so kind you've been."

Apparently the publisher asked Wordsworth to have a stab at first before Lamb did / didn't do it but they couldn't get hold of him, he was off somewhere wandering as lonely as a cloud.

[Marquise · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful blend of Beaumont's rendition with teeny-tiny bits from Villeneuve, plus Lamb's own.

[Victoria Pring · Rating 3 out of 5]

This version was all told in verse which was definitely not my favouriteway to read this story. While I enjoyed the story itself I wasn't fond of the poetry. I did appreciate they bothered to give the beast a name, that isnt always guaranteed in these earlier versions. Beauty's sisters are awful which is accurate to the original. It is interesting to see how some versions are able to stay close to the source material but make the telling entirely their own. While this is certainly not the best version ive read it was certainly memorable.

[Marina De Pina-Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading a vintage fairy tale in prose brings the magic alive. So beautiful and fairly easy to understand despite the old English style.

[C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

the best fairytale to ever do it

[Kara Garza · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a copy of this that was printed in England in 1955. I adore it. Beauty and the Beast is one of my favorite fairy tales.

[Janeen-san · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of differences from the Disney cartoon! :P
I loved this. It was great. Read for school, really glad I did! My favorite character was the Beast, he was great. :D

[JennaYee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I mean, it's beauty and the beast, cute, simple, classic.