If there's one thing I'm a sucker for, it's a Beauty and the Beast retelling and this, was stunning. The fairytale has always been my favourite and everytime I see a new version I'm guaranteed to add it to my To Be Read or buy it straight away. I can't help myself.
Told from the Beasts perspective, the insight into what brought him to the point where Isabeau (Belle) is introduced into his life.
Firstly, we learn about the years following the curse when he is learning about his new self.
"I did not know if I was a beast who dreamed of being a man, or a man who dreamed he was a beast"
The isolation and introspection that he goes through in those years is wonderfully written. The whole book is extremely poetic in it's writing but this part especially was stunning.
There is no dialogue in the first few chapters, allowing the reader to truly feel that alone with just The Beasts thoughts.
I don't believe it's possible for anyone to not know the story but I don't want to risk ruining anything about this gorgeous book but it is very much a retelling of the original folklore (no talking clocks or seductive candlesticks here I'm afraid).
I want to hunt down a special edition hardcover of this book now to add to my collection. It's too beautiful not to have a special copy on my shelf.
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