Beastly

Beastly

Beastly is a 2007 novel by Alex Flinn. It is a retelling of the classic fairy tale Beauty and the Beast set in modern-day New York City, told from the perspective of the beast, a wealthy but arrogant teenager named Kyle Kingsbury. The novel explores themes of true beauty, love, and redemption. It was adapted into a film in 2011.

Plot

The story begins with Kyle Kingsbury, a rich, attractive high school student who takes pleasure in belittling those he views as less attractive. His life takes a drastic turn when he offends a witch named Kendra at his school. In retaliation, she transforms him into a beast, a grotesque creature with fangs and fur. Kendra gives Kyle two years to find someone who will love him in his beastly form, or he will remain a beast forever.

Isolated in a private apartment in Brooklyn, Kyle changes his name to Adrian and embarks on a journey of self-discovery. He develops a relationship with his blind tutor, Will, and his housekeeper, Magda, who are the only human contacts he has. His world changes when he meets Lindy, a classmate from his old school, under dramatic circumstances. To ensure her safety, he brings her to live with him. Over time, they develop a deep bond, challenging Kyle's perceptions of love and beauty.

Themes

Beastly delves into the idea that true beauty comes from within. It critiques the superficial nature of society's standards of beauty and the importance of character and kindness. The novel also touches on themes of isolation, transformation, and the power of love to redeem and change individuals.

Adaptation

In 2011, Beastly was adapted into a film of the same name, starring Alex Pettyfer as Kyle, Vanessa Hudgens as Lindy, and Mary-Kate Olsen as Kendra. The film made several changes to the plot and characters but retained the core themes of the novel.

Reception

Beastly received mixed reviews from critics. Some praised the novel for its modern twist on a classic tale and its exploration of deeper themes beneath the surface of beauty. Others criticized it for its predictability and the execution of its premise. Despite the mixed critical reception, Beastly gained a significant readership, particularly among young adults, and contributed to the popularity of fairy tale retellings in modern literature.