3.5✨

So short! I did not realize the original story was so quick and short. Love the story though!

EDIT-7/14/17
My updated thoughts are @Bridget Blogs Books

Review from 2/2012
Just as adorable as the movie...but even better! Even though this would be the abridged version of the story/actual book I guess..I still enjoyed it...It was, of course, a little different than the Disney movie but I still really enjoyed them both equally.

This is one story, whatever the form (book or movie), that a lesson can be learned in it all...

That a prince isn't going to come up on a white horse, kiss you, and save the day...or slip a slipper on your foot and ride off into the sunset with you...

This story allows love to develop despite the obstacles in the way. Or how someone may or may not look. And one of the best things about this story, she loves to read! She not only had a beautiful face, she had a beautiful soul/spirit about her. On both ends of looks, what some may think is attractive and others may think is unattractive....Never judge a book by its cover...You may be missing out on a wonderful, life-long love and/or friendship

This was a much quicker read than I expected. Nothing in it really seemed "new" to me, and I don't know if that is because I have read and seen enough "faithful" renditions of the story or if I actually read it at some point in the past and forgot about it.

This version was strange because both Beauty and the Beast start out as pretty "good" characters, so there is not much transformation except at the moment of ACTUAL transformation for the beast, from monster to man. But from the very beginning, the Beast is kind and patient with Beauty, and she enjoys his companionship but finds herself put off by his looks. Because he is already good, it seems that the character who must change is Beauty, but she ALSO is portrayed is being almost impossibly good, especially when compared with her selfish, shallow sisters. So the only "change" she really needs to make is to get over the Beast's appearance -- she goes from being a "good" character to an "even better" one, which isn't an incredibly dramatic transformation.

I do like how her realization of the Beast's virtues comes after she sees how unhappy her sisters are with their handsome, wealthy husbands who do not possess the character traits that make a good husband the way the beast does. This is what makes her realize she loves the Beast, and of course her love transforms him. So even though she learned looks aren't the most important thing in a relationship, lucky her, she doesn't have to live with the consequences of that realization -- she gets a man that is handsome after all, PLUS in possession of other husbandly virtues. So, it all works out pretty well for her in the end.

3.5 stars - going back through all the classics and fairytales and this was one I hadn't read the original. I enjoyed this, it was quick and easy read!

Meh. Rather badly written in my opinion.

A very short story, but very enjoyable.

I love the original story so much

It was in my elementary days when I read this and my young self really liked it. Reading it now is just to recall the original version and I could rate this story higher but I love the Disney version better.