Since I decided to writer my master’s thesis on “Beauty and the Beast”, I’ve become something of an expert on the tale and its retellings. There are so many versions of this story, both old and new, that it’s a bit overwhelming. In fact, when I first blogged about it, a little over a year ago, I received so many recommendations (novels, movies, folk tale versions) that I’m still trying to get through the list of titles.
However, despite all my research, I had never found any mention of Nancy Willard and Barry Moser’s illustrated version of “Beauty and the Beast”. Actually, I found it by chance while searching for a copy of Pippi Longstocking in the tiny juvenile section (a corner really) of the university’s library.
Based on Madame de Beaumont’s version of the tale (the most well-known version of the story and the one that most retellings and movies are based on), Willard locates the story in late nineteenth century New York, where a shipping tycoon and his three daughters–Vanessa (Vanity), Mona (Money), and Beauty–lead lives of luxury until their father’s latest business venture fails and results in their ruin. Moving into a cottage in the country, the two older sisters make Beauty do all the work, while they whine and complain about their misfortune. The rest of the story follows the same familiar pattern, Beauty’s father hears that one of his lost ships has returned to the city and so goes to collect his earnings. Before leaving, he asks his daughters what gifts the would like from the city. The two eldest daughters ask for jewels and furs, while Beauty only asks for a rose. And everyone knows what happens next.
Moser’s woodblock engravings add a darker feel to the story and Willard’s subtle exploration of vanity, materialism, and inner beauty add depth to an otherwise simple tale.
Though out of print, this seems to be the kind of old book that is always available in libraries and makes for a nice, quick read.
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