The Rose and The Beast: Fairy Tales Retold

The stories are thoughtfully crafted. Each one is well told, and I didn’t want the book to end. The retellings are mostly the typical ones, but these versions are worth your time.

I read this as a teenager and remembered it fondly ever since. Recently, I decided to buy it and reread it. I was worried the stories wouldnt hold up, but they were even more lovely a second time around. Short, nuanced, and lush with imagery, they portray the beautiful and often dangerous world women and girls occupy with modern retellings of classic fairytales. I loved the book.

Well, I will start by saying that I have always been a big fan of Francesca Lia Block. She deals with the "dirtiest" of topics-cutting, drugs, abuse- in ways that make them sound dreamy. I'm writing this after reading the book for the 5th or 6th time. Of the nine fairy tales rewritten here, a few stand out above the rest:SnowCharmBonesBeast.Block makes these tales different, almost unrecognizable. My only issue is that sometimes her narration gets repetitive. It's as if many of the stories are being told by the exact same person, in the exact same voice. Still, I'd recommend this book to anyone who likes modern fairy tales. You won't be disappointed.

Absolute treasure. FLB is a master of that prose/poetry language and in this she uses fairytales as a sugar-coating to some of the tougher things that the modern woman goes through. I love it.

I teach a class on fairytales.

Loved when I was in middle school but now at 25 I find it lacking. A fun retelling of stories to read once but nothing more.

I love these modern retellings with her lyrical style. Sad still, and often troubling, but also beautiful. I think I need to brush up on some of the originals, because I wasn't familiar with all of them. I want there to be more though I love the stories she picked.

As a former English teacher, I love fairy tales and was really excited to read a new take on some old favorites. This book promised to be beautiful, lyrical and enticing and was nothing short of a disappointment. Details were lacking, syntax was lacking, character development was lacking. The stories were, at times, focused on irrelevant details that did not contribute to the overall plot of the story. I wanted to love this book but found it difficult to read and stay engaged. Sincerely wish I had saved my time and money for another book entirely.

Loved it loved it loved it

Amo l'autrice, e la consiglio a tutte e tutti

A very quick and easy read. A dark twist on classic fairy tales. I've read it over and pver again over the years.

Alles super :)Ich habe es als Geschenk gekauft und es ist gut beim Beschenkten angekommen. Sie hat es gern gelesen.