Growing up, we have all come across various children’s classic tales. Favorite bedtime stories by our parents and classics from our school library. But did you know how some of these children’s classic tales have inspired writers to create some of the most heart-warming, thought-provoking, and entertaining adult fiction books?
Some of these adult fiction books have turned the original tales on their head and given them a modern twist, while others have expanded on the original stories. Here, we have compiled a list of 12 adult fiction books that were inspired by children’s classic tales that you must read!
1. “The Beast’s Garden” by Kate Forsyth – The book is inspired by The Grimm’s Brother tale “Beauty and the Beast,” set in Nazi Germany, where a young Australian woman wants to resist the Nazi rule and falls in love with a member of the Resistance.
2. “Boy, Snow, Bird” by Helen Oyeyemi – Inspired by the story of “Snow White.” The story is set in New England in the 1950s and follows a girl named Boy Novak who moves to a small town and marries a widower with a beautiful daughter named Snow.
3. “The Snow Child” by Eowyn Ivey – Inspired by the Russian fairy tale “The Snow Maiden.” The novel follows an older couple who live in the Alaskan wilderness and build a child out of snow, which somehow manages to come to life.
4. “Cinder” by Marissa Meyer – Inspired by the classic tale of “Cinderella.” This book is part of the Lunar Chronicles series where Cinder, a cyborg mechanic, is given a chance at love and happiness with a prince.
5. “The Buried Giant” is a novel by the Booker Prize” by Kenneth Grahame – Inspired by The Wind in the Willows, one of the most beloved books, “The Buried Giant” is a novel by the Booker Prize-winning author Kazuo Ishiguro. The book follows an elderly couple seeking their son in a mythical and ancient England.
6. “The Bloody Chamber” by Angela Carter – Inspired by tales like “Little Red Riding Hood” and “Beauty and the Beast.” The Bloody Chamber is a collection of dark and sensual stories that are a feminist retelling of the original fairy tales.
7. “The Nightingale and the Rose” by Oscar Wilde – Inspired by his own work called “The Nightingale and the Rose.” The story follows a young romantic named Hans who falls in love with a young girl and learns about love and sacrifice.
8. “After Alice” by Gregory Maguire – Inspired by the book “Alice in Wonderland.” After Alice follows the parents of Alice Liddell as they discover their daughter’s lost diary and follow her footsteps into the psychedelic world.
9. “The Wide Sargasso Sea” by Jean Rhys – Inspired by the life of Bertha Mason from “Jane Eyre.” The book tells her story and how she ended up in the attic of Thornfield Hall.
10. “Hag-Seed” by Margaret Atwood – Inspired by “The Tempest” by William Shakespeare. The story is about a retired theatre director who is staging a play of “The Tempest” and seeking revenge.
11. “Lost Boy” by Christina Henry – Inspired by “Peter Pan.” Lost Boy is a dark prequel that tells the story of how Peter became Peter Pan, how he led his band of lost boys, and the secrets on the island.
12. “Grendel” by John Gardner – Inspired by “Beowulf.” Grendel is a prequel to the epic poem that tells the story of the monster of the same name.
Conclusion
Are you in search of a new page-turner? Look no further than the 12 adult fiction books inspired by children’s classic tales. These unique novels offer a fresh twist on old favorites, providing an unforgettable reading experience.
Whether you’re looking for a romantic story or a spine-tingling thriller, there’s something in this list for everyone. You’ll be transported to a world of adventure and imagination by picking up one of these captivating books.
Plus, with the convenience of being able to purchase these novels on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other online stores, the journey to your next favorite read is just a click away. So go ahead and treat yourself to a cozy reading day with one of these incredible books – you won’t be disappointed!
