Beastly Summary, PDF, EPUB, Audio

Alex Flinn is the bestselling author of Beastly and a renowned writer specializing in contemporary fairy tale retellings for young adults. Published in 2007, Beastly reimagines the classic Beauty and the Beast from the Beast's perspective, set in modern-day New York City. Flinn's passion for fairy tales stems from her childhood on Salem Court—a street name that sparked her lifelong fascination with witches and magical transformation stories.

Before embracing fantasy retellings, Flinn established her reputation with realistic young adult fiction, including Breathing Underwater (2001), an ALA Top 10 Best Book for Young Adults that continues to be assigned in schools nationwide. Her Kendra Chronicles series features multiple fairy tale adaptations, including Bewitching (Cinderella), Towering (Rapunzel), and Mirrored (Snow White). Flinn meticulously researched dozens of Beauty and the Beast versions while writing Beastly, weaving literary allusions throughout the narrative.

Beastly became a #1 New York Times bestseller and was adapted into a major motion picture in 2011, solidifying Flinn's status as a leading voice in contemporary fairy tale literature.

What is Beastly by Alex Flinn about?

Beastly by Alex Flinn is a modern retelling of Beauty and the Beast set in New York City. The story follows Kyle Kingsbury, a handsome and arrogant high school student who is cursed by a witch named Kendra and transformed into a beast. Kyle has two years to find true love and earn a genuine kiss to break the spell, or remain a beast forever.

Who should read Beastly by Alex Flinn?

Beastly by Alex Flinn is ideal for young adult readers aged 14 and up who enjoy fairy tale retellings and contemporary romance. The book appeals to fans of Beauty and the Beast adaptations, readers interested in stories about inner beauty versus outer appearances, and those who appreciate character-driven narratives about personal transformation and redemption.

Is Beastly by Alex Flinn worth reading?

Beastly by Alex Flinn is worth reading for those seeking a fresh, modern take on a classic fairy tale. Alex Flinn successfully adapts the Beauty and the Beast story to contemporary New York City while maintaining the core themes of inner beauty and transformation. The novel offers an engaging exploration of superficiality, empathy, and personal growth that resonates with young adult audiences.

When was Beastly by Alex Flinn published?

Beastly by Alex Flinn was first published in 2007 by Harper Teen. The young adult novel gained significant popularity and was later adapted into a film in 2011. Since its release, Beastly has become a notable example of modern fairy tale retellings and established Alex Flinn as a prominent voice in young adult fantasy literature.

What is the curse in Beastly by Alex Flinn?

The curse in Beastly transforms Kyle Kingsbury into a beast covered in fur with fangs and claws after he cruelly humiliates the witch Kendra at a school dance. Kendra gives Kyle exactly two years to break the spell by finding someone who truly loves him and willingly kisses him in his beastly form, making his exterior appearance mirror his inner ugliness.

How does Kyle Kingsbury change in Beastly?

Kyle Kingsbury undergoes profound internal transformation in Beastly, evolving from a superficial, cruel teenager into a compassionate person. After adopting the name Adrian and living in isolation, Kyle develops empathy, discovers the value of genuine relationships, and learns to appreciate beauty beyond physical appearances. His character arc demonstrates that true beauty comes from kindness, introspection, and treating others with respect.

Who is Kendra in Beastly by Alex Flinn?

Kendra in Beastly is a powerful witch who disguises herself as an unpopular student at Kyle's prep school to test his character. When Kyle invites her to the homecoming dance as a cruel prank, Kendra reveals her true identity and curses him to become a beast. Throughout the story, Kendra communicates with Adrian through a magic mirror and ultimately seeks his help.

What is the significance of roses in Beastly?

Roses in Beastly symbolize beauty, care, and transformation. After his curse, Adrian plants an elaborate rose garden at his Brooklyn brownstone, channeling his energy into nurturing living beauty rather than obsessing over physical appearances. The roses represent his growing capacity for patience, dedication, and appreciation of natural beauty, marking his journey from vanity to genuine depth of character.

How does Beastly differ from the original Beauty and the Beast?

Beastly by Alex Flinn modernizes Beauty and the Beast by setting it in contemporary New York City and making Kyle a wealthy high school student rather than a prince. The story introduces modern elements like drug addiction, parental neglect, and urban settings, while maintaining core themes. Alex Flinn researched multiple Beauty and the Beast versions to create this fresh interpretation.

What are the main themes in Beastly by Alex Flinn?

The main themes in Beastly include the deceptiveness of physical appearances, the importance of inner beauty, personal redemption through love, and the consequences of cruelty. Alex Flinn explores bullying, superficiality, parental neglect, and social judgment throughout the novel. The story emphasizes that true transformation requires developing empathy, humility, and genuine care for others beyond surface-level attributes.

Who is Lindy in Beastly and why is she important?

Lindy in Beastly is the daughter of a drug-addicted man who becomes Adrian's companion after her father offers her in exchange for his freedom. Initially fearful and resentful, Lindy gradually discovers Adrian's kindness beneath his monstrous appearance. She becomes crucial to breaking the curse by seeing his true character and eventually falling in love with him, proving that genuine love transcends physical beauty.

What lesson does Beastly by Alex Flinn teach?

Beastly teaches that true beauty exists beneath the surface and that treating others with cruelty has consequences. Alex Flinn demonstrates that personal transformation requires recognizing one's flaws, developing empathy, and valuing people for their character rather than appearance. The novel emphasizes that genuine love accepts imperfections and that redemption is possible when individuals commit to meaningful change and self-reflection.

Key takeaways

The Monster Behind the Mirror

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What if you woke up one morning and found yourself transformed into something monstrous? For Kyle Kingsbury, the handsome, wealthy golden boy of Tuttle School, this nightmare becomes reality after he humiliates the wrong girl at a dance. Kendra, who he dismisses as an "ugly witch," turns out to be exactly that - and she curses him with a beastly appearance that matches his cruel heart. The spell comes with a deadline: if Kyle can't find someone to love him despite his frightening exterior within two years, he'll remain a beast forever. His image-obsessed father promptly hides him away in a Brooklyn brownstone with only a blind tutor named Will and a housekeeper named Magda for company. Kyle renames himself Adrian, a fitting tribute to his new animal nature, and watches his old life disappear through a magical mirror - his only window to the world that has forgotten him. Meanwhile, Linda "Lindy" Owens navigates Tuttle School as an outsider - a scholarship student from Brownsville who quotes Pablo Neruda from memory while managing her father's spiraling addiction at home. Since losing her mother to cancer at seven, she's developed remarkable resilience, handling everything from grocery shopping to bill payments while maintaining perfect grades. When her father's drug debts catch up to them, he makes a desperate bargain with a mysterious homeowner - sending Lindy to live in a Brooklyn brownstone to save himself from prison. The arrangement feels like a fairy tale gone wrong, with Lindy essentially traded like a character from centuries past. Yet her new "prison" contains unexpected comforts: a sun-filled room, a library filled with her favorite books, and fresh roses appearing daily. Most intriguing is the mysterious host who refuses to show his face - at least until a magical crow leads Lindy to glimpse him through a window, confirming her father's wild claims about a beast-like boy.