From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Beastly is a 2007 novel by Alex Flinn. It is a retelling of the
fairytale Beauty and the Beast set in
modern-day New York City. Flinn researched many versions of the
Beauty and the Beast story to
write her book. Many of these are playfully alluded to in portions
of the book, particularly the chat room transcripts in which the
character of Kyle talks to other teens who have been transformed
into creatures.
Plot
Kyle Kingsbury, rich, handsome and popular, plays a mean
practical joke on a distasteful girl in his class, who is really a
witch named Kendra in disguise. The witch then curses him for his
cruelty. He starts to turn into a beast; however, because he
performed a small act of kindness shortly before his transformation
when he gave an unwanted rose corsage to a girl working a ticket
booth, she gives him two years to break the spell. The only way he
can turn back to normal is if he truly loves a girl and gets her to
love him in return, proving the love with a kiss. Kendra later
offers Kyle further aid by giving him a magic mirror that shows him
whomever he wishes to see. He is locked in a mansion-like apartment
by his shallow, image-obsessed father. His only company is his
housekeeper, Magda, and, at his request, a blind tutor named Will.
Kyle has two years to truly fall in love with someone and earn
their love in return, or remain a beast forever. After a year of
being in this state, and trying and failing to find love, Kyle
changes his name to Adrian to reflect his feelings of being a
completely different person from the conceited, materialistic boy
he used to be. When a robber stumbles into his garden Adrian offers
him a deal; he won't report the robber to the police if the robber
brings Adrian his daughter, Linda. She is Adrian's last chance to
break the spell before his two years are up.
Adrian realizes that Linda is the same girl to whom he gave the
rose corsage. He fixes up a room for her, leaving roses and books
for her to amuse herself with. When she arrives, she at first wants
nothing to do with him as she feels he kidnapped her. As time
passes, she slowly warms up to him and he finds himself falling in
love with her. The two begin to have tutoring sessions together and
during winter they go to a lodge. Shortly before the last year is
up, Linda wishes to see her father once more. Adrian lets her see
him with the magic mirror and she finds that he has become sick
through drug use. Adrian quickly lets her go to him and offers for
her to return to the apartment in the spring if she desires, this
time as a friend and not a prisoner. On the last day of the second
year, Adrian looks for Linda in the mirror and sees her being
dragged into a building by a man. He rushes to her rescue and is
shot in the process. As he lays dying, he asks Linda for a kiss.
She kisses him, breaking the spell and turns him back to normal. He
explains everything to Linda and the two go back and live in the
apartment together. Adrian had also made a deal with Kendra, and
because of which, Will regains his sight and Magda is allowed to
return to her family. Kendra reveals that she is Magda, punished to
remain a servant forever because of her careless spellwork but she
can now return home as well.
Characters
Kyle Kingsbury/Adrian
King
- Kyle Kingsbury is the son of Manhattan's news anchor,
Rob Kingsbury. He is tall, blonde, rich, and handsome. He is the
most popular guy in school and dates the hottest girls. When Kyle
asks an unappealing new student, Kendra, to the prom as a practical
joke, Kendra, who is really a beautiful witch, transforms Kyle into
a beast. Kyle's father is ashamed of his son's appearance and locks
him in a large apartment in downtown New York so no one will see
him. Kyle's only company is his housekeeper, and, later, a blind
tutor named Will and his dog. Kyle changes his name to "Adrian",
which means "dark one". His only happiness comes from the rose
garden he plants and maintains in his small backyard, encouraged by
Will. Adrian has two years to break the witch's spell by falling in
love and being loved sincerely despite physical appearances. In the
film adaptation, Alex Pettyfer will portray the part.[1]
Linda
Owens
- Linda Owens is the modern version of "Beauty".
She is described as not beautiful, with red hair, green eyes, and
crooked teeth. She is a student at Tuttle, the school Kyle also
attended before his transformation, and a member of the National
Honor Society, French Honor Society, and English Honor Society. She
lives with her ill, drug-dealing father who physically abuses her.
