the beast's attitude to women sucks, but overall it was an ok book

 

Wow... Just... No! This book was more than bad. It actually made me angry. 

****Spoiler Alert**** 

* 

* 

* 

* 

First off, the writing... There are some serious plot holes in the story. Young readers might not catch it, but it was glaringly obvious to me. (Belle isn't even introduced until well into the second half of the book, when she goes from not existing, to already living in the Prince's castle. No explanation given.) 

Worse than the writing, is the content. The message that young readers get from the first half of the book is that women must be dim and demure to get a man, and then if said man dumps them, they should try to kill themselves. Seriously, WTF kind of message is this! (An adult reader would get the satire, but this book isn't marketed for adult readers). 

Then there's the problem of the main character of the Prince/Beast... He epitomizes toxic masculinity throughout the book. And right as we're introduced to Belle, he yells at her, chases her from his castle (that she is now apparently living in), and almost kills her. In the next breath he gives her his library and they start to fall in love. Gross! The message to readers: it doesn't matter how toxic a man is, if he gives you a present, he is worthy of your love. 

My final thought: Do not subject your kids (or yourself) to these antiquated notions of gender roles. It's perpetuating misogyny.