Beast by Donna Jo Napoli

A guest review from Teen Room Staff Lydia!

In light of the recent musical by the Waupaca Community Theater, I decided to read a book with a “Beauty and the Beast” theme.

Orasmyn is the prince of Persia and lives in the lap of luxury until he makes one poor decision and is transformed into a lion, with his only hope of salvation the love of a woman. He travels first to India and eventually to France, where he finds an abandoned castle and cultivates a beautiful rose garden in the hopes of luring a woman to the castle and earning her love.

The first half of the book takes place in Persia and is littered with Persian and Arabic words which seem to add nothing to the story. This part of the book drags as Orasmyn is adapting to his lionine instincts and circumstances. In the much shorter second part of the book, Belle and the Beast’s romance happens much too fast for believability, especially since the Beast lacks the power of speech, and culminates in an extremely abrupt ending. The author’s note, however, is especially interesting and reveals the author’s intent to combine the many versions of “Beauty and the Beast.” The note explains the parts of the story which may seem odd to those of us who are used to the Disney version.

I give this book Three Stars!

--Lydia

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