Greetings bookworms, bibliophiles, and literary enthusiasts! Let’s dive into the fascinating world of contemporary retellings of classic literature. This topic is becoming increasingly popular in recent years, with many authors and storytellers putting their unique spin on timeless tales. In this blog, we will explore some of the modern retellings of classic literature that have captured the hearts of readers worldwide.

What are Contemporary Retellings? 🤔📖

Contemporary retellings, as the name suggests, refer to modern adaptations or reinterpretations of classic literature. The idea is to take a classic story and add a modern twist to it, making it relevant to today’s audience. For instance, a contemporary retelling of Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” might place the characters in a high school setting with social media as a major theme. These retellings often emphasize the timeless and universal themes of the original work while presenting them in a fresh and innovative way.

A stack of classic books with a single modern book on top

The Appeal of Contemporary Retellings 🤩📚

One of the main reasons why contemporary retellings have become so popular is because they offer a new perspective on old stories. These retellings allow us to view classic tales through a modern lens, making them more relatable to contemporary audiences. Moreover, they often update outdated and problematic elements that were present in the original work. For instance, a retelling of “The Great Gatsby” might explore the racism and classism present in the original story, which was not as much of a focus during its original publication. In this way, contemporary retellings can breathe new life into classic stories and make them relevant to new generations of readers.

A person sitting in a cozy reading nook surrounded by several retellings of classic literature

Examples of Contemporary Retellings 📖💫

Now that we have established what contemporary retellings are and why they are popular, let’s take a look at some examples of modern adaptations of classic literature.

“The Lunar Chronicles” by Marissa Meyer 🌙👸🤖

“The Lunar Chronicles” is a series of young adult science-fiction novels that reimagine classic fairy tales such as “Cinderella”, “Little Red Riding Hood”, and “Snow White” in a futuristic world with robots, intergalactic wars, and cyborgs. Each book in the series features a different fairy tale retelling, but all are interconnected, creating an epic and wholly original story.

A book cover of "Cinder" by Marissa Meyer, featuring a cyborg foot in a red high-heel shoe

“The Hogarth Shakespeare Project” 🎭📚🔨

“The Hogarth Shakespeare Project” is a series of novels in which contemporary authors retell and adapt plays by William Shakespeare. Each novel is based on a different play, and the authors are free to interpret and adapt the story in their own unique way. Some of the authors involved in this project include Jeanette Winterson, Margaret Atwood, and Tracy Chevalier.

A group of books from "The Hogarth Shakespeare Project" with their book jackets depicting the original plays

“The Song of Achilles” by Madeline Miller 🏺🛡️🌊

“The Song of Achilles” is a retelling of the epic Greek myth of Achilles and his love for Patroclus. The novel explores the relationship between the two men in more depth than the original myth, touching on themes such as love, loss, and sacrifice. Miller’s writing style and poetic language breathe new life into this ancient tale, making it a must-read for fans of Greek mythology.

A book cover of "The Song of Achilles" featuring a shield with an image of two men embracing

Final Thoughts 💭🤔

Contemporary retellings are an excellent way to rediscover classic literature and experience these timeless tales in new and exciting ways. Whether you are a fan of sci-fi, fantasy, or romance, there’s a modern retelling out there for everyone. So why not dive into a new retelling today and see how a classic story can be transformed into something truly unique and captivating.

A person reading a book with a big smile on their face, surrounded by stacks of books