The Beast Within: A Tale of Beauty's Prince (Villains) [Summary/Review]

A unique view from inside the mind of the Prince from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. I have to start by saying I will be comparing this with the original animated Disney version, I have not seen the newest movie. While intriguing and an easy read this book raises many questions. Serena Valentino begins with the Prince being grown and having a best friend who is the character typical viewed as the villain Gaston. This twist and choice of adding the Beast to the Villains series of books raise questions for me.

In this version of the Beast’s tale, he is in love with a young woman named Circe and they are to be married. However, things go terribly wrong for him when his “friend,” Gaston, mentions that she is a farmer’s daughter. The story from the opening scene of the 1991 movie is then mentioned though with different intent. Instead of it simply being a fairy the book explains that Circe is not only a woman but a powerful fairy. This leads to her vindictive curse on the Prince who must find love.

I did enjoy seeing the Beast’s perspective on many of the events in the classic (1991) film, though he still lacked a name. Yes, I have heard it’s Adam but the name is never mentioned in the book, by either his friends or betrothed. The prince does eventually find one who loves him, before Belle, but he does not love her or see her beyond a way to break the curse. The story is intriguing but since I was expecting to find out more about the Prince himself not just his time as the Beast, seems like a missed opportunity.

Finding the Beast to be the villain of this book seems odd because in the original he becomes the anti-hero though still having horrible choices he does come out good in the end. I had never considered this nor am I convinced that he was the monster, especially considering the time he lived; he simply followed custom men of his status did not marry for love and especially not peasants. Learning to love is easily seen in this one reads of his transformation from his first sight of Belle, at a ball before he is cursed, to when Belle finally declares she loves him in the end.

Overall, I enjoyed the book and would encourage Disney fans to read it, just know it has interesting twists. Also, don’t try doing the math from the movie, especially since in the song “Be Our Guest” it's stated they were cursed for 10 years because then things just get weird with this story. Take it as it is a fun read and enjoy!

References

Amazon. (2017). Beast Within, The: A Tale of Beauty's Prince (Villains) Kindle Edition [Image]. Retrieved from https://smile.amazon.com/Beast-Within-Beautys-Prince-Villains-ebook/dp/B00LOYVGL8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1510466440&sr=8-1&keywords=beast+within+book

Maverick, J. (2016). Beauty and the Beast (1991) scene: ‘The curse’/opening sequence [YouTube video]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fEbW568CZo

Valentino, S. (2014). The beast within: A tale of Beauty’s prince [Kindle version]. Glendale, CA: Disney Enterprises.

Rhett & Link's Book of Mythicality: Review

Screenshot from Kindle Fire

Yes, I enjoy watching Rhett and Link. I stumbled upon them one day while on YouTube and was excited to watch. I enjoy watching their daily talk show Good Mythical Morning. When they announced their book, well I went and bought it, pre-order to get the exciting prize pack.

Also a few months ago I wrote a brief review about their Booklet of Mythicality: the preview for this book!

Rhett & Link’s book is a fun-filled adventure on the journey to mythicality. They define mythicality as “the quality or state of being that embodies a synergistic coalescence of curiosity, creativity, and tomfoolery (sometimes referred to as curiostomfoolity), ideally experienced in the context of friendship and intended to bring goodwill to the universe” (McLaughlin and Neal, 2017, 68). Rhett & Link are two internetainers (yes they enjoy making up words, it’s part of mythicality for them). The two have been friends since first grade and still enjoy being together! #friendgoals

Now that we know what mythicality is let me tell you about this book, it is packed with crazy stories, games, and even mythical merit badges! Each chapter details a different aspect of mythicality. I will not detail each section in this review but let me tell you there are great! (If you couldn’t tell from all the !!!!!). I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book in my very small amount of spare time, like you know last month I didn’t rea much and this book took me almost a month to read.

My Completion Photo!

They write in a single voice for the narration with each interjecting stories and it feels like a conversation with the two of them, each telling parts of the same story or different ones about each aspect of mythicality. The twenty chapters are full of images and exciting ideas, the writing style is fun and well mythical. Rhett & Link’s style shows thorugh, those familiar with them will understand and if you don’t know them well you should check them out on YouTube. My favorite chapters (if I had to choose) would be chapter two “Get Lost” and “Stop and Celebrate.” One of my college roommates and I got lost, for real one time, and called it an adventure. I still take these “adventures” with my sister every now and again, it makes it a lot less scary and more fun! I enjoyed reading the “Stop and Celebrate” chapter because this is something I have difficulty with. Rhett & Link state “[i]t’s easy to get caught up in your responsibilities…” (3300). Their reminder “…that it’s perfectly OK—even recommended—to take time to reflect on personal achievement” is just what I needed as I finish my MLIS degree. I rarely took time out when I finished High School, BA, Credential or got my first job…Well maybe I will try something, even if it is simply an ice cream from our local burger joint.

To see all of the crazy antics in this book and to learn about mythicality yourself check out Rhett & Link! Use the Good Mythical Morning link or search Rhett & Link on YouTube.

References

McLaughlin, R. & Neal, L. (2017). Rhett & Link’s book of mythicality [Kindle edition]. New York: Penguin Random House.