retells

Retellings, or retells, are new versions of existing stories in which authors preserve core elements while reframing aspects such as setting, perspective, or cultural context. The term covers a range of practices in literature and media, though in literary discussion it typically refers to prose novels and short fiction that reinterpret traditional narratives rather than merely translating them into a new medium.

Common types include fairy-tale retellings (Cinderella, Snow White), myth or legend retellings (Orpheus, Penelope), and historical or contemporary retellings that place familiar plots in new times or settings. Perspective retellings recount the same events from a different voice, such as a minor character or an antagonist. Cross-cultural retellings adapt stories for different cultural contexts, often shedding new light on familiar motifs.

Purposefully, retellings can illuminate themes, critique social norms, or invite new audiences to classic stories. They may preserve motifs while exploring them anew, or diverge significantly to challenge expectations. Retellings frequently engage with issues of representation, gender, power, and authorship, offering fresh angles on well-known narratives.

Notable examples include Cinder by Marissa Meyer, a science-fiction retelling of Cinderella; The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood, which retells the Odyssey from Penelope’s perspective; Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys, a prequel-style retelling of Jane Eyre from Bertha Mason’s viewpoint; Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine, a children’s fantasy retelling of Cinderella; and Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith. These works illustrate how retellings expand the life of traditional stories across genres and audiences.