Roses

by Barbara Cohen

When her father steals a rare rose from a florist shop, Isabel is pressed into employment there as payment to the hideously deformed owner.

Genres: Beauty and The Beast, Young Adult, Fairy Tales, Romance

Paperback

First published May 28, 1984

About the author

Barbara Cohen (1932-1992) was the author of several acclaimed picture books and novels for young readers, including The Carp in the Bathtub, Yussel's Prayer: A Yom Kippur Story, Thank You, Jackie Robinson, and King of the Seventh Grade.

Reviews

[Linda (NOT RECEIVING NOTIFICATIONS)]

Usually when I read a young adult story, I enjoy the premise and continue, or it bores me and I drop it like a hot potato. Roses started out on an interesting note. A father walked into an exotic flower shop only to find that the plant for his wife and the arrangement for his eldest daughter was gifted to him. No money was involved. He was told by the employee that the orders came directly from his boss.

It was only after he was leaving that he remembered he promised a single rose for his youngest daughter, Isabel. He immediately walked back in but no one answered. The employee vanished. He then noticed a pitiful rose bush with one redeeming flower. And, mysteriously, there was a scissors next to the pot. He called out again and when no one responded, he cut the rose.

If you've read any novel with the Beauty and the Beast theme, you know the father was beholden to the 'beast'. Leo Koenig was an elderly disfigured man aka 'the boss' who required 'Pops' to allow Isabel to come work part-time for him. No ifs, ands, or buts. The dad gave in.

Isabel was not quite seventeen. She didn't date but was friends with several boys. One of them was Rob. It was at this point that I would read some paragraphs, skim, read some more pages and skim again. Rob broke up with girlfriend. It was very hard to hold my train of thought but I kept expecting Ms. Cohen to surprise me. Isabel and Rob saw more of each other; Rob, unknowingly, was connected to Leo.

The story with *kisses only* was originally published in 1984. I had to refer to the paperback a second time because I thought it was a misprint. Though the characters were clothed from that decade, the story felt as though it was written in the 1960s. It read as though it was intended for middle-schoolers or those in junior high. IOWs, not a YA story that an adult could enjoy.

I only made it to the end because another reviewer wrote that the last pages were different than what they expected. I wasn't surprised. I am not rating this older contemporary fairy tale because it was geared toward 12-13 year olds.

[Victoria Pring · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was another difficult to review book. It wasn't bad but it wasn't good either. It also felt unfinished. We are left with no idea if ||Leo (our Beast) will even get a happily ever after||. I liked the way they had Leo asking ||for a kiss at the end of each meal||, this harkened back to the original version of beauty and the beast where he would ask her to marry him each night and I thought it was nice to try and incorporatethat in a slightly less wierd way, because of the whole situation it felt wierd anyway but I appreciated that the author had tried. The age difference made me uncomfortable which is a little unfair of me as the beauty and the beast stories set in the past often have big age differences and it was so common in the time period I didn't bat an eye, because this one was set in the 80s however the girl only being 17 and him being 40 and her boss made it feel slimy, even if she was just treating him as a friend. Due to this I am glad she ||ended up with Rob|| but at the same time I thought ||the beast getting a happy ending|| was kind of a given in beauty and the beast retellings, even if they had just ||ended it with a nurse flirting with him perhaps|| it would have been a vast improvement. Overall I like the idea of beauty and the beast in a more modern setting but really feel this book missed the mark.

[Spirit of Wonderland Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Isabel is made to take a job at the local florist's shop, she faces the deformed owner, and her fears of him. He is known throughout the town, and while his shop and flowers are loved by all, he isn't. Isabel learns more about him while spending time in his shop, and discovers more about herself in the process.

This is a beautiful coming-of-age story, where a young girl learns more about herself, and shapes a bit of her character during this uncomfortable situation. Well written, sweet, and quick, this wonderful retelling of Beauty and the Beast will leave you with a smile on your lips, and a flutter in your heart.

[Antonietta Mancini · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is my first Traditional Tale novel.

Roses is a YA novel written for high school. It is a modern day Beauty and the Beast. Izzy is a sexual teenager that likes a new hot guy. Her father does not approve and picks a rose from a rose bush and damages the rose while picking it. A ugly noseless owner appears and makes them repay for damaging his rose. This book can be used for guided reading groups to discuss original fairytales and how this novel changed it to modern day. The potential problems may be some sexual content. If you like this book you may like "Beast" by: Donna Jo Napoli

[Manna_Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I read this back in junior high or high school I thought it was the greatest ever. I read it many many times; another pages-falling-out book on my old-favorites shelf. All I remember about it is thinking it was loosely like Beauty and the Beast. It's been a few years, and I'm wondering if I would like it if I re-read it now?

[Rosie Zayne]

Check out my review here!

[The Fairy Godmother]

Retelling of Beauty and the Beast.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

i liked it. it didnt end how i thought it would at all and that is a good thing. it is sorta a beauty and the beast with a twist