Fairytale Friday ~ Beauty and the Beast

Should I have written this three days ago?

Yes, probably.

Am I now panicking because it's basically Saturday and this is supposed to be a Friday thing?

Absolutely.

But I would have just written this earlier today, but we were running around all day and I just...



I'm so exhausted.

BUT the show must go on, as they say, and so it is with great pleasure that I invite you to celebrate this, the second of our Fairytale Friday celebrations.

Today, we look at what is one of my all-time favorite fairytales: Beauty and the Beast!

 



It is a tale as old as time...

 

A song as old as rhyme...

 

... okay, I'll stop now.

 

I will readily admit, the Disney film truly sparked my love for this fairytale.  It's my all-time favorite Disney movie, and the title song is my all-time favorite Disney song (Angela Lansbury is queen, y'all).  But when I dug deeper, I found a story as just as beautiful as the one Disney wove. 

 

As it is one of my favorite fairytales, it has become one of my favorite to see retold.  And one of my favorite versions of this is "The Merchant's Daughter".

 

 

 

Author: Melanie Dickerson

 

Overview of the Story: Annabel grew up the daughter of a wealthy merchant, but when her father dies in destitution, it falls on her to save her family.  Indentured to the local lord who is rumored to be something of a beast, she learns to find room in her heart for love while she dodges the rather revolting Bailiff Tom.

 

What I Thought: This novel is a really sweet, magic-free take on the classic story.  Annabel is a really sweet girl, and even though her family treats her terribly, she relies on her faith to get her through.  And yes, that seems really feel-good, but it did make me feel good so yeah.

 

Characters:

Annabel - She's seriously.  So sweet. But at the same time, she is more than willing to stand up for herself and her family and will not be stopped.  Which I appreciate.

 

Ranulf - Poor, innocent, wonderful Ranulf.  Yes, he's gruff and angry but he reminds me of Disney's Beast in that he becomes so sweet when he realizes that wow, he can be that and still be cool. xD

 

Bailiff Tom - Ugh, don't get me started.  Disgusting, dude *shudders*

 

Favorite Quote: "Even though she was in a room full of people, an occurrence she had rarely ever experienced before, she had never felt so alone."

 

How Does It Compare to the Original? One of the most accurate I've seen in the fact that she's actually the daughter of a merchant.  But other than that... not much is the same?  However, it still retains the feel of the original.

 

Overall Rating: 5 angry villagers out of 5

 

I will warn you, this book isn't technically the first in the series.  That title belongs to "The Healer's Apprentice".  However, I personally think the first two books can be flipped around if you really wanted to.  But "The Healer's Apprentice" is pretty great too... but we'll deal with that in a few weeks xD

 

Favorite retelling of Beauty and the Beast?  Do you love the Disney film?  Fairytale you think I should tackle next?  Let me know down below!

 

~ Mia