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CarlyTown>The Library>Classics Classics and Fairy Tales RetoldAs a English major, I read more classics than anyone should ever have to. Hence, the small number of recommended classics on this list. Fairy tale retellings are awfully fun, though!Classics | Fairy Tales RetoldClassicsPride and Prejudice - Jane AustenThe gold standard for all romantic comedy novels. Much more fun than you may remember! Persuasion – Jane Austen Angsty and poignant and delicious. Emma - Jane Austen Mr. Knightley is a close second to Mr. Darcy in the Great Romantic Hero competition. Jane Eyre - Emily Bronte Mousy governess, brooding hero, crazy lady in the attic. A Room With a View - E. M. Forster A young British woman is transformed by Italy. Sigh. Made into a marvelous Merchant-Ivory movie. To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee I can’t believe I didn’t read this until my twenties. Oh, the wasted years. The Heart is a Lonely Hunter - Carson McCullers No one’s as depressing as Carson. Still, she writes beautifully. A Time to Be Born - Dawn Powell Witty, atmospheric novel set in New York City just before the U.S. entered WWII. Powell reminds me somewhat of Dorothy Parker, though she's more subtle, less acerbic and often writes really beautiful, poetic passages. Fairy Tales RetoldSweet Hereafter - Russell BanksMeditative and haunting tale of the aftermath of tragedy in a small town. Also a wonderful movie. The Rose and the Beast - Francesca Lia Block This collection of alternative fairy tale retellings is modern and alternative, but very lovely. If you like this one, you may also enjoy her YA Weetzie Bat novels. A Wolf At the Door: and other Retold Fairy Tales - Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling (editors) Collection of fairy tale retellings--more serious in tone than Vande Velde's (below). Tam Lin - Pamela Dean Imaginative retelling of the Scottish ballad set in a college. Beauty - Robin McKinley Awfully endearing retelling of the Beauty and the Beast tale. Tales from the Brothers Grimm and the Sisters Weird - Vivian Vande Velde Delightful collection of fairy tale retellings. Very funny. Briar Rose - Jane Yolen Retelling of Sleeping Beauty set partially in Germany during the Holocaust. Almost unbearably poignant. Don’t Bet on the Prince - Jack Zipes (ed.) Collection of retellings of fairy tales with a feminist and funny slant. Updated 11/21/06 Comments, questions, or suggestions? Email carly[at]carlytown.com. |
 Bad Book Club Children's Books Classics/Fairy Tales Five Books Genre Fiction Light Fiction Nonfiction Not Quite as Light Fiction Short Stories Young Adult Fiction Back to CarlyTown |