Customer Reviews

Beauty and the Beast

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I realize that this book only deals with the pilot episode of the show, not with three episodes like the other two tie-in books. Therefore, there had to be a little something added to keep the book from being too short. Also, six months elapse between Catherine's attack and her seeing Vincent again. Readers may ask what happened during those months, so the author provides the answer. I don't like this answer. It takes away from the main story of Catherine and Vincent; the author spends way too much time on it. It involves a flood, of all things, and of course, a death. Obviously this book was written after Season 2, when the show developed the pastime of offing series regulars. Also there is an Asian girl in this "lost months" story named Kristen Ho whom I cannot stand. Vincent's community has welcomed her warmly, but she is very unappreciative, critical and downright rude. When she decides to leave the community near the end, I could only think as I read "Good riddance, Miss Stuck-UP! If she wasn't such a prominent character here, maybe my rating would be higher. I really prefer the other two books.

This is not merely a rehash of the first episode of the 1987-1990 tv series "Beauty and the Beast". It is a retelling of the story that introduces the characters adding depth, dimension and motivation not only to the characters, but to the story as well. What really happened to Catherine when Vincent left her at the basement of her apartment building after nursing her back to health? How did her friends and family take the news? More importantly, how did she manage to keep the secret of the tunnels and still explain her disappearance? I think Barbara Hambly does a wonderful job of taking these characters and situations and making them her own; adding more detail and information to explain what is not explained in the television show.

If you are not familiar with the television series you can still read this book and understand the characters and stories.

Some people objected to the added story of the flood and the character Ho, but I understand Ms. Hambly's reason in using them. When Ho explains to Vincent her reason for leaving the tunnels (and face it, they are credible), her reasons validate his desire and determination to see Catherine again. In the television show he just shows up on her balcony, but in the book, we understand what gave him motivation to return. Love was part of it, but not all of it.

Ho may not have been the most likable character, but is everyone who lives in the tunnel likable or even supposed to be? We have only to see the character Cullen in the season one episode "Fever" to see the answer to that. Unlikable people and situations exist, yes, even in the tunnels.

I found myself much more involved with the characters emotionally than even in the tv show because I could read what they were thinking. I liked this book much more than the other in the series: "Masques" by Ru Emerson. This one was much more interesting, well written and more like an original novel rather than an echoing of the script.

This is one of only three authorized and licensed novels about TV's beloved Beauty and the Beast TV show from the 1980's. It's my favorite show of all time! This one is slightly less engaging than the other two, but is still very good.

This review is done by the account owner's daughter.
B. Hambly has done an exceptionally good job. I like how she made the characters of Vincent and Cahterine more in depth as to who they really are and what they are thinking (more deeply than you can tell on the TV show). I don't particuarly agree with the added events such as the flood, and simple characters that don't have any significance, but overall a very nice book to add to my collection!

I would've preferred to have equal focus on both Catherine and Vincent as it was in the show not just focusing on Vincent. Also, there was some time of the book focused on a flood in the tunnels. I didn't really care for that. It didn't move the story along. But the main part was alright.

A truly inspired retelling of Beauty and the Beast, filled with depth and heart. This novelization covers episode one of the hit 90s tv show Beauty and the Beast. In New York, a superficial socialite falls in love with a soulful man who quotes the works of great poets, yet cannot venture above ground due to his beastlike appearance. As with all her other books, Barbara Hambly does an incredible job bringing both characters and action to life. A must for each fairy tale fan!