Pick a book or story and imagine it in a new genre. For example, what would Oliver Twist be like if it was a sci-fi novel. Would Fagin have been a robot? Do you prefer you new creation or the original?
There are so many books that have done an awesome job of this. I love Malinda Lo's version of Cinderella in Ash. I think her version is much more romantic than the original. I also love Marissa Meyer's take on Cinderella in Cinder where of course Cinderella is a cyborg. Jackson Pearce's fairytale retellings are tons of fun. My favorite is Sisters Red.
I've heard people say there's only 12 plots or something and we just retell the same stories over and over again. But I tend to be pretty dense when it comes to picking up on these things. I can get so wrapped up in the current story that if it's well done, I don't compare it to anything else. I read somewhere that The Dark Knight Rises is a retelling of A Tale of Two Cities which totally makes sense now, but I did not pick up on it at the time. Just the other day I was watching The Lion King for the tenth time and it suddenly it occurred to me, hey this is kind of a way happier version of Hamlet.
I don't know, I'd like to see Macbeth in space. The witches could be aliens. But someone else can do the work and write it. :)
What do you think? What are your favorite retellings?
See Michelle's post from yesterday and tomorrow see what Cole thinks.
MACBETH in space is a fantastic idea. I'm also pretty dense when it comes to spotting retellings in main stream movies. Never caught on to THE LION KING, HAMLET connection :)
ReplyDeleteI didn't think of The Lion King of Hamlet, either! Funny. My sis just told me about a Sense and Sensibility in modern times called From Prada to Nada. Haven't watched it yet, but I want to. Something about familiar tales remade is just fun -- that mix of the nostalgic with the novel. Nostalgia and Novelty... sounds like a Jane Austen title. :) I'm not a Shakespeare girl, but Macbeth in space does sound intriguing.
ReplyDeleteOh wow. I watched Lion King and Lion King 2 and did not make the connection either. ALTHOUGH, now that I think about it, Lion King 2 was obviously Romeo and Juliet.
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