The Beast's Heart
Beauty and the Beast is a beloved fairy tale and there are many retellings that try to capture the same magic the original story has. Leife Shallcross’ The Beast’s Heart takes readers into the Beast’s castle and tells the story of the man who became a monster through his eyes and not through Beauty’s – a unique take I haven’t come across before.
To read my favourite fairy tale through solely Beast’s perspective was a complete joy. I didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I did. When you read as many fairy tale retellings as I do, you begin to spot the patterns easily. While The Beast’s Heart did fulfill the common components, like Beauty’s father taking a rose and Beauty going to the Beast of her own free will, it twisted these parts to make them fit this new story.
For example, the Beast had lived alone in the castle for a century, possibly longer, and when he saw Beauty’s father wandering in the woods, he encouraged the castle’s magic to invite him in. Beauty’s father did steal the rose, but only because Beast forced the roses to grow in an area where he couldn’t miss them. It was all a rouse so Beast could meet Beauty – someone he saw in her father’s dreams and who he immediately became infatuated with.
However, this Beast did not force Beauty to stay with him for eternity. He didn’t even know his curse could be broken by her until many months later. Instead, Beast simply explained he was lonely and wished to meet her. He asked her to stay a year with him, and she agreed willingly. Of course, their year together wasn’t smooth sailing, but Shallcross’ attempt to make the Beast as human as possible in his beastly state was well executed.
I also enjoyed the presence of the magic mirror. Inside Beast’s study was a magic mirror that showed him Beauty’s family. He was able to see how they struggled without their sister and the suffering he brought to Beauty’s father. But Beast also witnessed their triumphs. Her two sisters and father learned to cope without her and heal from the loss of their lavish lifestyle. Although this story is about Beast, Shallcross did a good job of giving life to these normally two-dimensional characters.
The one complaint I have is Beauty’s name. In The Beast’s Heart, she’s not actually called Beauty but Isabeau instead. Perhaps it’s the way I pronounce it while reading, but it just doesn’t strike me as the right name for her. I’ve never been a huge fan of simply calling her “Beauty” either – perhaps there is no “right” name for such an iconic fairy tale character. I do, however, like what Shallcross picked for Beast’s human name. Julien sounds just right.
Overall, The Beast’s Heart was a fantastic story and I would be happy to read more fairy tale retellings by this author anytime.
The Beast’s Heart Rating: ★★★★
To read my favourite fairy tale through solely Beast’s perspective was a complete joy. I didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I did. When you read as many fairy tale retellings as I do, you begin to spot the patterns easily. While The Beast’s Heart did fulfill the common components, like Beauty’s father taking a rose and Beauty going to the Beast of her own free will, it twisted these parts to make them fit this new story.
For example, the Beast had lived alone in the castle for a century, possibly longer, and when he saw Beauty’s father wandering in the woods, he encouraged the castle’s magic to invite him in. Beauty’s father did steal the rose, but only because Beast forced the roses to grow in an area where he couldn’t miss them. It was all a rouse so Beast could meet Beauty – someone he saw in her father’s dreams and who he immediately became infatuated with.
However, this Beast did not force Beauty to stay with him for eternity. He didn’t even know his curse could be broken by her until many months later. Instead, Beast simply explained he was lonely and wished to meet her. He asked her to stay a year with him, and she agreed willingly. Of course, their year together wasn’t smooth sailing, but Shallcross’ attempt to make the Beast as human as possible in his beastly state was well executed.
I also enjoyed the presence of the magic mirror. Inside Beast’s study was a magic mirror that showed him Beauty’s family. He was able to see how they struggled without their sister and the suffering he brought to Beauty’s father. But Beast also witnessed their triumphs. Her two sisters and father learned to cope without her and heal from the loss of their lavish lifestyle. Although this story is about Beast, Shallcross did a good job of giving life to these normally two-dimensional characters.
The one complaint I have is Beauty’s name. In The Beast’s Heart, she’s not actually called Beauty but Isabeau instead. Perhaps it’s the way I pronounce it while reading, but it just doesn’t strike me as the right name for her. I’ve never been a huge fan of simply calling her “Beauty” either – perhaps there is no “right” name for such an iconic fairy tale character. I do, however, like what Shallcross picked for Beast’s human name. Julien sounds just right.
Overall, The Beast’s Heart was a fantastic story and I would be happy to read more fairy tale retellings by this author anytime.
The Beast’s Heart Rating: ★★★★