Customer Reviews

Beast

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

This book was a first for me, in the sense that I have read a number of renditions of Beauty & the Beast, but have just now read one from the Beast's point of view. Of course, like other Napoli works, it isn't the traditional European/Disney tale we know. Exotic in location and plot, this Beast is not a product of wicked magic, at least not as it normally comes. His sin, pride, is in line with other tellings of this story, but the theme is much more religious and therefore, unique.

As much as I loved both of Robin McKinley's Beauty & Beast novels ("Beauty" and "Rose Daughter"), I was glad to see the exploration of what makes up a beast: violence, hunger, killing. The bloodshed is handled well - nothing graphic or tasteless - but it is not avoided, and this Beast is definitely a carnivore.

Napoli's research is, like always, superb. She has no useless words. "Beast" is a fine successor to "Zel" and other Napoli works. Maybe it didn't strike into my heart as sharply as "Zel" did, but "Beast" has its own beauty.

When I first settled down to read "Beast" I was intrigued by the Persian setting in Napoli's retelling of this classic tale. When Prince Orasmyn offends a faerie, he is cursed to forever roam the earth as a beast. That is, unless he can win the love of a woman. Fleeing his omened death and his fate, Orasmyn leaves his beloved country for India, and ulitmately settles in France.

I give Napoli credit, especially since she is working with material that is already familiar to her readers. Everybody knows that Prince Charming finds Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty awakens, Beast regains his human form. While "Beast" begins and ends strong, I found certain elements of the middle section to be almost disturbing. After Orasmyn flees his mother and father's palace, he encounters two female lionesses. Napoli describes as Orasmyn mates with the two females. Considering that Orasmyn is a lion himself, it's not so disturbing, but since he still thinks like a human and has human thoughts it's borderline bestiality. Furthermore, it's not essential to the plot and not entirely appropriate for a book aimed for twelve year olds. It remains there for shock value more than anything. Aside from my quip with that particular scene, the middle section of the book seriously lags in comparison to the beginning chapters and the chapters following his intorduction to Belle.

My only other issue with this book is something I have encountered in a few of Napoli's works. The ending to "Beast" seems especially rushed. It's as if the book is just moving along fine and then BAM! The End. It left me unsatisfied and frustrated. I mean, of course the reader knows how the story ends, but Napoli didn't make it her own.

The cultural setting of "Beast" is its most entertaining aspect and it is a quick read. The characters are likeable, but somewhat distant. I enjoyed "Beast" alright but it is not a book I could re-read and it is definitely one of my least favorites by Donna Jo Napoli.

Skimmimg through books at the library, I was intrigued by the spine design for "Beast." I started to read it. When I looked up again, after reading through the first six chapters without stopping, hours had gone by. I was DEFINITLEY going to take out this book! It was compelling all the time through. The ending was great, not even rushed like some books I have read.

The beast, in the book, turns into a lion. He is shunned by his hometown of India, and doesn't know where to go, or how to live. By one of his mother's books, he is guided to France where he meets the stunning and sympathetic beauty, and the curse is broken.

Everyone knows the story line of this novel. Still Napoli has redone the story in a greatly creative way. She shows the emotions of the beast as he goes from home to home, not fitting in with a lion pride, and finally residing in an old abandoned French castle. Napoli is one of the first authors who have written this story from the Beast's point of view. The whole time through, I was amazed by her awesome ability to write a great novel. She creates many interesting twists to the tale, such as the beast living in India, and does it in an astoundingly creative way.

I greatly enjoyed this book. It really deserves more than five stars! You HAVE to read it!

I would recommed this book to young adults, because some of the material is mature for younger readers. When younger readers get olsder though, they should really read this book. It was really one of my favorites! Donna Jo Napoli is really a GREAT storyteller!!!

