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Davenport>Book Lists>Classics
Classics and Fairy Tales Retold
As 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!
- Jane Austen
- Pride and Prejudice - The gold standard for all romantic comedy novels. Much more fun than you may remember!
- Persuasion � Angsty and poignant and delicious.
- Emma - Mr. Knightley is a close second to Mr. Darcy in the Great Romantic Hero competition.
- Emily Bronte
- Jane Eyre - Mousy governess, brooding hero, crazy lady in the attic.
- E. M. Forster
- A Room With a View � A young British woman is transformed by Italy. Sigh. Made into a marvelous Merchant-Ivory movie.
- Harper Lee
- To Kill a Mockingbird � I can�t believe I didn�t read this until my twenties. Oh, the wasted years.
- Carson McCullers
- The Heart is a Lonely Hunter � No one�s as depressing as Carson. Still, she writes beautifully.
- Dawn Powell
- A Time to Be Born - 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 and less acerbic and often writes really beautiful, poetic passages.
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- Russell Banks
- Sweet Hereafter � Meditative and haunting tale of the aftermath of tragedy in a small town. Also a wonderful movie.
- Francesca Lia Block
- The Rose and the Beast � 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.
- ~New!~Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling (editors)
- A Wolf At the Door: and other Retold Fairy Tales - Collection of fairy tale retellings--more serious in tone than Vande Velde's (below).
- Pamela Dean
- Tam Lin � Imaginative retelling of the Scottish ballad set in a college.
- Robin McKinley
- Beauty � Awfully endearing retelling of the Beauty and the Beast tale. If you like Beauty, you may also like McKinley's other fantasy novels such as: Rose Daughter, Spindle's End and The Hero and the Crown.
- Vivian Vande Velde
- Tales from the Brothers Grimm and the Sisters Weird - Delightful collection of fairy tale retellings. Very funny.
- Jane Yolen
- Briar Rose � Retelling of Sleeping Beauty set partially in Germany during the Holocaust. Almost unbearably poignant.
- Jack Zipes
- Don�t Bet on the Prince (ed.) � Collection of retellings of fairy tales with a feminist and funny slant.
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Updated 2/26/06
Comments? Questions? Suggestions? Email me at schka46[at]hotmail.com.
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