Retelling

Retelling is the act of recounting a story or event in a new form or from a different perspective, while often preserving core elements of the source. It differs from a summary by aiming to recreate experiences, tone, and texture, rather than only condensing content. Retellings can appear in literature, film, theater, and oral storytelling.

Purposes include interpreting and modernizing works for new audiences, exploring themes from alternate angles, or adapting material for different media. They can range from close retellings that stay faithful to the source to loose versions that alter setting, genre, or moral emphasis. Examples include fairy-tale reimaginings, myth retellings, and contemporary novels that retell classic plots.

Techniques commonly used in retellings include changing point of view, shifting time or setting, reordering events, and adding or removing characters or subplots. Some authors preserve a frame structure or recognizable plot beats, while others foreground genre shifts such as turning tragedy into a comedy or epic into a coming-of-age narrative. Allusions to the original text and intertextual references are frequent.

Copyright and ethics are important considerations for retellings derived from protected material. Unauthorized adaptations may infringe on rights, while classroom or transformative uses may fall under fair use in some jurisdictions; attribution and permissions are advised for published works.

In folklore and literature, retelling is a longstanding practice used to keep stories alive across generations and cultures. Contemporary authors continue the tradition by reimagining well-known narratives to reflect modern concerns.