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.
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