Submitted by CCCL_RobynB
Lately I’ve been craving an escape from reality (anyone with me?). One genre I really like is fairytale retellings. It’s fun to read a story you are familiar with but with new twists and characters. Even though I love the Disney version of fairytales and stories, sometimes they fall short in terms of representation and relevance to our lives in the present day. Here are some reboots with diverse characters and modern themes that I’m looking forward to reading and watching:
Books
Cinderella is Dead by Kalynn Bayron – In this continuation of Cinderella, the heroine is a queer black teenager, trying NOT to find her prince charming.
Beau and Bett by Kathryn Berla – In this Beauty and the Beast retelling, Beau and Bett are high school students in southern California. Bett comes from a wealthy family but is bullied at school, and Beau is the popular kid from a low-income family. It also touches on sexual harassment and the #metoo movement.
The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh – Arabian Nights gets a new spin with this fantasy novel. Shazi is the female main character with smarts and sass, and there is plenty of romance, intrigue, and mystery to go around.
A Blade So Black by L.L. McKinney – Alice in Wonderland, but make it dark, gritty and set in Atlanta!
Blanca and Roja by Anna-Marie McLemore – Snow White and Swan Lake come together in a tale about curses and the power of sisterly love, reimagined with Latinx characters.
DVDs
Once Upon a Time - This fantasy-drama series brings all of your favorite fairytale characters into one world. There are so many plot twists and cliffhangers that it is perfect for a rainy-day TV marathon. Seasons one and two of seven available through the library catalog.
Maleficent – The villain gets her chance to shine in this movie! We learn Maleficent’s back story in this darker twist on Sleeping Beauty.
Enchanted – Okay, so this IS a Disney movie but it basically spoofs the fairytale genre in a very funny and charming way.
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