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Summary
Summary
Exquisite paintings and a lush retelling bring a treasured classic to new life.
A beautiful daughter dreams of meeting a handsome prince, but in order to save her father's life, she leaves home to live with a terrible, frightening beast. Though her patron is hideous, his disarming generosity slowly leads to a surprising connection. Accessibly and with great compassion, Max Eilenberg sheds fresh light on one of our most beloved fairy tales. Angela Barrett's enchanting illustrations illuminate both the sumptuous palace and the horrifying beast himself. The resulting tour de force reminds us that ultimately love conquers all.
Author Notes
Max Eilenberg is the author of SQUEAK'S GOOD IDEA, illustrated by Patrick Benson, and COWBOY KID, illustrated by Sue Heap. He lives in London.
Angela Barrett is the illustrator of many picture books, including JOAN OF ARC by Josephine Poole, THE HIDDEN HOUSE by Martin Waddell, and THROUGH THE TEMPESTS DARK AND WILD: A STORY OF MARY SHELLEY, CREATOR OF FRANKENSTEIN by Sharon Darrow. She lives in London.
Reviews (5)
School Library Journal Review
Gr 2-4-Nineteenth-century period details, lively dialogue that is well suited to reading aloud, and sly humor distinguish this retelling. The basic plot is familiar, yet slight changes in details and dialogue deftly customize the tone. The father is portrayed as a doting parent whose flattering introductions to his daughters are provided in staccato. "Absolutely lovely, smashing girl, mad about clothes," and amusingly countered by the author's, "Now you might consider that Gertrude in fact looked a little spoiled and not very grateful-." Even Beauty is a little vain; when she first touches the beast, she is "amazed to see how pale and delicate her hand looked against" its fur. Barrett's lovely watercolor illustrations vary in size and shape and the effective use of light and shadow communicates the shifting moods. The haunting landscapes and stark interiors contrast with sunlit, outdoor scenes presented in charming little vignettes. A poignant spread shows Beauty weeping over her Beast. There are many delightful versions of this complex story, and each has its own charm. Certainly, Marianna Mayer's Beauty and the Beast (S & S, 1987) set a high standard. Libraries that feature variants of folklore stories will want this vibrant edition.-Kirsten Cutler, Sonoma County Library, CA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
In this new version of the classic, florid prose threatens to overpower Barrett's delicate watercolors. Eilenberg (Squeak's Good Idea) follows the lines of the 18th-century original, jazzing up the story with a pompous Briton for Beauty's father, Mr. Fortune ("Fortune by name, fortune by nature," is a favorite saying of his), two cruel sisters named Hermione and Gertrude, and plenty of velvety vocabulary ("red roses of the most exquisite loveliness and perfection"). Yet the magic of the retelling belongs to Barrett (Joan of Arc). Although often relegated to the borders of the page to make way for the lengthy text, each of the artist's vignettes offers viewers a small assortment of delicacies, like a box of petit fours, as Beauty whiles away her days in a succession of beautifully appointed rooms, or wanders through gardens of fantastic topiary. Beast's overpowering stature conveys his threat; but his sleek, graceful appearance never becomes repulsive. While the purple prose may embarrass youngsters ("She had found love and lost it, and it was so much more than she had ever imagined, and the pain was unbearable"), Barrett tempers the passion of the lovers' final kiss with a bored housecat cleaning itself at their feet. Writer and artist are both at their best in the luxury of the Beast's palace. Collectors of sumptuous fairy tale editions will not want to miss this one. Ages 6-10. (Dec.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Horn Book Review
This sumptuous version of the classic tale is set during the nineteenth century. The book is thoughtfully designed and illustrated with elegant watercolors. A contrasting play of shadow and light underscores the story's themes, although the lengthy text may put off some readers. The double-page spread of Beauty weeping over her Beast is a moving testament to the transformative power of love. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
Kirkus Review
Barrett's finely wrought paintings create an appropriately dreamy, romantic atmosphere for this formal retelling of the classic tale. Eilenberg adds details, but keeps all of the essentials. Suddenly ruined, merchant Ernest Fortune and his beloved daughters Gertrude, Hermione and Beauty repair to unhappy poverty in a country cabin. But then, Beauty, who dreams of being swept off her feet by a handsome prince, offers herself in place of her father to the hideous, tortured Beast, and--though the spoiled older sisters suddenly disappear from the story at the end--all turns out splendidly. Using a subdued palette that opens in shadow but bursts into brighter hues at the climax, Barrett uses dress and details to give the story a late-19th-century setting, faces off a fair-skinned, chestnut-haired teenager with a forthright gaze against a towering, hunched, vulpine Beast and artfully fills in between dramatic full-bleed scenes with vignettes and sequential panels. As emotionally intense but not quite so dark as Nancy Willard's rendition, illustrated by Barry Moser (1992), this version will draw a profound response from its customary pubescent audiences. (Fantasy. 10-13) Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Eilenberg's lush retelling of the great fairy tale, set in the nineteenth century, pulls out all the stops with a long, lyrical text and beautiful watercolor pictures that depict both the luxury and the anguish of the story. Barrett's illustrations express the contrasts of the story, from the family scenes of the terrible sisters to the view of the brave young hero who goes on a journey to save her miserable dad. Then there are the dark and stormy landscapes surrounding the palace. The sad, lonely monster is a huge demonic presence, hateful and yet so full of heart, so easy to pain, so eager to please. The final embrace that saves the Beast is a triumphant climax in both words and art. Great for storytelling, especially for readers old enough to understand a little about the importance of love. --Hazel Rochman Copyright 2006 Booklist
