Beastly by Alex Finn

The first book I will write about is Beastly by Alex Finn, a young adult (YA) modern retelling of the classic story of 'Beauty and the Beast.' The novel was published in 2007 by the company HarperTeen; in 2011 it was made into a motion picture that was distributed by CBS Films and Alliance Films.

I personally believe that the movie did not do the book justice.

The back of the book reads as follows:

" A beast. Not quite wolf or gorilla or dog, but a horrible new creature with fangs, claws, and hair springing from every pore. I am a walking monster.

You think I'm talking fairy tales? No way. The place is New York City. The time is now. And I'll stay this way forever-- unless I can break this 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 how I used to be Kyle Kingsbury, the guy you wish you were, with money, perfect looks, the perfect girl, and the perfect life. And then, I'll tell you how I became perfectly...beastly."

 As the back says, our story is about a boy named Kyle Kingsbury. In the book we follow Kyle on his journey from Mr. Perfect-and-Popular to Beast.

A Brief Re-Telling
We have all at least once read or heard the story of Beauty and the Beast. The Beast is an enchanted man living in a solitary castle. He was turn into a beast by a witch or enchantress because he was selfish or had no empathy. The only way he could break the curse was to find a woman who could look past his uglyness and truly love him. Then and only then would the curse be broken.

Similarly, in Beastly, Kyle Kingsbury is the son of a well known news anchor, is completely gorgeous, but with a rotten attitude. His favorite past time is to torture the "fuglies" and "nobodies" as he calls them. Then one day, as everybody is casting their ballots for a spring dance court, a girl speaks against the reason which society's rules are based upon: physical beauty. Little does Kyle know that this girl would also be the one to cast a spell on him the night of the dance.

Kyle, being transformed into a horrifying beast, gets first hand experienced on what it feels like to be at the bottom of the social food chain. He is shunned by his father and sent away to live with the family maid and a blind tutor. The witch gave Kyle one chance to break the spell: have someone fall in love with him, truly love him, prove it by a kiss to the lips, and all under two years.

The witch also gives him a magically enhanced mirror. The mirror will show him anyone who he asks to see. It will show their location and what that person is doing. He messes around with the mirror, and one day, while asking to see every person listed in his former school's yearbook,  sees  the girl who will be the Beauty to his Beast.

Commentary & Personal Take Back

The story is an easy read. It is written firstly for teenage girls, but anyone who enjoys a romance and or fantasy will find it agreeable. At times it can be found predictable but the overall diction and imagery of the book is appealing and enjoyable. The symbolism is subtly and nicely done. The comic relief of the chat room pages are welcome and a good place to take a break ( if you read the book, you will know what I mean).

The theme of the novel is classic one but it still true no matter who tells or writes it : Physical beauty is not all that matters.

I would give this book a 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Comments
If you diagree with my rating let me know and tell me why. If you think the novel sounds like a good read, just go check it out and send me a review of it when you are done. :) I would really like to know what you think of it.

Until next time my fellow bookworms!!