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Maybe half of you readers live in Fairyland. For those of you who do, I know you have probably had this experience - you’re speaking to someone on the phone and need to provide your address. When you say Peter Pan Road, for instance, they laugh, they say, “You must really like cartoons.”
Anyway, back to my point ... fairytales. At least some of us are surrounded by them. But do you ever really think about them? Probably not. Did you know there is an entire group of authors who do? The retelling of fairytales is an entire sub-genre of fictional writing - often referred to as fairytale fantasies. The retelling of classic stories that aren’t technically fairytales may also be considered a part of this genre. It can get confusing. Thanks to Disney movies, there is little distinction between the two in the minds of most people. In fact, a fairytale is a short story that belongs to the folklore genre, which typically features magic, enchantments, and mythical or fanciful beings and is part of the culture of preliterate societies.
However, stories of Peter Pan, for instance, first appeared in J.M. Barrie’s 1902 novel written for adults, “The Little White Bird.” Another example of classic literature that is often considered a fairytale or children’s story, but actually originated as a novel for adults, “The Hunchback of Notre-Dame” (originally, titled “Notre-Dame de Paris (1482)” was published by Victor Hugo in 1831. This novel is an example of French Romanticism and champions historical preservation - solidifying Notre-Dame cathedral as a national icon.
I have always enjoyed a good fairytale retelling, and you can find them at any reading level. Sometimes, authors weave historical figures or social issues into their retellings. They often become the basis of their own stage and screen adaptations. You may have seen the film based on Gail Carson Levine’s 1997 “Ella Enchanted,” and everyone knows the award-winning Broadway musical, and soon to be two-part movie, “Wicked,” based on Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel by that name. While Carson Levine’s writing is considered young adult fiction, Maguire’s novels are for a more mature audience. But these are just two authors. When I googled fairytale fantasy, it resulted in a list of 75 titles ranging across all fairytales. That doesn’t include those examples of classic literature that are lumped in with fairytales and children’s literature.
If you’re interested in trying fairytale fantasies, Carson Levine’s books are a good choice. Alex Flynn is probably my favorite author for fairytale fantasies, with titles like “Beastly” and “A Kiss in Time.” Meaghan Spooner also takes a fresh look at fairytales. Check out her novel “Hunted” for a retelling of “Beauty and the Beast.” I recently read Gregory Maguire’s “Mirror, Mirror.” The plot premise is ingenious! Set in medieval Italy, Snow White’s evil stepmother character (the one with the poison apple) is Lucrezia Borgia. The story is highly sexualized, so this is not a book for all audiences, despite its fairytale roots. My daughter is a fan of Emily McIntire’s writing. “Hooked” is one of her favorites. She mentioned that McIntire’s books have a “hot villain” theme. I’m going to say these also are not for all audiences, including this reader.
There are plenty of retellings that aren’t based on fairytales. Under New Releases on the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Library’s website, I came across two that are new takes on classic literature. “Julia,” is Sandra Newman’s feminist retelling of George Orwell’s dystopian classic, “1984.” “The Scandalous Confessions of Lydia Bennett, Witch” by Melinda Taub shares the story of the youngest Bennett sister from Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice.” You know, the one who ran off with Mr. Wickham. Did she bewitch him? I don’t know. We’ll have to read it.
Maybe you’ve seen the 2009 title “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies” by Seth Grahame-Smith. My point is that there are a lot of retellings available for just about any reader. Right now I’m reading “March” by Geraldine Brooks, retelling Louisa May Alcott’s “Little Women” from the absent father’s point of view. Look for more about that soon.
I hope you’ll give retellings, fairytale fantasies or classics, a try. Happy (ever after) reading.
Anyway, back to my point ... fairytales. At least some of us are surrounded by them. But do you ever really think about them? Probably not. Did you know there is an entire group of authors who do? The retelling of fairytales is an entire sub-genre of fictional writing - often referred to as fairytale fantasies. The retelling of classic stories that aren’t technically fairytales may also be considered a part of this genre. It can get confusing. Thanks to Disney movies, there is little distinction between the two in the minds of most people. In fact, a fairytale is a short story that belongs to the folklore genre, which typically features magic, enchantments, and mythical or fanciful beings and is part of the culture of preliterate societies.
However, stories of Peter Pan, for instance, first appeared in J.M. Barrie’s 1902 novel written for adults, “The Little White Bird.” Another example of classic literature that is often considered a fairytale or children’s story, but actually originated as a novel for adults, “The Hunchback of Notre-Dame” (originally, titled “Notre-Dame de Paris (1482)” was published by Victor Hugo in 1831. This novel is an example of French Romanticism and champions historical preservation - solidifying Notre-Dame cathedral as a national icon.
I have always enjoyed a good fairytale retelling, and you can find them at any reading level. Sometimes, authors weave historical figures or social issues into their retellings. They often become the basis of their own stage and screen adaptations. You may have seen the film based on Gail Carson Levine’s 1997 “Ella Enchanted,” and everyone knows the award-winning Broadway musical, and soon to be two-part movie, “Wicked,” based on Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel by that name. While Carson Levine’s writing is considered young adult fiction, Maguire’s novels are for a more mature audience. But these are just two authors. When I googled fairytale fantasy, it resulted in a list of 75 titles ranging across all fairytales. That doesn’t include those examples of classic literature that are lumped in with fairytales and children’s literature.
If you’re interested in trying fairytale fantasies, Carson Levine’s books are a good choice. Alex Flynn is probably my favorite author for fairytale fantasies, with titles like “Beastly” and “A Kiss in Time.” Meaghan Spooner also takes a fresh look at fairytales. Check out her novel “Hunted” for a retelling of “Beauty and the Beast.” I recently read Gregory Maguire’s “Mirror, Mirror.” The plot premise is ingenious! Set in medieval Italy, Snow White’s evil stepmother character (the one with the poison apple) is Lucrezia Borgia. The story is highly sexualized, so this is not a book for all audiences, despite its fairytale roots. My daughter is a fan of Emily McIntire’s writing. “Hooked” is one of her favorites. She mentioned that McIntire’s books have a “hot villain” theme. I’m going to say these also are not for all audiences, including this reader.
There are plenty of retellings that aren’t based on fairytales. Under New Releases on the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Library’s website, I came across two that are new takes on classic literature. “Julia,” is Sandra Newman’s feminist retelling of George Orwell’s dystopian classic, “1984.” “The Scandalous Confessions of Lydia Bennett, Witch” by Melinda Taub shares the story of the youngest Bennett sister from Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice.” You know, the one who ran off with Mr. Wickham. Did she bewitch him? I don’t know. We’ll have to read it.
Maybe you’ve seen the 2009 title “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies” by Seth Grahame-Smith. My point is that there are a lot of retellings available for just about any reader. Right now I’m reading “March” by Geraldine Brooks, retelling Louisa May Alcott’s “Little Women” from the absent father’s point of view. Look for more about that soon.
I hope you’ll give retellings, fairytale fantasies or classics, a try. Happy (ever after) reading.
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