![]() ![]() Today I’m sharing 16 standout retellings of classics, plus a handful lingering on my TBR list. Barbara Kingsolver’s triumphant retelling Demon Copperhead is an excellent example: you don’t need to read David Copperfield first, but once you’re done with Kingsolver’s, I bet you’ll want to.ĭoes the retelling illuminate a theme, character, or scene I otherwise overlooked?Įxcellent retellings offer something new and unexpected, such as a story told from the side character’s perspective, flashbacks to reveal more about a beloved character’s backstory, or a brand new setting for the familiar story.Īs a devoted structure nerd, I soak up these fresh takes on old stories, eager to see how an author’s changes highlight (or sometimes, subvert) the themes of the original text. In my bookish opinion, the best classic retellings require no prior knowledge of the original book-but they might make you want to pick up the classic when you’re finished. Is the retelling an excellent story in its own right? ![]() ![]() But whether or not I keep reading a retelling depends on two important factors: I will read a few pages of almost any Jane Austen retelling that crosses my shelf, no matter how outlandish the premise may seem. Longtime readers know I’m a soft touch when it comes to classic literature retellings. ![]()
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