My summer reading journey continues. This week I'm finishing up The Graveyard Book, by Neil Gaiman. He also wrote Coraline, which I finished a few weeks ago. Here's the blurb:The Graveyard Book is the story of Nobody Owens (called "Bod" for short). At the start of the story, Bod is a toddler who witnesses the murder of his family by a mysterious man known as "Jack". Bod escapes from the family home before the murderer reaches him and stumbles into a nearby graveyard where the resident ghosts and other supernatural creatures "adopt" him and protect him from the evil Jack and his associates who continue to hunt for Bod.
I confess that the ghoulish take on The Jungle Book was intriguing. Have you read any retellings lately that you enjoyed?
48 comments:
I totally didn't get that it was a retelling of The Jungle Book until you said that. D'oh.
I read The Graveyard Book last fall and was quite intrigued with the unique premise. I'm laughing now that I know it's a take on The Jungle Book. It must be true - there really are no new stories in the world, just rewritten ones. It's the writer that makes it new.
Okay, I admit to not knowing what the heck is going on in the writing world I thought I was part of. I keep seeing posts where people say they're writing xyz, a retelling. Is this a hot new genre?
Not that I was aware of. The Graveyard Book sounds like something I'd like.
I had heard about The Graveyard Book, but didn't know much about it. Thanks for letting me know more about it. I will surely try to read it.
Do you follow Gaiman's blog? http://journal.neilgaiman.com/
He's super active on Twitter too, and fun to follow: http://twitter.com/neilhimself
I confess to being a major fan of fantasy. And it's what I write. I can't think, offhand, of any retellings that I liked.
Although I will say I generally detest sequels by people other than the original author.
Right now I'm reading Entwined by Heather Dixon which is a retelling of The Twelve Dancing Princesses and so far I'm liking it. My favorite retelling of all time though is Beauty by Robin McKinley. I haven't read any of Neil Gaiman's stuff, but this book sounds kind of fun. I might have to try it.
Whoa! I want to give this book a look-see when I go to the bookstore!
This book is on my to-read list at Goodreads.
I wasn't aware of its retelling of The Jungle Book, but I like the idea that even popular authors have to (or want to) retell other stories.
I loved this book. I haven't read any retellings, but I HAVE been watching "Sons of Anarchy" and some claim that is a retelling of "Hamlet." It's soooooo good!
I'm the biggest sucker for retellings.
Entwined by Heather Dixon, as someone mentioned already.
The Sleeping Beauty by Mercedes Lackey and Fairest by Gail Carson Levine are both off Snow-White
I've read a bunch of fairy-tales-gone-wrong/fairy-tale-jokes lately too, but those aren't actual retellings.
I read and enjoyed that book too! But I enjoyed his NEVERWHERE even more; you might give that one a try!! ;o)
Why is there so much murder in literature, these days?
I actually am not a fan of retellings. Not sure why, they just don't appeal to me, unless I felt the original story needed improving in the first place. ;)
Linda, retellings are hot, hot, hot. Whether or not people enjoy them or not is a different question!
I haven't read any retellings lately, but I read THE GRAVEYARD BOOK when it first came out (I really liked it). And, there are a few retellings in my to-be-read pile. Happy reading!
I haven't read the book I'm sorry to say, it sounds good so may see if the library has it,
Yvonne.
Haven't read that one. I liked his Stardust though.
OMG, it's a take on the Jungle Book?! I haven't read it yet, but I'll keep that in mind when I do. Haha.
I haven't read the book--it looks deliciously scary. I'll have to try it.
I just finished reading Paranormalcy, which I loved.
I'm a major Neil Gaiman fan! He's incredibly creative and talented, and writes for both children and adults (he recently wrote an episode for Dr. Who if you're into that). I loved both Coraline and The Graveyard Book.
Last summer I very quickly read through Coraline at the library, but haven't read The Graveyard Book. And unless the books specifically mentions its a retelling, I don't always catch on (or haven't read the original).
erica
I loved Coraline! I must read this one. I didn't know it was a Jungle Book retelling.
No re-tellings, no, but I love me some Neil. Neverwhere is one of my absolute favorites.
I had not seen that cover for the Graveyard Book. Love it.
And I love the story, too.
(Not surprising since Rudyard Kipling is one of my faves, too.)
Shelley
(But Coraline is too creepy for me!)
Hey, this is neat...and quite interesting considering I'm working on a "remake" of my own. Hmmm...
I love this book!! Yay!! The only example of fab re-telling I can think of at this time is West Side Story's re-telling of Romeo and Juliet! LOL!
Take care
x
Oooh that sounds awesomely spooky :) I haven't read any good retellings lately but I have a few on my TBR list. There's been a lot of Little Red Riding Hoods lately. Personally I prefer retellings of myths. There's one of my list that the retelling of Persephone's story. SO excited to read it!
ASH by Malinda Lo was a paranormal Cinderella retell that had me riveted.
I enjoyed his Neverwhere a lot.
Can't recall any, but there maybe retellings in disguise in my pile.
I'm embarrassed to admit I haven't read anything by Gaiman. But this book sounds so intriguing that I think I'll start with this one!
I admit I stopped in the middle of THE GRAVEYARD BOOK, but I do remember loving Gaiman's way with words, so it must've come at the wrong time for me to enjoy.
Retellings -- the last one I read was ICE by Sarah Beth Durst, which was a retelling of East of the Sun, West of the Moon, and was a very nice read.
I love, love, love Neil Gaiman, so I'll add this to my list! I don't read many re-tellings, but I've heard Wicked and Son of a Witch are both excellent. Have you read either one of them?
Like the premise. Can't think of any good retellings.
No I have not, but I like the blurb that you included. Very creative.
So funny because my friend has one of this guy's book. I've never read any of his work but I started following him on Twitter. Doesn't make any sense, I know, but I was curious :o)
I haven't read any remakes lately, but they are fun to see a different twist on a classic. Enjoy!
Hm...I don't think I've read a remake. But I wasn't exposed to much literature as a child, so I would't know one if it hit me square upside the head. Well, except the Disney creations. LOL.
We used to have retelling books in English class in elementary school and jr high, so-called "easy readers", simplified versions of the Jungle Book, Robin Hood and Tom Sawyer with a vocabulary limited to 500 or 1000 words. I never liked them, preferred to read the original versions, and rather use the dictionary from time to time >:)
Cold As Heaven
Atmospheric cover.
Yes, I just read THE HUNGER GAMES. I read that it was based on a series of Japanese books [Battle Royal] which I might read later.
I've been meaning to read this as I've heard nothing but great things. Thanks for the reminder to pick it up! :)
The latest retelling sort of story I read would be one about a woman who left the Amish. (Don't know if that's the kind you have in mind or not.) It was pretty interesting.
Happy 4th weekend!
Sure doesn't seem anything like Jungle Book!
Hi Lydia!
I've given you a BLOG AWARD and you can drop by anytime you're free to get it. Hopefully it helps to brighten up your day. :)
warm regards,
Nutschell
www.thewritingnut.com
I haven't read this one. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. :)
A great read
I just finished this one. I loved it. :) Happy 4th to you too.
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