The classics will always be just that- the classics.
As times change, classic stories are told over and over again. That’s why it is always great when we hear different adaptions to our favorite stories. Hearing the story told in a different setting, or hearing it told from a different character point of view is always fresh and exciting, especially when its sympathetic toward the villains. That is why we collected some our favorite adaptions of classics:
- Cinder– Cinderella // Little Red// Snow White: The Lunar Chronicles by Melissa Meyer
This series follows post-apocalyptic futuristic retellings of the original classics. The book starts as a girl who is half-android, half-human living in a world where androids are considered beneath humans. A community who lives on the moon threatens Earth’s survival and Linh Cinder is the key to their survival. The prince soon falls for her, but they are pulled apart by the evil moon queen as well as Cinder’s step-mother and step sisters. Cinder needs to get to the ball to warn the Prince of the evil queen’s plans before its too late. A mix of Snow White and Cinderella, this story is a great alternative version of the story. Other books in the series include retellings of Little Red Riding Hood and Snow White, as mentioned above.
- Confessions of an Ugly Step Sister by Gregory Maguire- Cinderella
Another retelling of Cinderella, this story is in the perspective of the ugly step-sisters. The story sheds a different light on the sisters, making them seem less like villains and more like people turned evil from poorly given circumstances. This was a really successful sell, provided with a lot of really great reviews.
- Fairest of All: A Tale of the Wicked Queen by Serena Valentino- Snow White
Another retelling of Snow White, this tells the story from the view of the Evil Queen. It’s a very sad story, showing the queen’s childhood consisting of an abusive father who gets trapped in her magical mirror and corrupts her from it. She learns her magic from her mother before her death, and after her husband’s death in war slowly descends into madness from her loneliness. With only her beauty to keep her going, by the end of the book a reader can almost understand the threat of the new fairest maiden.
- Wicked by Gregory Maguire- The Wizard of Oz
Another very popular alternative perspective book, this story tells the story of Oz from the perspective of the Wicked Witch of the West. In this story, the wicked witch is not so wicked, and the good witch is not completely good. It’s a great retelling of the story, that is sometimes credited to be even better than its original.
- Beastly by Alex Flinn- Beauty and the Beast
A great modern adaption of Beauty and the Beast, this story shows the struggle of the Beast who starts as a rich, handsome man who is soon cursed to be irreversibly ugly. His rich father hides his son away in a lonely mansion, until a girl comes to live with them in order to keep herself safe from the gangsters who are after her father. Its modern use of internet forum and chat sites, as well as cell phones, gives it a relatable feel for the modern young reader.
- Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead by Tom Stoppard– Hamlet
A classic Shakespeare story, this version tells the story of Hamlet’s clownish best friends who, after failing their mission to distract Hamlet, are sent to their deaths by his uncle, the new King of Denmark. Though it ends on a note that is supposed to be sad, the story will keep you laughing throughout with its dark humor.
- Grendel by John Gardner– Beowulf
The villain of the famous tale, this is a great classic that deserves an alternate telling. A character that does not get any redemption in the story, this book gives and understanding of the witch that is much deserved.
- Calibans Hour by Tad Williams– The Tempest
A character who almost seems unredeemable in this Shakespeare tale, its interesting to see Caliban’s side of the story to make him the person he is in The Tempest. This is really interesting one that is definitely worth a read.
- Alias Hook by Lisa Jensen– Peter Pan
Forver one of the most curious villains of classic fairy tales, this story delves into the story of Hook and how he became the sea-fearing pirate stuck in a world of faries, mermaids, and mischievous boys who he will stop at nothing to capture.
- Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson– Peter Pan
Another retelling of the classic story of Peter Pan, this one is about the heartbreaking love tale of the girl Pan forgot. Its no shocker that Tiger Lily and Pan once had feelings for each other, but this story tells the heartbreaking tale of Tiger Lily after Wendy arrives and Peter’s interests change.
- The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith– The Three Little Pigs
This is a great satirical rendition of the story of the three little pigs. This story reveals that the wolf wasn’t so bad, and pigs weren’t so innocent. The wolf being a new neighbor just wanted a cup of sugar, when the pigs rudely denied him. Then the wolf’s allergies get the best of him and trouble starts when he accidentally sneezes their houses down. Wrongfully accused, the wolf pleads his case to the courts.
- Pride and Prejudice and Zombies– Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
This is a great story that takes Jane Austen’s great novel and adds a bit of humor, and zombies of course. Elizabeth is trying to slay the zombies that have arisen in her hometown, but is soon distracted by the arrogant Mr. Darcy. The story keeps its classic lovers sparring, with added zombie sparring as well.
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