We grew up hearing and reading Fairy tales. Even if most of them are prejudistic and misogynistic, fairy tales has a certain charm associated with it. The beautiful Palaces, gorgeous Princesses, chivalrous Prince Charmings, Fairy Godmothers, Witches, Goblins and Magic! However, given a chance, wouldn’t you want to rewrite some of the popular fairytales? I would most definitely want to change the ‘damsel-in-distress’ themes to I-can-look-after-myself storyline.
Hundreds of Fairy tale retellings do exist and here are few of my favorites and most anticipated reads of 2019.
FAIRY TALE RETELLINGS
Based on Cinderella
Cinder and The Lunar Chronicles
Marissa Meyer’s Cinder has Cinderella revamped! Imagine a badass cyborg
Cinder isn’t a stand-alone book. It is a series with the name The Lunar Chronicles. If you want to read sci-fi romance with a feisty heroine, pick this one up! The other books in the series are Scarlet, Cress, Fairest, and Winter based on Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, and Snow White! Ah, I should read these ones as well.
All the Ever Afters:
There are many fairy tale retellings based on Cinderella of which the book ‘All the Ever Afters’ by Danielle Teller is my favorite. I’m only halfway through the book but the plot had me intrigued. This retelling of the Cinderella story is from the evil stepmother – Agnes’s point of view. What I love the most about this book is the inclusion of parts of the original story in the most surprising of ways. The writing style is beautiful and the story flows smoothly. It is fascinating to read the other side of the popular story and I must say, I picked up this book for its rave reviews and stunning book cover! What a beauty!
Ella Enchanted:
Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine is a Newbery Honor book which was later remade into a movie. The book and movie are poles apart, so do not dare compare the two. Ella was given the gift of obedience by a fairy. But was that really a gift? Imagine this:
“Ella, hold your tongue!”
Now you know what I mean. It was sort of the curse of compulsion and Ella couldn’t deny any orders given to her. So, Ella embarks on an adventure to find a way to break the curse. This books is packed with lots of fun and adventure. A romance is definitely in order and a happily ever after is a given!
Stepsister:
One of the most anticipated YA reads of the year, Stepsister by Jennifer Donnelly claims that it is a feminist retelling of Cinderella with Isabella, the ugly stepsister, the protagonist. I can’t wait to read this book!
Based on Beauty and the Beast
A Curse So Dark and Lonely:
Brigid Kemmerer’s A Curse So Dark and Lonely was one of the most anticipated
Prince Rhen of Emberhall is cursed to repeat the autumn of his eighteenth over and over again where he could be saved only if a girl falls for him. However, he turns into a beast and destroys everyone who holds him dear. Harper Lacy tries to save someone in Washington but finds herself in Rhen’s cursed world. Will she be able to save Rhen? And herself?
Based on Alice in Wonderland
Heartless
Here’s another book by Marissa Meyer! Heartless is a prequel to the classic ‘Alice in Wonderland’. Heartless is an epic retelling of Alice in Wonderland, with the focus being on The Queen of Hearts. It is the villain’s story before she became the notorious Queen of Hearts and that itself is intriguing enough for me. Lying on my Kindle, I am hoping to read this book before the month ends.
Based on The Little Mermaid
The Surface Breaks:
The Surface Breaks by Louise O’ Neill is a feminist retelling of the Little Mermaid. Gaia, our little mermaid lives in a patriarchial kingdom where for mermaids, it is important only to have beauty and not brains. The women are oppressed and powerless. When you read this book, you cannot help but ponder over how we can very much relate to the present world. I have a
“I will flay the skin from the bones of men like my father. I will tear them apart and I will eat them raw. Oh, I will set them on fire and devour their ashes whole… I will have my vengeance.”
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That’s all for now!
Have you read any fairytale retelling? Which is your favorite? Let me
I hope you’ll drop by tomorrow too.
My theme for the A to Z Challenge this year is ‘Celebrating the Bibliophile in me’, where I would share the books, authors and fictional characters that I love, loathe and tolerate.
Ah, there could be more!
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Sitharaam Jayakumar says
The gift of obedience if you can call it a gift, reminds me of most Indian parents who behave like instruction manuals and expect their children to obey without arguing. I like the storyline. Finding a way to break this gift or rather the curse. The surface breaks also reminds me of the Indian society where in every matrimonial ad we find the word ‘Girl should be beautiful’ irrespective of what the boy looks like. All these books seem to be breaking stereotypes. The two I have mentioned in this comment are in my TBR.
Andrea says
I got All the ever afters! Sounds intriguing, thanks for the recommendations!
Andrea recently posted…Freedom of making mistakes
Vidhya says
Woow an interesting post! Loved it
Liam Sullivan says
I’m a definite yay, because all fairy tales are essentially retellings. The familiar 20th century stories by Disney and others were retellings of the Brothers Grimm who retold stories that had been told and told again. I like how generations of storytellers keep the tale going by making it relevant.
Liam Sullivan recently posted…Movie Review: F for Fake (1973) #atozchallenge
Random Musings says
I love fairy tale retellings and I’ll be keeping an eye out for Stepsister
Debbie
Shalini says
I really hope the book is good!
Kaddu says
Wow! That is some curse on Ella! I think I would love to read it.
Liked how you made this list, Shalzzz. Really useful post for booklovers!
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Shalini says
Thank you very much 🙂
Lianne says
Ella Enchanted is a great book. The author has a couple other good books!
Manas Mukul says
You know that I dont believe in fairy tales – but only in ‘Fairies’ 😉 😉 😀 😀
You have chosen a unique theme. Keep flying.
#ContemplationOfaJoker #Jokerophilia
Shalini says
Hahaha. I guess I know that 😛
Thanks for your kind words. Means a lot!
Lianne says
Thank you. This is a great list.
Some of these I have read and loved but the others I will have to read now!!
If you want a girl who does it herself then you need to read Patricia C Wrede’s series Dealing With Dragons The Enchanted Forest Chronicles.
4 books. Light, clean fun reading with a herion who wants to and does it. Fantasy but not based on fairy tales.
Suhasini says
Wow, thank you for giving us this wonderful list at one place. Always an admirer of fairtales
Reema D'souza says
This is an interesting list. I haven’t read any of these. I’m going to add these to my to be read list and I hope that I can read them soon.
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