I have been eagerly awaiting this book since the spring when I learned of its impending publication. The wait is over and I am thrilled with this book. Napoli, who has already wooed me with her gems, The Magic Circle and Zel, explores my favorite fairy tale--Beauty and the Beast--in a new and interesting way.

The tale is given to us through the Beast's point of view and begins before the point when the tale usually starts. The Beast struggles with his transformation from human to animal. He seeks beauty and not just in the form of a woman to save him. I do not want to say more and ruin the story. Napoli, a linguist, provides us with not only a beautiful story, but with a book rich with language, although the Beast is deprived of speech. We are also given the opportunity to learn more about Persian and Islamic culture since the Beast is a Persian prince.

This book makes a wonderful companion to Robin McKinley's "Beauty" and "Rose Daughter," two other Beauty and the Beast novels for fairy tale fans.

I picked up this book after seeing it appear on the lists of countless reviewers. Unfortunately, I think they all over-praised it. The book is not bad, mind you, but I didn't feel it warranted such grand accolades.

The first part is heavy on the culture of Persia. A foreign word was used on nearly every page. Learning about other lands is just fine, but this author overdid it (for instance, I don't believe it necessary to include the Persian words for items discussed only once-save this mechanism for more important and relevant information). [The author's academic background in linguistics most likely accounts for the heavy-handed use of foreign language.]

When the prince is turned into a lion and eventually travels to France, the author still wants to educate the reader. However, I found it more easy to swallow here. Why? Because we learn while the character learns. It doesn't feel as force-fed as previously, and I actually enjoyed some of the knowledge I gleaned.

My final complaint has to do with the end of the book. I recognize that the story follows the prince/beast's point of view, but I was still surprised to find Belle didn't appear until nearly the last 25% of the book. I don't think enough time was spent on developing their relationship, and the story ends too abruptly to offer any idea as to how the couple will truly live together now that the secret is out. (For example, will they live in Persia or France?) I just found the end to be entirely dissatisfying.

I hesitate to leave such an unkind review, but I believe future readers have a right to know not only the good but the bad in books. When I hear only praise, it skews my perception going in, and perhaps that is why I was so unimpressed by "Beast." I have read only one other book by the author ("Daughter of Venice") and found it to be much more enjoyable. So, I suppose I would recommend reading it instead unless you wish to read all retellings of "Beauty and the Beast"...or simply don't mind passing the time with a mediocre-to-good book, which is entirely fine if that's your preference.

Skimmimg through books at the library, I was intrigued by the spine design for "Beast." I started to read it. When I looked up again, after reading through the first six chapters without stopping, hours had gone by. I was DEFINITLEY going to take out this book! It was compelling all the time through. The ending was great, not even rushed like some books I have read.

The beast, in the book, turns into a lion. He is shunned by his hometown of India, and doesn't know where to go, or how to live. By one of his mother's books, he is guided to France where he meets the stunning and sympathetic beauty, and the curse is broken.

Everyone knows the story line of this novel. Still Napoli has redone the story in a greatly creative way. She shows the emotions of the beast as he goes from home to home, not fitting in with a lion pride, and finally residing in an old abandoned French castle. Napoli is one of the first authors who have written this story from the Beast's point of view. The whole time through, I was amazed by her awesome ability to write a great novel. She creates many interesting twists to the tale, such as the beast living in India, and does it in an astoundingly creative way.

I greatly enjoyed this book. It really deserves more than five stars! You HAVE to read it!

I would recommed this book to young adults, because some of the material is mature for younger readers. When younger readers get olsder though, they should really read this book. It was really one of my favorites! Donna Jo Napoli is really a GREAT storyteller!!!

After quite a few books by this author in a row, I was beginning to find them tiring and a little 'simple'. This one woke me up again. A young, middle-eastern prince is rich, sheltered, and not too upset with his life. Unfortunately, he is cursed and becomes a lion. The only way for him to return to his old life is to experience the love of a woman. Knowing his fate is death if he remains in his father's park, he escapes to France and plants a garden of his favorite flowers, roses, to lure a woman. When he finally 'catches' one, he finds that it will take more planning than he imagined to keep her, and have her love him. Beautiful, haunting, a reawakening. Spectacular.

