Retold

Retold is the past participle of the verb retell. In general usage, retold describes a story that has been told again, often with changes in emphasis, perspective, or detail. When used as an adjective in discussions of literature or film, retold signals that the work presents a familiar narrative in a new form or vantage point.

In literary contexts, a retelling re-enacts a source material rather than creating an entirely original plot. Retellings commonly involve fairy tales, myths, or historical narratives, and may preserve key motifs while updating language, setting, or cultural assumptions. They can respond to contemporary concerns, expand underdeveloped backstories, or challenge original perspectives, such as gender roles or power structures.

Techniques include changing narrator viewpoint, relocating the action to a different time or place, rebalancing character agency, or foregrounding previously minor characters. Some retellings are marketed as adaptations, while others are described as reinterpretations or novel takes on classic tales.

Notable examples include Ella Enchanted, a modern fairy tale retelling of Cinderella by Gail Carson Levine; Cinder, a science fiction retelling by Marissa Meyer; and Angela Carter's The Bloody Chamber, a collection of dark, adult retellings of fairy tales. The term also applies beyond literature to films and other media that present familiar stories in renewed contexts.