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Beauty and the Beast
"You've got to get the girl to fall in love with you!"
The Beast's only chance to break the spell is for him to fall in love with Belle and earn her love in return.
The Beast's only chance to break the spell is for him to fall in love with Belle and earn her love in return.
48 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1872
309 people are currently reading
1818 people want to read
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Unknown
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Books whose authorship is purposefully withheld should be attributed instead to Anonymous.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
November 22, 2017
I'm a fan of Disney's Beauty and the Beast. It's one of those stories that has been told over and over again, so I decided to read this version.
When Beauty's father takes a rose to give to his youngest daughter, a Beast comes out of nowhere and demands the merchant send his daughter to him. Of course the merchant doesn't want to because he loves his child. But unlike her sisters, Beauty is willing to do whatever it takes to help her father and goes to the hideous Beast willingly. And because her heart is in the right place, she sees beyond the outer shell and into the very heart of the Beast...
So romantic, right?
I was surprised at how short this story was and expected it to be rushed, but it really wasn't. Although it is short and gets to each point very quickly, it still felt right.
This is just one of those stories that while being told/read seems like it's missing too many details but, when you think about it afterwards, everything totally fits and becomes SO MUCH more in your mind.
Even as I write this and recall how quickly Beauty falls for the Beast and vice versa, it feels real. Love at first sight might be a trope people dislike these days*, but it doesn't mean it can't be a beautiful way to tell a story. And I think it totally works here.
The differences between this one and the Disney version are many--the bookish love, the sisters, the villain, the circumstances, the household servants, the rose--but the essence of the story is there. This will always be a love story about seeing past the way someone looks, and about two strangers finding safety in each other. Not to mention that Beauty is kind-hearted, devoted to her father, and willing to get to know the Beast no matter what he looks like.
Yeah, there's a nice moral to this story.
It might not be the most detailed tale. It might seem rushed in some places. But the heart of what makes Beauty and the Beast a timeless classic we'll continue to retell, and one of my favourites, is still right there.
🖤
* Personally, I have no problem with love at first sight and insta-love. 😀
When Beauty's father takes a rose to give to his youngest daughter, a Beast comes out of nowhere and demands the merchant send his daughter to him. Of course the merchant doesn't want to because he loves his child. But unlike her sisters, Beauty is willing to do whatever it takes to help her father and goes to the hideous Beast willingly. And because her heart is in the right place, she sees beyond the outer shell and into the very heart of the Beast...
So romantic, right?
I was surprised at how short this story was and expected it to be rushed, but it really wasn't. Although it is short and gets to each point very quickly, it still felt right.
This is just one of those stories that while being told/read seems like it's missing too many details but, when you think about it afterwards, everything totally fits and becomes SO MUCH more in your mind.
Even as I write this and recall how quickly Beauty falls for the Beast and vice versa, it feels real. Love at first sight might be a trope people dislike these days*, but it doesn't mean it can't be a beautiful way to tell a story. And I think it totally works here.
The differences between this one and the Disney version are many--the bookish love, the sisters, the villain, the circumstances, the household servants, the rose--but the essence of the story is there. This will always be a love story about seeing past the way someone looks, and about two strangers finding safety in each other. Not to mention that Beauty is kind-hearted, devoted to her father, and willing to get to know the Beast no matter what he looks like.
Yeah, there's a nice moral to this story.
It might not be the most detailed tale. It might seem rushed in some places. But the heart of what makes Beauty and the Beast a timeless classic we'll continue to retell, and one of my favourites, is still right there.
🖤
* Personally, I have no problem with love at first sight and insta-love. 😀
December 29, 2011
I adore the Disney version of Beauty and the Beast. It has to be my favorite Disney Princess movie. I was gifted a Kindle for Christmas, found this book version (for free even!), and read it immediately. It was interesting to see what the original tale was and compare and contrast as I read the two versions. I enjoyed reading this version and will more than likely reread it at some point in the future. It is a simple text, very easy to understand, but the ideas and plot are good all the same. It was worth it to simply to see the origin of the Disney version.
