Preview
  • The Beast's Heart

  • A Novel of Beauty and the Beast
  • By: Leife Shallcross
  • Narrated by: Jim Dale
  • Length: 13 hrs and 34 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (543 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

The Beast's Heart

By: Leife Shallcross
Narrated by: Jim Dale
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $20.25

Buy for $20.25

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

A luxuriously magical retelling of Beauty and the Beast set in 17th-century France - and told from the point of view of the Beast himself.

I am neither monster nor man - yet I am both.

I am the Beast.

He is a broken, wild thing, his heart’s nature exposed by his beastly form. Long ago cursed with a wretched existence, the Beast prowls the dusty hallways of his ruined château with only magical, unseen servants to keep him company - until a weary traveler disturbs his isolation.

Bewitched by the man’s dreams of his beautiful daughter, the Beast devises a plan to lure her to the château. There, Isabeau courageously exchanges her father’s life for her own and agrees to remain with the Beast for a year. But even as their time together weaves its own spell, the Beast finds winning Isabeau’s love is only the first impossible step in breaking free from the curse....

©2019 Leife Shallcross (P)2019 Penguin Audio
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: Romance
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

Critic reviews

“Poetical, imaginative, and inventive.” (New York Journal of Books)

“A lush retelling of my favorite fairytale classic. Beautiful, poignant, and enchanting…Leife Shallcross’s Beast shines.” (C. L. Wilson, New York Times best-selling author of The Sea King)

"Glorious.... retells Beauty and the Beast in a compelling and surprising novel filled with peril, darkness, romance and beauty." (Kate Forsyth, author of Bitter Greens and The Wild Girl)

What listeners say about The Beast's Heart

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    405
  • 4 Stars
    82
  • 3 Stars
    33
  • 2 Stars
    16
  • 1 Stars
    7
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    453
  • 4 Stars
    33
  • 3 Stars
    12
  • 2 Stars
    4
  • 1 Stars
    1
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    355
  • 4 Stars
    91
  • 3 Stars
    28
  • 2 Stars
    20
  • 1 Stars
    6

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Not the type of romance I was hoping for 😑.

New author and narrator for me. This was more literary in its wording and probably safe for under 18 readers, but not too young. After outing myself as a deviant, I did enjoy this quite a bit with the story from the Beast's POV, his thought processes, perceptions and despair. A very lovely listen.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Beautiful rendition of Beauty and the Beast

Beautiful. Original perspective on a classic, rich with imagery. Must read more from this author!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Shallcross speaks a word to bring some cultural balance

I loved this book.
I loved the vulnerable, moral, courageous, suffering beast.
He won my heart. I just wanted to be his mother-in-law!
Passionate moral courageous suffering manly guy.
Meets
Kind moral courageous virtuous creative intuitive girl.
Loved it.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful retelling of Beauty and the Beast

I really enjoyed this version of Beauty and the Beast. It was wonderfully written and narrated.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A beautiful story narrated by the great Jim Dale

I absolutely loved this story. I've never seen any of the Beauty and the Beast movies, so I had no preconceived ideas about the characters or the plot. Jim Dale is magnificent, as always, and conveys the pathos and loneliness of the beast in such a poignant way. Some other reviewers felt the story was too long, but I liked how there was ample time to fill out each of the characters. I will listen to this story many more times, and I'm sure I'll enjoy it as much each time.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Listen at 1.2 speed

I admit it was hard too keep my attention on the story, but changing the speed to 1.2 was a game changer. Loved it after that. Recommend trying that if story is too slow. It may be just the speed of the narration.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Interesting twist on a well known tale

Despite my familiarity with the Disney version, I found this engaging and intriguing to watch unfold. it was enjoyable seeing the story from the beast's point of view and seeing the various ways the author elaborated upon the original tale

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

The Beasts Heart Review

I absolutely love this book! I recommend it to anyone looking for a genuinely sweet romance that will take you into another world. The voice acting is excellent, and perfect for bringing this story to life. 100 percent recommend!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Couldn't put it down

One of the best books I've listened to in a very long time. this book deserves much more attention. Very well written, and of course Jim Dale did a splendid job. Listened through in almost one sitting.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Beautiful

I love the way the writer conveys loss, loneliness, and love. The book was just a wonder to listen to. The narrator did a great job, as well. If you’re a fan of the beauty and the beast fairytale, you will enjoy this just so.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful