Reviews

The bulk of this Beauty and the Beast novel is devoted to (the beast) Orasmyn's life as a lion, everything from his probing of the complexities of his fate and his Islamic prayers to his efforts to obtain food. PW called the book "more cerebral than romantic in tone, more laborious than lush in its execution." Ages 12-up. (June) Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

Gr 8 Up-Orasmyn, a sensitive Persian prince, becomes the Beast in Donna Jo Napoli's inventive retelling of the fairy tale that explore the relationship between a beast and a beauty (Atheneum, 2000). In this case, Orasmyn tells about the enchantress who turned him into a lion, leaving home, and his struggles in the wilds of Iran and India. Eventually, he travels cross-country to France with the hope of finding a true love who will break the spell. Images, both sensual and violent, convey the realities of his predator's life. There are also parallels to real-life love stories as the lion tries to relate to Belle, the brave young woman who restores his humanity. Those unfamiliar with Islamic and Persian terms and practices may find some passages challenging, but the new vocabulary offers opportunities to learn about other cultures. Robert Ramirez's measured, low-key delivery is a good match for the concisely modulated text. The unique focus of this recording makes it useful for libraries seeking to expand culturally diverse audiobook collections, but listeners may need supporting materials to get the most from this intriguing tale.-Barbara Wysocki, Cora J. Belden Library, Rocky Hill, CT Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.