The Beast and the Bethany

I read this book under two hours because once I started I just could not put it down. I will try not to spoil this book because as with lots of Children's books, the plot isn't wide and the story is really focused on the outcome. Ebenezer is 511 years old but he looks nothing like his age because of a potion that he gets from a monster he keeps in his attic. He has basically been living a solitary life of enjoyment, he has all the money he can ever spend and if he does spend it all, the monster can just vomit some more for him. But it appears that the monster is now greedy for something and he would not be giving Ebenezer the potion that keeps him young unless he gets him what he wants. He wants a tasty plump child. The HORROR!

At this point in the book you begin to see Ebenezer's idea of morality, I mean its one thing for him to fed the monster one of the rarest birds in the world and it is another to feed it a child (I want to believe that anyone would put the child before the bird, but I cannot speak for animal rights. Don't come for me, I Eat Meat!). But Ebenezer begins to question is standing, its just one child, right? So when he finally finds the worst child he thinks he can get he decides she is perfect for the beast to feast on.

Bethany is a honestly a spoilt brat, however she did not deserve to be eaten by the beast. Getting to know Bethany better, Ebenezer finds out that she is also a creature of circumstance. A friendship buds between them and he has to chose between death and giving his friend to the beast.

Fun and totally grossed out with this absolutely terrific children’s book that has heart and warmth!
It’s being made into a big budget Hollywood Movie with Warner Brothers already and I can see how it can lend itself terrifically well to the big screen.

I’ve been one of the lucky people to get my hands on a copy of the book to review and it gives me great pleasure to share with you.

The Beast And The Bethany is one of the biggest middle-grade children’s books to be published this year, with a film going to be made of it, this is the perfect chance to get your hands on the book first. Excited? It’s worth getting excited about.

Review
Ebenezer Tweezer is an age you can only ever imagine. He has 1 week to go until his 512th birthday. Has he the wrinkles of an old man? No, not him. He looks around 20 years old… I figure a lot of adults now reading this are wondering what his beauty secrets are and a lot of children having fun and in awe of his age. He lives in the most amazing house with a rare parrot. He then goes to an orphanage where he meets Bethany, who has some pretty gross habits. Children who like Roald Dahl, will really enjoy this book. Still, Ebenezer wants to adopt her from Miss Fizzlewick. She’s a handful and what she can’t do with superglue and chilli powder isn’t worth knowing!
I think many children will find some pretty grossed-out humour in this book. Bethany is pretty obnoxious. Then… There’s The Beast to contend with. Ebenezer has gone to great lengths to get the beast what it wants, including the Titanic. Now a child, who unfortunately may not be to its taste after-all and what can be done to remedy it. Readers will have to find out why not in the book…

Ultimately, Ebeneezer needs to change Bethany, so she becomes less of an obnoxious brat. The beast has also promised a very special potion to Ebenezer in return.

There are some parts that children may find thought-provoking and could be good for discussion, such as what it may feel like getting older and also transformation in behaviours, including that of the beast. The book has a heart and soul to it with a certain, unexpected warmth.

Ultimately this book will have children wrinkling their noses and perhaps being vocally disgusted at where things like the worms are, laughing so much at the humour and wanting to run from the beast. I reckon this is an absolutely terrific book for reading for pleasure at home and in the classroom. It’ll certainly be a book that lots of fun can be had from anyone who reads it.

It happens very rarely, if ever, that you just hear one praise after the other from the members of your book reviewing community.

It happened with me for the very book that I am going to be reviewing here: (though not given to the use of adjectives much, I break the rules and.....) the hilarious, the fabulous, the must-read, the heart warming, the amazing.....DRUM ROLL.... THE BEAST AND THE BETHANY.

The book targeted for middle grade readers has been written by Jack Meggitt-Phillip and illustrated by Isabelle Follath. What a team have they made to bring us this delightful book!

I read it with both my kids-the12 year-old and the 5 year-old and we had some hilarious times. Let me start by giving you the blurb from Goodreads.

