Fairy-Tale Files, published once weekly, feature three variations of a fairy tale chosen by one of Fairy Tale Review’s editors or interns.
The oldest published version of La Belle et la Bête, popularized by Jeanne-Marie LePrince de Beaumont in 1756. When Belle’s father stumbles upon the Beast’s castle and picks a single rose for her, the Beast requires that he either die or sacrifice one of his daughters to him. Belle gladly goes in her father’s place. Inevitably, she and the Beast fall in love. While the Beast displays his characteristic temper towards the father, he is otherwise, almost unfailingly, a polite gentleman.
Karou, as depicted by Akke Andringa.
Daughter of Smoke and Bone is a new work of young adult fiction by Laini Taylor—the most recent installment came in April, 2014. This trilogy reverses the traditional gender roles of Beauty and the Beast. The protagonist, Karou, is a demonic creature in her own world, made human in ours. Her lover, Akiva, has the form of an angel.
In the popular ABC television show Once Upon a Time, the Beast’s role is fulfilled by Rumpelstiltskin, who acquires Belle as his maid and falls in love with her. Rather than desiring to be cured by love’s true kiss, Rumpelstiltskin fears losing his powers (his beastliness) and rejects Belle’s advances. The story explores their lives after the “happily ever.”
This edition of Fairy-Tale Files is brought to you by Fairy Tale Review intern Catherine Walker and Poetry Editor Jon Riccio.