I was looking forward to this book for a really long time, and when it came out it really wasn't worth the wait. It was good, but unfortunately, for me, it was one of those books that I get bored with about halfway through. I had to put it down for about a week and then, when I picked it back up, it still was a little boring.

The way that it was in the Beast's point of view was interesting, but I really prefer the more traditional approach to this particular fairy tale. Beauty only came in near the end, and that whole part with the little fox was sad. There was a little too much about Beast traveling to France, and being a vegetarian, those carnivorous scenes that came up periodically made me a little disgusted - and queasy.

This does not mean I will stop being a fan of DJN's. I love her writing style. She has a talent for writing that usually captivates me. I am a long time fan of Zel, Crazy Jack, and Sirena. I think that this and Spinners are her two books that I enjoyed the least. So if this is your first DJN, then try one of her others, I think they are better done. I'm looking forward to her next book!

Donna Jo Napoli makes the heart-wrenching tale of a masked lover come vividly to life through the eyes of the beast. Through those eyes she shows his loneliness, desperation, faith, and hope in a world that will not except him. She meanders her words to express him; how he would talk to humans and live with them and learn to love with them but for the cursed mask that he can never remove. BEAST is passionate and true. It makes you want to cry in sorrow, dance in joy, and sympathize with the beast in his most pitiful moments. Displayed in all it's many shades of color, Donna has turned this simple French fairy tale completely inside out!
BEAST is the story of a young man named Orasmyn. He is still young at the start of the book, but grows immensely by the end. Not in years, though he is older by some count, but in his wisdom and maturity. The scholar prince he once was is transformed quite suddenly in the night following the sacrifice of a defiled camel. This may seem strange to one who knows nothing of the history or customs of Persia... or it's mystical folklore, but you get the picture as you read along.
A recurring theme throughout the book, pride is the cause of Orasmyn's original downfall. Instead of asking someone, his father, the Shah, or the imam, the prayer leader, what should be done, he reasons that a Shah's son must surely know the answer. In the belief that it would be degrading if a prince could not decide justice on his own, Orasmyn makes the grave mistake that will cost him his future. As earlier in the plot, while talking to his mother, the weakness of his prideful nature is shown:
"Orasmyn, I've got a present for you. In my room. A book by Saadi." ...Mother's tone irritates. I pull my hand away. " I don't need help in choosing my reading." "We all need help Orasmyn." "A prince doesn't."
Throughout Orasmyn's trials as a lion, from India to France, he is consistently reminding himself how he needs no one and can take care of himself. With Belle's help, however, his thoughts on this matter are considerably altered:
"The steadfast innocence of Belle would condemn the best of men. And I am far from the best."
Belle is, of course, the beauty who tames the beast in the well-known fable recreated by Disney and so many others. As he comes to know her more and more, Orasmyn gradually accepts Belle's help. At first, it is only in the smallest of ways; the honey cakes she bakes for him. Then, in the sharing of meals and the forming of their friendship. Eventually, the beast in Orasmyn is annihilated by Belle's goodwill, and he comes to realize his love for her that nearly bursts his heart. He learns his final lesson on the last pages of BEAST, when Belle is late in returning from visiting her ailing father, as in the animated version. Orasmyn is deathly afraid she will never come back. In his fear and longing, the lion Orasmyn does not eat or drink, but fasts because he cannot seem to live without Belle. But as she kneels beside his famished form at her return, Orasmyn comes to know how much he truly does need her love. He cannot live without the love of others, as likewise he cannot know all without their help and advice. BEAST is a lesson in growing up, and in learning to relinquish self-pride.
Then there is the matter of the roses. Orasmyn carries with him to France the book his mother wanted him to read, the one he turns down because no one else knows better than the prince what the prince should read. This book is called Gulistan and means "Rose Garden" in Farsi, the language of Persia. Orasmyn loves to garden. His favorite flowers are his gule sourkhs, his roses, and likewise his favorite gardens are his Gulistans. There is one particular garden which he calls his belaq, sacred garden, because that is where he feels most at peace. After traveling for two years, Orasmyn finally arrives in France, the country that he has heard grows the best roses in the world. Because the only way to break the Pari's curse is to be loved by a woman, Orasmyn decides to culture a gulistan at an abandoned castle in order to lure a woman there; for surely the women in France would be happy among roses. But there is an ugliness to roses too; their thorns, sharp as needles. In Belle's eyes, Orasmyn is a rose, pure in heart and overflowing with beauty, Orasmyn's humanity. She is pricked and afraid at first by his thorns, the beast part of him, his terrifying costume and occasional lion temper. But then, as she begins to know him better, Belle falls in love with the being of Orasmyn, and he in love with her, so that his lion masquerade is melted away.

