Beast: A Tale of Love and Revenge

Gr 8 Up—In this retelling of "Beauty and the Beast," the vain and cruel Jean-Loup is master of a large estate. After he violently rapes his young maid, Lucie, she seeks revenge, and Jean-Loup is transformed into a hideous beast. Lucie also undergoes a magical transformation and is forced to remain the home of her assailant. But it seems that Beast does not know he is Jean-Loup and has a completely different personality, resulting in a wholly undeserved redemption arc when a beautiful woman arrives with the ability to break the spell. Sexual assault and Lucie's attempted suicide are completely mishandled by Jensen in favor of the Beast. Readers will understandably find it difficult to see him as a sympathetic character because of his unforgiveable crime—nor should they have to. Ascribing that attack to Jean-Loup and not the Beast he becomes is problematic. To ask that of any audience is troubling, but feels even more irresponsible when involving teens.