When he makes a deal with Adrian, she is forced to live with the
beast in his mansion. At first, she is angry and repulsed by
Adrian, but eventually the two become closer. Linda leaves Adrian,
at his urging, when she peers into Adrian's magic mirror and sees
how ill her father has become without her. Vanessa Hudgens
will play Linda in the film adaptation.[1]
The Witch/Kendra
Hilferty/Magda
- The Witch uses her powers too frequently in
her youth and, as punishment, is sent by the witch elders to New York City to
work as a servant. She disguises herself as a new student at Tuttle
to spy on Kyle. She introduces herself as Kendra Hilferty, bearing
green hair and dark clothes, and is overweight and ugly. She also
is disguised as Magda, the Kingsbury's maid, to serve and, at the
same time, spy on Kyle.[1] Mary Kate Olsen has been cast in the film
adaptation.[2]
Rob
Kingsbury
- Rob Kingsbury is Manhattan's most popular news
anchor. He has a son, Kyle. He is rich and handsome and lives in a
large apartment with his son and the maid, Magda. He works 24/7 and
barely spends time with his son. When he finds out about Kyle's
transformation, he locks him up in a luxurious five-floor apartment
because he's embarrassed of him and doesn't want anyone to know
that his son is a monster.[1]
Will
Fratalli and Pilot
- Will Fratalli is in his late twenties, tall
and slender with curly hair. He is hired to tutor Kyle after Kyle's
transformation. He is blind, and has a dog, Pilot, who serves as a
helper and a watchdog. At first, Pilot feels uncomfortable around
Kyle but as the time passes, he starts to become fond of him.[1] Neil
Patrick Harris will be playing Will in the film adaptation.[3]
Daniel
Owens
- Daniel Owens is Linda's sickly and
drug-dealing father. He often physically abuses her, and threatens
her because he fears she might leave him like her sisters did. When
he is caught breaking into Adrian's mansion in Brooklyn, he promises Adrian his daughter to
save himself.[1]
Awards
and recognitions
- ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers [4]
- VOYA Editor’s Choice
- IRA/CBC Young Adults’ Choice
- New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age
- Texas Lone Star Reading List
- Detroit Public Library Author Day Award
- Utah Beehive Award Master List
- Missouri Gateway Award Master List
- Volunteer State Book Award Master List
- Nevada Young Readers Award Master List
- South Dakota Young Adult Book Award Master List
- New Hampshire Isinglass Award Master List
- Woozles (Canada) Teen Battle of the Books list
Critical
reception
Beastly' had received favorable reviews, one of which
from BookLoons, which states that "An interesting twist on
this contemporary version of Beauty and the Beast is that the story
is told from the beast's point of view. Despite the fact that
everyone knows the plot, Flinn's version is well worth
reading."[5] Publishers
Weekly writes that "[T]he happily-ever-after ending is
rewarding, if not surprising." Donna Rosenblum of School Library Journal
commented positively on Flinn: "The story is well written
and grips readers right from the beginning with an online chat
session with Kyle/Beast and other fairy-tale characters. And, since
it's told from the Beast's point of view, it will appeal to boys
who otherwise might not pick it up."[6] With
Beastly, Flinn received positive remarks from
reviews. Sonderbooks praised Flinn, saying, "I
love the way Alex Flinn worked in all the elements of the
traditional tale. I also loved the believable way she showed us
Kyle changing, transforming. And of course there's the wonderful
blooming of true love. All this adds up to a truly delightful book
that I hope will become wildly popular with teens. And any adults
who will admit to enjoying Twilight, let me urge you to
give Beastly a try."[7]
Romantic Times writes that "Flinn does another solid job
of giving a fresh perspective to what could have been a preachy
story. She keeps the drama and intrigue high and constantly
challenges the reader in this twist on Beauty
and the Beast"[8]
Film
adaptation
Main article:
Beastly
(film)Vanessa
Hudgens and Alex
Pettyfer will be playing Linda and Kyle, respectively.[9]
Mary Kate Olsen is tapped for the role of
Kendra.[2]
CBS Films has bought the feature rights to "Beastly". This will be
the first project to be put into development by CBS Films, with the
option of the Harper Teen book announced in December 2007.[10] It was
announced by Amy Baer, President and Chief Executive Officer of CBS
Films that Daniel Barnz will be directing the movie project.
‘Daniel’s fresh vision makes him one of the most exciting directors
of his generation,’ CBS Films president and CEO Amy Baer said. ‘We
are thrilled to partner with him as he brings his unique voice to
arguably the most universally resonant myth in storytelling.’[11] Susan
Cartsonis is producing the film through her company, Storefront
Films while Roz Weisberg is co-producer. Barnz has also written the
screenplay for the film.[12] The
film is set to be released on July 30, 2010. Neil
Patrick Harris is also now said to have a role in this
film.[13] He
will play the blind tutor called Will.
References
Wikis
Search
