Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Coffee Addicted Writer
This week’s question is:
Do you enjoy reading retellings of, or ‘sequels’ to, classic novels? Why or why not?
Answer
Oh, retellings are my favorite!
And there are many reasons for that, but it is primarily because I rarely ever like classic novels themselves. A lot of classic novels are written by pretentious white dudes and I roll with mostly women authors, and even in the latter, there is the fact that not many classic novels really stand the test of time. I would much rather read a retelling which has modern concepts or worldview applied to it.
Also, on a technical level, the writing style of classic novels is, in a word, boring. I rarely find classic novels engaging enough – considering they are usually shorter than a regular novel these days, they still take ages to finish! Modern writing styles are more dynamic, layered and the level of characterization, world-building and plot coherence makes me feel that the authors of today are quite skilled compared to the authors a century ago.
Finally, can we give it up for authors who write retellings because they are able to reimagine a story in their own way, and have the guts to go elbow-deep into the guts of a classic.
YA on my Mind 
I totally agree with you I am big fan of retellings versus the classics. I find the retelling to be interesting and they take on such variations it makes it fun to read!
Omg yes there are so many ways a story can be interpreted. And so many ways it can be changed to be better
I love retellings, too.
I absolutely love retellings as well and that is understandable about classic about the writing style of classics. That’s why I listen too classic on audio so I won’t be bored with the writing style of the languages in classics. Thank you so much for sharing your awesome post here is my blog hop answer
http://katisbookaholicramblingreviews.blogspot.com/2018/03/book-blogger-hop-67.html#more
I have different views from you on the classics. I spent my mid-teens reading only classic novels. Yes, the style of writing is different, but that has never bothered me, and I happily swap between modern and old. While reading classics, you just have to accept that tastes and views were not the same as the ones we know today. As a lover of the classics, retellings and sequels are hit and miss for me. I’ve read some enjoyable ones, but I’ve also read some that are so awful they make you cringe.
I had read a few classic novels where I was a preteen and it didn’t really impress me. Then later on, I was more into contemporary novels and even though I occasionally read some classic novels, the truth was that very few even managed to hold my interest. I think Emma by Jane Austen is the only classic novel that I ever liked.
However, it also goes without saying that everyone has their own preferences. My opinions about writing styles is, well, my personal opinion. Though I have read some cringe-y retellings, too, overall the genre still remains one that I keep coming back to.
That was my opinion as well! I tend not to love most classics, Jane Eyre and anything written by Jack London aside. I recently read Alice and Lost Boy both by Christina Henry that I really enjoyed. They were dark, twisted retellings of Alice in Wonderland and Peter Pan that I loved, even though I didn’t enjoy the originals!
I look forward to reading more! I’m a follower on both twitter and wordpress.
This is interesting. While I do love classics, I don’t read the retellings. No other reason than I don’t find them interesting. I’ll have to disagree though with modern novels being more dynamic and layered, but that’s just from my experience.
Yes, people can have differing opinions on writing styles – it’s very much about what you find interesting! Agree to disagree on the quality of writing, though! 😅
/pretentious white dudes/ 😂😆 truth. Even though I do like a lot of classics, I’d agree with that sentiment.
My link: https://wp.me/p6C2DX-1v0
I chuckled at your description of classic authors as ‘pretentious white dudes’-not far at all from the truth! I do like some classics but I agree that modern writing styles are more dynamic. The classics often contain a lot of wordy description, whereas modern books are usually more action-packed.
I have to agree that classics can be difficult. I’ve only read a few classics, although I’m trying to get myself to read more, and it seems that for many of them I run into that wall of frustration where the language has changed so much that I cannot connect with the story or the characters. I’m not a fan of fairy tales in general, so I always have a hard time with them! Sad but true.
I like reading the classics and the retellings. For the retellings, I really enjoy the stories that are written from a different character’s POV. I also enjoy prequels and sequels, like Wicked by Gregory Maguire.
I have to check out a retelling. I actually have never heard of them. 🙂
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