December 14, 2011
I love everything Beauty and the Beast. My goal in life is to read every version on the story
April 3, 2016
A sweet and enjoyable story, but like all fairy tales, is different than the Walt Disney version of it.
January 21, 2012
I haven't read the original story of Beauty and the Beast since I was in elementary school. I decided to download a copy to my Kindle and reread it as an adult.
Having seen the Disney version of the book when I was young, I knew the differences were going be significant. I had also seen an episode of Happily Ever After about the story, so I knew it was going to be more like that episode.
I remembered why I loved this story as a kid. A beautiful woman, both inside and outside, falls in love with a man whose outward appearance is not attractive. And she sees his inner beauty, his kindness of soul, instead of judging him based on his outer looks. While her sisters are selfish women who wouldn't offer to go to the castle and live with the beast instead of their sick, aging father, Beauty does go because she loves her father.
In the end, happiness reigns, which is always a nice ending.
Obviously, in this there is no evil Lothario who is hellbent on marrying Beauty and sticking her father in some mental institution. And the Beast is overbearing, but he's hospitable, which is quite a change from the Disney movie. And the Beast pretty much likes/loves Beauty from the moment she steps into his home. He doesn't yell at her, or frighten her. And he offers her the opportunity to leave and return when she chooses, even though he wants to marry her.
Anyway, a great story with a great message. I enjoyed rereading this.
Having seen the Disney version of the book when I was young, I knew the differences were going be significant. I had also seen an episode of Happily Ever After about the story, so I knew it was going to be more like that episode.
I remembered why I loved this story as a kid. A beautiful woman, both inside and outside, falls in love with a man whose outward appearance is not attractive. And she sees his inner beauty, his kindness of soul, instead of judging him based on his outer looks. While her sisters are selfish women who wouldn't offer to go to the castle and live with the beast instead of their sick, aging father, Beauty does go because she loves her father.
In the end, happiness reigns, which is always a nice ending.
Obviously, in this there is no evil Lothario who is hellbent on marrying Beauty and sticking her father in some mental institution. And the Beast is overbearing, but he's hospitable, which is quite a change from the Disney movie. And the Beast pretty much likes/loves Beauty from the moment she steps into his home. He doesn't yell at her, or frighten her. And he offers her the opportunity to leave and return when she chooses, even though he wants to marry her.
Anyway, a great story with a great message. I enjoyed rereading this.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 29, 2016
There were a few similarities and a few differences between this edition and the disney movie. Both have their enchantments and both are fun.
May 27, 2012
Very short, but it's still Beauty and the Best
Want to read
March 6, 2014nutty nuut
df121
df121
December 21, 2019
Condensed classic tale
I seem to remember this fairy tale being longer but this short version is interesting . One thing to note is the beast in this tale is considerably kinder and sweeter to beauty in this story than he is in the Disney cartoon. Also the two jealous sisters of beauty seem a bit out of place but I suppose they exist to showcase how sweet beauty is. Either way, it's a good idea to read this tale to get a taste of the classic original.
I seem to remember this fairy tale being longer but this short version is interesting . One thing to note is the beast in this tale is considerably kinder and sweeter to beauty in this story than he is in the Disney cartoon. Also the two jealous sisters of beauty seem a bit out of place but I suppose they exist to showcase how sweet beauty is. Either way, it's a good idea to read this tale to get a taste of the classic original.
April 21, 2018
I'm not used to such a slow paced story, especially when this was meant to be a short story of an old tale. However, once I got used to the pace and occasional Russian words, the story was beautiful. There is little to no magic, the story is driven by pure emotion which can be considered magic in itself. I loved it. My favourite character was Miska (mouse in Russian), the bear.
Read
January 7, 2021This was not what I thought it would be. It was a few pages long and a tale of Beauty and the Beast I have read in other collections. I've read many different versions of Beauty and the Beast and was hoping this was a full length novel, not just a very brief short story. Still, it's one of my favorite tales when given room to grow.
