BEASTLY by Alex Finn

I picked up this book a few weeks ago because I had seen the previews for the movie version and, of course, I wanted to read the book before I watched the movie.  The reviews for the movie aren't good at all--it didn't do well in the theater, apparently, when it was out back in March.  I'll still watch it.  I hope I'm not TOO disappointed.  Quite often, when others hate a particular film or book, I find that I enjoy it very much, so I'm not going to let the bad, negative reviews keep me from watching it.  How can a movie with Neil Patrick Harris in it possibly be COMPLETELY awful???

Anyway, there are absotively, posolutely NO surprises in Beastly.  It is a modern-day retelling of Beauty and Beast.  It takes the original story that we're all very familiar with and sets it in modern day New York City.  Of course, it does include a witch and magic, which many of us today don't particularly believe are REAL, but the story is still just believable to be enjoyable.  Besides, who doesn't want to see some jerk guy who thinks he's God's gift to the world get his come-uppance???  Kyle certainly needed to see that wasn't as "all that" as he thought he was.

It would be really nice if folks who are so full of themselves could have an epiphany moment where they realize that, while we do need love ourselves for who/what we are, that doesn't mean that we think or act as if we're the greatest individual ever born.  What makes life truly worth living are the people we love and who love us in return.

If for no other reason than the fact that this story reminds us to love each other simply and purely for who each person regardless of what he/she looks like, then Beastly is worth the read.  It's amazing how when we look beyond the so-called physical "deformities" (zits, bad hair, multiple piercings, bad make-up, warts, fat, awful clothes, etc., etc., etc.), we find wonderful people who enrich our lives in wonderful, amazing ways!!!!  We never know who is going to make a difference in our lives until (unless?) we let people in to our lives--regardless of what they look like....

I have been trying over the years to come to a place where I see the beauty and the good in every single person I meet.  Have I been 100% successful in the quest?  No.  Sometimes I have a hard time seeing the good in my own husband!  (He's a good man and I love him, but those of you who are married will know what I mean!)  But the bottom line is--the truth of the matter is--believe it or not, most people ARE GOOD at heart.  I do believe that the majority of people I come in to contact with don't mean to hurt the people they love.  It's simply a part of life.  The real question is whether or not the loved ones can forgive.....

I'm starting to ramble and not make sense even to myself....!!!  I'm not going to go back and change anything.  I'm going to leave it as it is.....I hope I haven't offended anyone who reads this....

Bottom line:  if you enjoy the Beauty and the Beast story in general, you'll like Beastly--at least the book.  (I'll let you know about the movie once I've seen it.)  It was a quick, light, and easy read, but worth the time to read.  I'll probably pass it along to my family......