From the title of this book I was expecting more literary criticism of the fairy tale than what is offered here. Instead, most of the first half of the slim volume is taken up with the texts of various versions of the fairy tale and short stories inspired by it. It's a wonderful resource for researchers new to this material but for those already initiated into the studying of the tale it's unnecessary.

It's the second half of Griswold's book that really interested me. He examines the many various illustrations "Beauty and the Beast" has inspired throughout the centuries. After this there is a unique queer reading of the Cocteau and Disney films. I wish Griswold had expanded his thoughts on these two issues and included even more analysis of other versions of the story.

All in all this is a great introductory volume for studying "Beauty and the Beast" but it pales in comparison to Betsy Hearne's "Beauty and the Beast: Visions and Revisions of an Old Tale" which really delves into the history and complexity of this "tale as old as time." ( )