August 22, 2018
Disappointing
The shortest version I have read and poor...what makes the story so wonderful is the detail..the vivid descriptions of the world beauty comes from and the Palace of the Beast which becomes her new home! I want to write my own version of this classic tale!
The shortest version I have read and poor...what makes the story so wonderful is the detail..the vivid descriptions of the world beauty comes from and the Palace of the Beast which becomes her new home! I want to write my own version of this classic tale!
March 28, 2020
Cute short story
I have seen several movies, tv shows, ballets, and musicals based on this, but it's my first time reading the actual short story. It seemed a bit rushed, but it is the perfect length for a bedtime story.
I have seen several movies, tv shows, ballets, and musicals based on this, but it's my first time reading the actual short story. It seemed a bit rushed, but it is the perfect length for a bedtime story.
July 19, 2020
Looking for the original story. Hoping this will help me to see the correct story. Giving a review this early in the book does not give a great review.
Hoping this will help me to see the correct story. Giving a review this early in the book does not give a great review.
Hoping this will help me to see the correct story. Giving a review this early in the book does not give a great review.
July 18, 2021
Disney embellished this story... a LOT
It took 5 minutes or less to read. Disney just expanded on what was already there. Trimmed the fat on other things. Did you know she had 2 sisters? Me neither.
It took 5 minutes or less to read. Disney just expanded on what was already there. Trimmed the fat on other things. Did you know she had 2 sisters? Me neither.
June 16, 2017
Good
For the tbftbvr g th th t g f th f h f h f y. G g t g
For the tbftbvr g th th t g f th f h f h f y. G g t g
November 14, 2017
I saw the Disney movie version of this story when I was little and I loved it. I just read this version of the story and I enjoyed it. Beauty And The Beast is my favorite Disney movie.
January 4, 2018
Yes, the book is indeed short but it is still sweet and cute even though it is different than the Disney version.
March 24, 2018
Surprised
Surprised the author is unknown. Very plain, to the point, basic Beauty and the Beast. So you can say, "the original story has no sword fighting", without arguments.
Surprised the author is unknown. Very plain, to the point, basic Beauty and the Beast. So you can say, "the original story has no sword fighting", without arguments.
April 18, 2018
Loved reading the original.
January 3, 2019
Beauty of a Beast
While very traditional in its appearance this version of the story is more entertaining than other versions, as well as, being more brief than other versions.
While very traditional in its appearance this version of the story is more entertaining than other versions, as well as, being more brief than other versions.
December 12, 2019
Not like Disney
Belle is a very self centered entitled girl, but Beauty has a true beauty of soul. The beast is also not beastly of character, unlike the cartoon.
Belle is a very self centered entitled girl, but Beauty has a true beauty of soul. The beast is also not beastly of character, unlike the cartoon.
July 21, 2020
I have no idea what I just read but it was t Beauty and the Beast.
August 19, 2020
Not as I thought
Very short and different from the original, but still tells a romantic princess story. This is more like a kids book.
Very short and different from the original, but still tells a romantic princess story. This is more like a kids book.
April 20, 2022
My favorite
I just love beauty and the beast. It's always been my favorite. I love this one because it's short. It still has all the good stuff.
I just love beauty and the beast. It's always been my favorite. I love this one because it's short. It still has all the good stuff.
September 2, 2022
A good summary of the movie.
May 25, 2024
Bedtime story
Great bedtime story to read with my child. Descriptive language and not too long. A bit different from the Disney version but still great
Great bedtime story to read with my child. Descriptive language and not too long. A bit different from the Disney version but still great
December 27, 2024
Quick Read.
I had this book for years and never knew the non Disney version! Very quick read and very different than what i expected.
I had this book for years and never knew the non Disney version! Very quick read and very different than what i expected.
February 9, 2025
Cute short story
February 3, 2017
Felt like the SparkNotes version
Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews