44 pages • 1 hour read
Beauty and the Beast
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Book Brief
Beauty and the Beast
Fiction | Novella | Middle Grade | Published in 174090
Novella • Fiction
France • 1700s
1740
Middle grade
8-12 years
Super Short Summary
Beauty, the youngest of 12 siblings and daughter of a merchant, moves to the country after their home burns down. Her father's attempt to fulfill Beauty's request for a single rose leads to his encounter with a Beast, who demands a family member in exchange. Beauty volunteers and stays in the Beast's enchanted castle, where she gradually grows fond of him, ultimately breaking his curse through love.
Romantic
Fantastical
Emotional
Inspirational
Mysterious
Reviews & Readership
7,141 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Beauty and the Beast by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve is praised for its rich, magical storytelling and intricate character development. Some critics find it overly verbose and feel that modern retellings are more accessible. Overall, it is cherished for its historical significance and imaginative narrative, but not all readers appreciate its length and complexity.
Who Should Read Beauty and the Beast?
A reader who enjoys fairy tales, romantic fantasy, and classic literature will be captivated by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve's Beauty and the Beast. Similar works such as Charles Perrault's Cinderella and the Brothers Grimm's Snow White will also appeal to their taste for timeless, enchanting stories.
7,141 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
The Beast/Prince
The Beast/Prince
A dual character who is both the love interest and antagonist, initially appearing as a beast due to a curse, but later revealed to be a handsome prince.
The Merchant
The Merchant
Beauty's father who becomes the catalyst for her meeting the Beast after his downfall leads the family to move near the Beast's castle.
Beauty’s Sisters
Beauty’s Sisters
A unit that highlights the differences between them and Beauty, primarily concerned with material wealth and social status and often resentful of their sister's positivity.
The Queen
The Queen
The prince’s mother, who questions the suitability of a union between Beauty and her son due to social conventions but later supports their marriage.
The Fairies
The Fairies
A group of magical beings intricately involved in the events leading Beauty to meet the Beast, showcasing the complexity and politics of their nature.
90
Novella • Fiction
France • 1700s
1740
Middle grade
8-12 years
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