Must-Read Classics and their Retellings

Can we just take a moment to freak out about how stunning this cover is?! We’re in love! This beloved Great American novel has been repackaged, and we are so excited for more people to read the classic that has captivated readers for years with its exploration of class, wealth, and love. Not only that, but we’re excited about all the retellings that this classic has inspired! Check out some of our favorites below! 

Atmospheric and haunting, Wild and Wicked Things is the perfect speculative escape. This beautifully written tale of queer love in an alternative post-WWI England invokes the glittering world of Gatsby with a blend of blood magic and gothic mystique. Perfect for those hungry for twists on the classics. 

Who doesn’t love a magical twist on an American canon?! Vo’s debut captures the glittering excess of a Gatsby retelling while layering in commentary on gender, race, sexuality … and MAGIC! This is Gatsby reinvented with stunning illusions and revolution. It is a dreamy interpretation that draws you into a world filled with mystery and drama. It is surreal and haunting and will leave you utterly spellbound throughout. 

Centering three women and alternating through their perspectives, this reimagining of The Great Gatsby will keep readers captivated as their lives are on the edge of unraveling at the center of an investigation of the murder of Jay Gatsby. Pick up this book for the glitz and glamor of the Jazz Age’s The Great Gatsby in a fresh light.  

A tumultuous origin story of one of the most famous and unforgettable literary narrators, Nick is a true cross-continental bildungsroman. This emotional novel successfully puts The Great Gatsby into an entirely new perspective and era: from the battlefields of World War I to the drunken streets of Paris and New Orleans. Dive back into the world of an unparalleled classic. 

Elizabeth, Darcy, and a glamorous new cover? Sign us up for this stunning repackaging of the romance that has spurred so many spinoffs, reimaginings, and retellings! We cannot wait to get our hands on this beautiful packaging, and while you’re at it, go ahead and check out some of our favorite Pride and Prejudice retellings and remixes. 

This modern retelling will captivate you as each of the beloved Bennett sisters take on the modern world. It has everyone’s favorite things: people returning to their hometowns, messy and complex family dynamics, and mistaken first impressions! This clever book will rejuvenate your love of Austen’s beloved classic with its fresh take. 

Pride and Premeditation is the fresh and fun spin on a treasured Jane Austen classic we didn’t know we needed. Rather than getting married, 17-year-old Lizzie Bennett is set on becoming a barrister just like her father. When Charles Bingley is accused of murder, Lizzie takes it upon herself to prove his innocence and her legal prowess. Twists and turns abound in this delightfully authentic, yet still utterly original reinterpretation of Pride and Prejudice. 

For a brilliant retelling balancing cultural identity, class, and gentrification, you won’t want to miss this stunning read by Ibi Zoboi! Taking place in Brooklyn, this book follows Zuri Benitez and Darius Darcy, two teens who become neighbors and are forced to find common ground. With many distractions fighting for Zuri’s attention, she must work to find her place in Bushwick’s shifting community.  

This modern-day Muslim Pride and Prejudice is a delightful romance that will keep readers utterly captivated and bring the classic to a new audience. Full of loneliness, surprise engagements, and complicated rumors that bring feelings to light, this book is everything readers love about Pride and Prejudice and so much more!