I saw the movie trailer for this book a long time ago, and thought it sounded really interesting. Living in Brazil I didn't have access to a good library, so I've only recently had the chance to borrow the book. At the last moment, I borrowed the movie too so I could read the book in the day and watch the movie that night.
Beauty and the Beast has always been my favorite Disney movie because I love the theme of redemption that is intertwined throughout the story. Beastly is a modern day version of the Disney classic that depicts that same theme: redemption.
Kyle is a high school student who is popular, rich, and extremely self-centered. When he plays a prank on the social outcast at school, she reveals her identity as a witch and condemns him to life as a beast.
Kyle turns into a large beast with shaggy hair and giant claws. His dad locks him in a mansion in NYC where Kyle spends his time studying and gardening. The witch gave him until his white rose dies to find a girl who could love him for his heart, and not his beastly appearance. When Kyle catches a robber in his house, he frees the man on the condition that he bring his daughter Linda to live with the beast.
The beautiful story that has lived in my heart for so many years was given a modern twist and I loved it. It's exactly what I dream about: a modern day fairy tale.
The writing quality of the book was not my favorite. It was poorly written, and the dialogue was, frankly, rather cheesy. I felt that the plot overshadowed that though. So, check, loved it despite its flaws.
I watched the movie the night after I read the book. Alex Pettyfer, who is major eye candy, plays Kyle, and Vanessa Hudgens, who is very cute and charming, plays Linda. My favorite thing about the movie versus the book was the form the beast took. When the witch transforms Kyle into the beast, he stays a man but is completely covered in horrid tattoos, facial disfigurations, and deep cuts. I felt that the change from a literal beast to this disfigured man fits the modern retelling of the story super well!
My least favorite part of the movie is that Kyle made the greenhouse for Linda. In the book, he made it for his own enjoyment. In Kyle’s story, it is a major changing point in his life because it shows his character development. He is learning to appreciate beauty in that which the world considers less worthy. He makes the greenhouse to grow roses because he appreciates their beauty, not because he wants to impress someone, like the movie depicts.
Just like the fairy tale story I love, this story shows me that redemption is a real thing. No matter the beast I feel like, Christ is my redeemer! He can take that which the world does not value, and use it for His glory. He makes beautiful things out of me.
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