The Beauty and the Beast

The Story of the Beauty and the Beast is a book by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve, first published in 1740. This classic French fairy tale presents the original, richly layered version of the beloved “Beauty and the Beast” story, far more expansive and intricate than the later retellings that followed. In this early literary fairy tale, Villeneuve blends romance, fantasy, and moral reflection into a sophisticated narrative that has shaped centuries of folklore and storytelling.

The story follows Beauty, the virtuous and intelligent daughter of a once-wealthy merchant who falls into ruin. When her father plucks a rose from a mysterious castle garden, he unwittingly seals his fate with its terrifying master—the Beast. To save her father’s life, Beauty offers herself in his place and journeys to the enchanted castle. There, surrounded by magic, unseen servants, and nightly conversations with her monstrous host, she begins to see beyond the Beast’s fearsome exterior. As the tale unfolds, themes of sacrifice, inner virtue, transformation, and the redemptive power of love take center stage.

Villeneuve’s version is notable for its elaborate backstory, courtly intrigue, and deeper exploration of the Beast’s origins, making it essential reading for those interested in the history of fairy tales and classic French literature. The translation by James Planché brings this eighteenth-century narrative to modern readers while preserving its romantic tone and imaginative scope. Readers searching for the original “Beauty and the Beast” story, traditional fairy tales, or classic romantic fantasy literature will find this edition especially rewarding.

As one of the foundational texts behind a world-famous fairy tale, The Story of the Beauty and the Beast offers more than a simple moral fable. It provides a window into eighteenth-century storytelling, literary fairy tales, and the enduring cultural fascination with love that transforms both heart and destiny.

This is an 1858 translation by James Planché.