Retellings of classic works have been a popular trend in literature for years, offering readers a fresh perspective on beloved stories. From modern adaptations to creative reimaginings, these retellings breathe new life into timeless tales, often challenging traditional interpretations and highlighting the enduring relevance of these works.

As an avid reader, I have always been drawn to retellings of classic works, eager to see how authors reimagine familiar stories for a contemporary audience. Here are the top ten retellings of classic works that I am eager to read in English:

1. “Circe” by Madeline Miller – Retelling of Homer’s “The Odyssey” from the perspective of the sorceress Circe, exploring themes of power, womanhood, and knowledge.

2. “The Song of Achilles” by Madeline Miller – A retelling of the epic love story of Achilles and Patroclus from Greek mythology, offering a fresh interpretation of their relationship.

3. “Wide Sargasso Sea” by Jean Rhys – A prequel to Charlotte Brontë’s “Jane Eyre,” this novel explores the backstory of Bertha Mason, the “madwoman in the attic”, giving a voice to a marginalized character.

4. “Longbourn” by Jo Baker – A reimagining of Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” from the perspective of the servants at Longbourn, shedding light on the class dynamics of 19th-century England.

5. “A Thousand Acres” by Jane Smiley – A modern retelling of Shakespeare’s “King Lear” set on a farm in Iowa, exploring themes of family, loyalty, and betrayal.

6. “Hag-Seed” by Margaret Atwood – A retelling of Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” set in a Canadian prison, where an exiled director stages a production of the play as a form of revenge.

7. “Rebecca’s Tale” by Sally Beauman – A sequel to Daphne du Maurier’s “Rebecca,” exploring the aftermath of the events in the original novel from the perspective of a new character.

8. “Lost Boy” by Christina Henry – A retelling of J.M. Barrie’s “Peter Pan” that explores the darker side of Neverland and the complex relationship between Peter and his lost boys.

9. “The Wrath and the Dawn” by Renée Ahdieh – A retelling of “One Thousand and One Nights” that reinvents the story of Scheherazade and her nightly tales to save her life.

10. “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West” by Gregory Maguire – A retelling of L. Frank Baum’s “The Wizard of Oz” that offers a sympathetic portrayal of the Wicked Witch of the West, challenging the traditional perception of her as a villain.

These retellings offer a fresh and imaginative take on classic works, inviting readers to see familiar stories in a new light. Each of these novels promises to challenge preconceived notions, delve deeper into the themes and characters of the original works, and add a contemporary twist that will appeal to modern audiences. As a lover of classic literature, I cannot wait to dive into these retellings and experience these timeless stories in a whole new way.