Why Do I Dislike Beauty & the Beast?



I was watching TV with my son, Dean, and a commercial for the new revised 3D Beauty & the Beast, along with the announcement of the new short from Tangled, came on. Dean was like, let’s go see it and watch the Tangled show and then leave. I was like, yeah, I don’t like Beauty and the Beast, either.

So that got me wondering, why. Why do I dislike Beauty and the Beast? I’ve been using fairy tales as story inspirations for a long time – sometimes I go on what I know about the fairy tale from childhood, or Disney, and from other adaptations, and sometimes I read the classic tale.

I do have a short story based on Beauty and the Beast, which I will post in a couple of days, but this was one I just went from my memory of the story line. I had never read the original – so it was kind of unfair to say that I didn’t like that particular fairy tale if I had never really read it. I had to change that.

First, I had to find out who wrote the original and go from there. I found the English translation of Jeanne-Marie Le Prince de Beaumont which appears to have first appeared in 1757. An interesting fact is that Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve, actually wrote the original Beauty and the Beast but Le Prince de Beaumont rewrote and shortened it into the story we know today – so she is usually said to be the author.

I then searched Amazon for a copy and was very happy to find a Kindle copy for .99 cents – Yay!. Here is the link for that: http://www.amazon.com/Beauty-Illustrated-Unique-Classics-ebook/dp/B006P407VM/

So after reading Beauty and the Beast by Jeanne-Marie Le Prince de Beaumont, I realized it is really difficult to review a classic fairy tale. You know, it is what it is: “fairy tale” narrative style, moralistic, jealous sisters, good vs. evil, beauty is more than skin deep, love conquers all, and to me, a picture just waiting to be colored in… A fairy tale. And I adore fairy tales! And this one was no different.

My conclusion: I don’t like Disney’s version of Beauty and the Beast. All I can figure it’s the talking teapots and candlesticks, or the color of Beauty’s dress, or the bow in Beast’s hair. I really don’t know for sure. Was there a lot of singing in the movie? It actually has been a long time since I watched the movie – Maybe I should go see it…

A Fun Dragon Tale (flash fiction)

The Guard

by

Dorlana Vann

It felt as if the castle walls were closing in on me. With each passing moment, my eyes grew heavier, as did my head, as I struggled to keep watch. But my thoughts must be enough to keep me awake till dawn, for the dragon had escaped its chains and until its capture, I am the princess’s night keeper.

The fair maiden, with her golden hair sprawled upon the pillow, was only beautiful while she slept. Otherwise a creature, one may dare say, more horrifying than the one I stand guard against. However, this minor detail makes no matter, I must protect all the same.

Her, under the deep velvet blankets, snug against the wintry wind which steals in through the cracks. And I, standing with my hands so frozen that they barely hold the weapon I am meant to defend with. However, I can’t let the bitter cold distract me either. I am to be strong and heat myself with my inner strength. But my legs had forsaken me hours ago and had fallen asleep. The relentless tickle of tiny thorns haunted my numb feet. But I mustn't move an inch which may disrupt the princess’s sleep.

Suddenly, the clamor of a thousand drummers with the rumble of a thunderstorm arose in the darkness. I knew my time had come. Adrenalin swept through every inch of my body as I rushed the window and came face to face with the notorious dragon. With one mighty thrust, I lunged my heavy sword into the beast. The heat from his breath knocked me clear and only after I regained my wind, could I look up to see my enemy.

The princess was sitting up, her screams muffled by the dragon's wail. With only one eye visible through the window, the dragon searched until he spotted his prey. In a frantic state, I ran toward her bedside. However, before I could reach her, the dragon's claws came through the window and grabbed the princess with a swift swoosh. I watched in horror as the dragon brought her up to his mouth and swallowed with one significant gulp. He then flew away, his appetite cured for the night.

I fell to the cold stone floor, pounding my fist, hard at first… and then more gently as I gazed up at the warm soft covers. I crawled on my belly, like a failure should, and slowly lifted my weary self upon the bed, near tears, and then sank into the sound sleep of a princess.

The End

Free - Supernatural Fairy Tales eBook

Hi Friends,

Just a quick note to let you know that the Kindle edtion of my fairy tale inspired, paranormal anothology, Supernatural Fairy Tales, is FREE over on Amazon (worldwide) until Jan, 10, 2012.


There are 9 short stories, which were inspired by classic fairy tales - Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, The Emperor’s New Clothes, Rumpelstilzchen, The Little Mermaid and more. These short stories are not retellings of the original tales but were inspired by them. They are paranormal themed stories about vampires, ghosts, mermaids, witches, etc., in genres ranging from romance to thriller. And fair warning: they don’t always have a happy ending


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