I can't say that I really enjoyed this book. It's a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, a story that I love, but in this case I didn't find that the retelling improved on the story at all. The premise is intriguing enough: this is Beast's story, starting from before he met Beauty and explaining how and why he came to be a Beast. Unfortunately, I thought the reason for his transformation was unsatisfying, the descriptions of his time as a beast were distasteful, and he was a pretty unlikeable character overall.

Beast is set in Persia, and the protagonist is a prince. As his servant is preparing a camel for sacrifice at a religious festival, he notices that the camel has a scar that makes it unfit for this sacrifice. The servant has no alternative camel ready, an oversight that could result in a severe penalty, possibly even death. The prince, who has a good heart and a dislike for the suffering of others, weighs the risks and benefits and decides that the camel should be sacrificed despite the flaw. This will save the servant and help the people, who receive portions of the meat. And, he reasons, God is merciful.

It's not entirely clear why this reasoning breaks down. The prince is turned into a beast (a lion, in particular) not by God, but by the angry spirit of the camel. I can't honestly say why the camel was angry, because it wasn't explained what exactly happens to an animal that is sacrificed inappropriately. For whatever reason, though, the prince is punished for his attempt to do good by being turned into a lion, and the curse will only be broken if he wins a woman's love (this part is explained by the camel being female, though again, the logic here isn't entirely clear to me). Needless to say, if the goal is to bring the Beast to life by providing his backstory, the backstory needs to make sense. I wasn't exactly satisfied in this regard.

So then the prince is a lion, and does lion things. Although as a man he has never laid eyes on a women other than his mother, his first act as a lion is to mate with some female lions in the palace hunting grounds. This wasn't described in very much detail, but I still could have done without it. I just didn't need to hear about his "thrusting". Also, note that this is a YA book, or possibly even children's. The prince also spends a lot of his time hunting, which I didn't find very interesting. Basically, I wasn't really into the story until the requisite scene where Belle's father encounters the beast while seeking shelter from the storm; i.e., until Napoli's story converges with the traditional version. Unfortunately, this didn't happen until more than halfway through.

I did enjoy the development of the Beast's relationship to Belle, but I couldn't fully like him because of the way he treated her pet fox. This fox was possibly the best character in the story; he was loving, playful, loyal, forgiving, and basically wonderful all around. And the Beast constantly thought things along the lines of "What a stupid animal" or "That foolish fox....", for no particular reason that I could see. I'm not sure how he changed from someone who seemed so compassionate initially into someone who thought badly about innocent animals; and no matter how well he treated Belle, I think his ideas about the fox were more telling about his personality.

So, an initially likeable man is transformed into a beast because he made a religious error while trying to help others; once he's a beast, he becomes less likeable rather than learning any sort of valuable lesson.

I've enjoyed other books by Donna Jo Napoli in the past, but I think I'll stick to Robin McKinley for Beauty and the Beast.