There is no doubt that Shakespeare has has a massive impact on literature and culture in our world. The plays are studied in school, performed every day, and talked about constantly. So it is no wonder that in the current era of writing, there have been countless Shakespeare retellings.
One of my favorite genres of books to read is retellings, especially when I am familiar with the source material. I love peeling back the layers of the story and seeing how a different author takes a story that is well known and makes it their own.
Even when I’m not the biggest fan of the source material, I still love a good retelling. It often makes me like the original a little bit better. That is especially true with Shakespeare. I’ll be honest, I have never been a fan. I have the patience of a peanut, and it takes way too long to figure out what he is saying. Yes, I was the student who only read the No Fear Shakespeare version of the plays when we studied them.
Shakespeare just has a funny way of saying things, no doubt about that. So much so that a few days ago was declared National Talk Like Shakespeare Day! That’s right! A couple of days ago, April 23, was National Talk Like Shakespeare Day! Amazing, right?
What a perfect week to talk about some Shakespeare retellings in novel form! I haven’t read most of these books on this list, so know that going in. This will just be a compilation of some of the most popular Shakespeare retellings out there today!
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Modern Shakespeare Retellings
1. These Violent Delights by Chole Gong
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Probably one of the most well-known books on this list right now, These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong is a retelling of the classic Shakespeare play, Romeo and Juliet, but it is set in Shanghai in the 1920s. Not only is there a blood feud between two gangs (classic Montague vs. Capulet), but there are also fantastical elements in the form of a monster lurking in the dark! Together, Juliette and Roma must set aside their difference to save both the gangs from destruction.
This is a book I plan to read this year! I have heard so many positive things about this debut novel from Chloe Gong, I can’t wait to see what all the hype is about.
2. If I’m Being Honest by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka
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For a fun take on the tale of The Taming of the Shrew, check out If I’m Being Honest by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka. This story is about Cameron, the school’s mean girl. She has a reputation for being rude, but when she messes up in front of her crush, she wants to fix it. This includes making amends to those who she has wronged, starting with Brendan. However, while she is making amends, she starts to learn more about Brendan and realizes he is actually a really great guy.
Fun fact: This book was published on April 23, 2019. That’s right! National Talk Like Shakespeare Day! What a good day to publish a Shakespeare retelling!
3. The Last True Poets of the Sea by Julia Drake
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If there is one thing I’m gonna do, it’s pointing out a beautiful cover. And this is one. Thank you.
Anyway, The Last True Poets of the Sea by Julia Drake is a retelling of the Shakespeare play, Twelfth Night. This story follows Violet, who has been sent to Lyric, Maine, where she spent many summers when she was young, while her sibling Sam is in treatment for a suicide attempt. While there, Violet teams up with a local history buff, Liv, as they attempt to find a famously lost shipwreck.
I love the idea of searching for a hidden shipwreck. In my free time, I am constantly watching the History Channel and Travel Channel, so this book sounds perfect for me! I have little knowledge of Twelfth Night, but I’m willing to learn for this book!
4. Hag-Seed by Margaret Atwood
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Hag-Seed by Margaret Atwood is a retelling of the Shakespeare play, The Tempest. It follows Felix, who was recently removed from his job as artistic director of the Makeshiweg Theatre Festival. With his production of The Tempest canceled, he is devastated, and wants to get revenge. With the help of a professional actress and students from the literacy through theatre class at Burgess Correctional Institution, Felix sees the perfect opportunity to get back at the people that changed his life for the worse.
This book sounds so far out of what I usually read, which makes me even more interested in reading it. This book is definitely one on my TBR!
5. The King of Infinite Space by Lyndsay Faye
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Not only is this a retelling of Hamlet, but it also has LGBTQIA+ and neurodivergent representation. This book is about Ben, who always leans on his best friend Horatio in times of need, like now when his mother is getting married to his late father’s brother. However, the relationship between Ben and Horatio starts to become more, which causes issues. At the same time, Ben’s ex-fiance, Lia, has come in contact with someone who creates magical floral bouquets that can be poisons or antidotes. These two stories will intertwine and result in drama, curses, and death.
Hamlet is one of the few Shakespeare plays I have actually read multiple times, so I am excited to learn about this retelling! With a lot of positive reviews, I am interested in seeing how this author interprets the source material!
6. The Way Madness Lies by Lily Anderson, Brittany Cavallaro, Patrice Caldwell, Emily Wibberley, Austin Siegmund-Broka, A.R. Capetta, and Cory McCarthy (Edited by Dahlia Adler)
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This is an anthology bringing together many YA authors reimagining Shakespeare’s stories! It includes 15 different tales all based on classic plays. I don’t read a lot of anthologies, but this one I’m interested in! It also seems like a great way to get young people excited about Shakespeare through retellings!
7. Foul is Fair by Hannah Capin
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As a retelling of Macbeth, Foul is Fair by Hannah Capin is about Elle. Along with her friends Mads, Jenny, and Summer, they make up the popular group in their LA circle. That is until some boys from St. Andrews Prep choose Elle as a target. After this, Elle is set on revenge and will go to great lengths to destroy everyone involved. She even goes as far as transferring to St. Andrews Prep, where she plans to take them all down, one by one.
I do love a good revenge plot, and with all the positive reviews of this book, I am excited to see where the author takes this one!
8. A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley
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A retelling of Shakespeare’s King Lear, A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley is about Larry, who plans to split his land among his three children. However, when one of his daughters, Caroline, is less than excited about it, he decides to cut her out of the deal and give it to the remaining two. The story follows as Larry’s children deal with his farm as he deteriorates.
This is the oldest book on this list, being released in 1991. I have seen a lot of mixed reviews on the story, but it is certainly one of the most well-known Shakespeare retellings in this modern age.
9. I, Iago by Nicole Galland
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I, Iago by Nicole Galland is a retelling of Othello from the eyes of the villain. In this tale, the reader gets a chance to understand the motivations and reasons behind Iago’s actions. The story takes place before and during the original play by Shakespeare. I am a huge fan of stories told from the point of view of villains, especially retellings. It gives an entirely new twist on a classic tale.
10. Tigers, Not Daughters by Samantha Mabry
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In this King Leer retelling in a modern setting, Tigers, Not Daughters by Samantha Mabry is about the Torres sisters, who are still grieving after the death of their sister. While they are dealing with the aftermath of loss, they start to notice weird things happening in their home. They are unsure if it really is their late sister trying to communicate with them, and they work together to try and figure out what she is trying to tell them.
I do love a good ghost story, so this one seem like the perfect read. There are also so many positive reviews on Goodreads!
What are your favorite kinds of retellings? There are so many, like classics, fairy tales, and Shakespeare retellings. Leave them in the comments below! I love getting new book recommendations!
Another question, do you prefer reading the original source material before you read the retelling, or do you just dive in? I tend to like to read the source material so I have an understanding of the twists and liberties that the author takes, but for Shakespeare retellings, I usually read a summary of the plot and nothing more. Sorry!
There are so many fascinating books on this list, I added so many of these to my TBR while creating this post! A lot of different play being retold, with a lot of different modern twists!