Roses, by Barbara Cohen

[rachelmanija]

A non-fantasy YA re-telling of "Beauty and the Beast" in modern times which attempts to stick as closely as possible to the original fairytale (with one very significant exception) while making it seem plausible in context. Intriguing idea, so-so execution

Comments

[taliabriscoe]

I think it's a wonderful idea, sounds very intriguing EXCEPT for the age difference. The only roll a 20+ year older male needs to have in a young teenager's life is father figure. Ew.

[cicer]

Huh. That actually sounds like it could be pretty interesting. I'm a sucker for fairy tales redone in a contemporary way anyway, so I might have to check that out.

I find it kind of vexing that Izzy would end up with Roger in the end, though. Understandable, given the circumstances in the book, but still. Wasn't the whole point of Beauty and the Beast that you could love someone and be happy with them even if they were hideously ugly? It seems kind of disingenuous to end the story as 'and then she ended up with the hot guy after all, the end!'. I dunno.

[rachelmanija]

Yeah, I thought it missed the point too... but I didn't want to see 17-year-old Izzy with a 40-something dude either.

[tool_of_satan]

I have to say, I am impressed by your tagging system. Most people who used "body parts: no noses" or "cow fisting" tags would be indulging in whimsy, but you're giving them a workout.

[lady_ganesh]

...was it any good? Because it sounds terrible.