511 years. How, you may wonder? Ebenezer simply has to feed the beast in the attic of his mansion. In return for meals of performing monkeys, statues of Winston Churchill, and the occasional cactus, Ebenezer gets potions that keep him young and beautiful, as well as other presents. But the beast grows ever greedier with each meal, and one day he announces that he’d like to eat a nice, juicy child next. Ebenezer has never done anything quite this terrible to hold onto his wonderful life. Still, he finds the absolutely snottiest, naughtiest, and most frankly unpleasant child he can and prepares to feed her to the beast. The child, Bethany, may just be more than Ebenezer bargained for. She’s certainly a really rather rude houseguest, but Ebenezer still finds himself wishing she didn’t have to be gobbled up after all. Could it be Bethany is less meal-worthy and more…friend-worthy?

Now that you have seen/ read it for yourself, can you resist this modern day retelling of a favourite fairy tale? (I couldn't have and so hopped on to the blog tour organised by the very amazing Dave of The Write Reads. *Rubs hands gleefully*)

My elder daughter identified with Bethany (and was moved by her
back story) while my younger one ( who is already showing a penchant for the good life) aspires to pick up a thing or two from Ebenzer. The characters were fun and really well rounded and we loved imagining the way each one of the three main characters would speak.

The book also makes an everlasting impression on the reader because it is not always fun and games. Ebenzer's and Bethany's stories will warm the cockles of your heart and might just get you to shed a few tears. The Beast itself is a very enticing creature.

With their own unique quirks, which all the characters in the book bring to the story, The Beast and The Bethany makes for an engaging read for one and all. I personally loved the progression of the story as well as the storytelling

When you open this book, you enter a world full of macabre humor, a grisly, magical beast, and a spunky young girl who will win your heart.

What I Loved

I loved the story within the story of a young girl and an unusually older man who filled a need each had for friendship and love. Both characters changed as a result, and the effects are nothing short of magical. This story is very heartwarming at its core, and the characters are endearingly flawed to a point where any other ending to this story would not work.

I loved the illustrations found throughout the tale. They fit the story's tone perfectly, reflecting the humor and wit of the words surrounding them. I don't often get the opportunity to enjoy illustrations, much less talk about them, so that makes these all the more special.

I love the characters, especially Bethany, whose snarky wit accomplishes something that Ebenezer has been unable to do in over 500 years. As a parent, I just wanted to hug her and give her the love that a cruel twist of fate stole from her at a tender young age. Kids will laugh at her antics and delight in her bad choices as well as her smart ones.

The Beast is a magical blob of goo that will horrify and disgust readers and happily route for its demise. I can hear the screams of "Eew!" from kids paying rapt attention as the story unfolds. Don't let the gooey essence distract you from seeing the wily cunningness at the heart of this Beast lest you be his next victim.

To Read or Not to Read

I can easily see this book being a new favorite for kids and adults, though make sure the child is old enough not to be terrified of the Beast.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

The Beast and the Bethany was definitely be an entertaining read, full of funny and silly moments. The book consists of a small cast of characters that I thought were great. Now how could you not like a 511 year old man called Ebenezer Tweezer, an orphan called Bethany and a beast that can give you anything you want. Well to find out more you’ll just have to read the book yourself to find out!!!

Oh, and you’ll definitely love the illustrations. My proof copy didn’t have all the illustrations but the ones that were included looked great and I can’t wait to see the finished copy.

I loved reading this book and I’m now reading it for the second time with my 5 year old nephew who is loving it so far. We won’t be getting through it quite as fast as I did the first time but that doesn’t matter, as I get to enjoy it for the second time at a slower pace.

Can’t wait to see what the next book has in store for us. Definitely a middle grade book that can be enjoyed by all ages. 100% recommend this book!!!

What a fun book! Yes, it's geared for kids, but I think even kids' books should be entertaining and fun for adults to read too.
First, we have Ebenezer, a spry 511 years old who is very self-absorbed and completely at the mercy of the Beast in his attic. He is very comfortable with his life and how he is living it. He likes being beautiful and young. And, he's willing to do pretty much anything to maintain the life he has created.
The Beast. A fitting name. Not only is the Beast a monster physically, but the Beast has no morals or ethics to be bothered with. As it grows bigger and bigger, its appetite grows along with it. Each escalation demanding Ebenezer to challenge his own ethics and morals.
Bethany. Bethany is a terror in her own right. She is not a favorite at the orphanage. And, pretty much no one will miss her when she's gone. She picks on kids weaker than her. Steals what she wants. And pulls pranks, just because. So, she seems like the perfect candidate to feed to the Beast.
Find out what happens when these three unlikely characters get together. Pure magic!