As Old As Time summary

A New Twist in the Tale

In As Old As Time by Liz Braswell, we are transported to the world of Beauty and the Beast. However, this is not the same tale we are familiar with. The story begins with Belle and the Beast living in the castle, and the Beast is slowly losing his humanity, becoming more animalistic. Belle is determined to find a way to save him, and in her search, she stumbles upon an enchanted book in the castle's library.

The book transports Belle back in time, revealing the story of the enchantress who cursed the Beast. We learn that the enchantress, named Rosalind, was once a beautiful and kind woman, who was forced into a life of poverty and hardship. Her tragic past led her to develop a deep-seated bitterness towards the wealthy, and this is what caused her to curse the prince and his castle.

An Unexpected Connection

As Belle delves deeper into the past, she discovers a shocking revelation - Rosalind is her mother. The enchantress had to leave her daughter behind when she cast the curse, and her memories of her own child were erased. Belle is devastated by this discovery, but she also feels a strong sense of empathy towards her mother, understanding the pain and suffering that led her to make such a drastic decision.

Meanwhile, the Beast's condition continues to worsen, and Belle realizes that the only way to save him is to break the curse. She learns that the curse can only be lifted if the Beast learns to love and be loved in return. Armed with this knowledge, she returns to the present, determined to find a way to heal the broken relationship between the Beast and his past.

Healing the Past, Breaking the Curse

Back in the present, Belle confronts the Beast with the truth about his past and the identity of the enchantress. Initially, the Beast is enraged, but as he learns more about his tragic past and the circumstances that led to his curse, he begins to soften. He realizes that his anger and bitterness were only perpetuating the curse, and he decides to let go of his past and open his heart to love.

As the Beast undergoes this transformation, Belle also begins to see him in a new light. She realizes that beneath his fearsome exterior lies a kind and caring soul, and she starts to develop feelings for him. Their growing affection for each other becomes the key to breaking the curse, and in a magical moment, the Beast is transformed back into the prince he once was.

A New Beginning

With the curse lifted, the prince and Belle are finally free to live their lives without the burden of the past. Rosalind, the enchantress, also regains her memories and is reunited with her daughter. She apologizes for her actions and is forgiven by Belle, leading to a heartwarming reconciliation between mother and daughter.

In the end, As Old As Time presents us with a new twist in the classic tale of Beauty and the Beast. It's a story of forgiveness, redemption, and the transformative power of love, showing us that even the most tragic of curses can be broken when the heart is open and willing to change.