We see it done everywhere in movies and books and on TV. In fact, there seems to be a resurgence of interest in fairytales in particular. See the success of shows like Once Upon A Time, or Grimm. Movies like Snow White and the Huntsman and Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters.
In books they're everywhere, too. RaShelle Workman's series Blood and Snow, (Snow White and Vampires), and Chanda Hahn's Unenchanted series.
Don't get me going on all the Jane Austin take offs.
Or maybe get me going. Have you seen the Jane Austin zombie books? (that's a rhetorical question).
People LOVE adaptations. Or I should say most. Some don't. Some hate when a beloved classic is carved up and reshaped.
I can understand that.
I'm guilty of a little carving and reshaping of a classic myself. My LOVE, TINK series does just that with PETER PAN.
Most readers like it:
Many say things along this vein:
"A quick and delightful read. I like this modern day twist on the old classic. It pulled me right in and lead me on to the second book" - Bish Denham
And this:
"I've always loved fairy tales and when this was touted as Enchanted meets Peter Pan I had to try it, and I'm glad I did. I smiled, sniffled and cheered while reading this." - Jennifer Hughey
But then I got this one:
Why did I read this??? WHY?? Oh wait, I convinced myself that because it had to do with Peter Pan, my favorite 'classic' character EVER, it wouldn't be like every other book I've read by this author, whose style I can just not enjoy.
I would not normally be this harsh, but I am mad. This book makes Peter into some New Yorker (noooo) who WANTS TO GROW UP!!! Sacrilege!
I admit, it made me pause.
Was I deviating from the original too far? Had I crossed some kind of invisible line? Perhaps I should've just turned Tinkerbell into a zombie, but left New York out of it. Apparently that would be fine.
Ultimately I decided to plow on. Those who like my carving and reshaping will continue to read the series and those who decidedly like things to STAY. THE. SAME. should decline.
All this to say, I'm proud to present Book 3 in the Love, Tink Series:
LOVE STINKS
LOVE STINKS, the third episode in the Love, Tink novella series finds
Tinkerbell enrolled in a New York City school as Belle Fehr. Peter Panelli finally notices her, but not in the way
she would like.
Wendy has her claws in deep and Peter appears devoted to her.
Should “Belle” give up and go back to Neverland? How exactly is she to do that?
And what is with that man she spotted in Central
Park who looks suspiciously like Captain Hook?
Only .99 on Amazon!
What do you think? Have we gone on an adaptation over-kill?
No, I love the adaptations because they often give them new spins and make them something us adults want to read/watch. So I think it's great you've done that with one of your favorite characters. Congrats on your new book.
ReplyDeleteThanks :)
DeleteI think your appreciation for an adaptation depends on how closely you're tied to the original. I don't read too many Jane Austen adaptations, because I feel so strongly about the original books (I think I'm one of the few P&P fans who absolutely loathes The Lizzie Bennet Diaries - and the main reason is for how they've adapted the characters). But Peter Pan? I'm fond of it, but not devoted, so I can read/watch many adaptations quite cheerfully, just curious to see what's being done with the classic tale.
ReplyDeleteI think that's why fairy tales are popular choices for adaptation, because they're familiar and people usually have warm feelings toward them, but we aren't so wrapped up in the original that it will break our hearts to see any changes made.
Good point, Louise. Very insightful!
DeleteYou and me both, Louise, on the Austen adaptations. Not only do I not read "too many" of them, I read none (the zombie ones make my blood boil just from looking at the cover). It's *because* I'm a rabid Austen fan that I won't go near any adaptations or "sequels" (shudder) with a 10-ft pole.
DeleteI think the other reason that fairytales are popular for adaptations is that they're not "owned" by any one writer. By definition, the characterizations are vague, sort of stereotypical, so there's lots of scope for the imagination.
The austin zombie books make me shudder too. There's just something wrong about that. :)
DeleteElle, you are amazingly productive. Awesome!!!!
ReplyDeleteI like adaptations. I think the danger is in taking something dear to fans and driving it down a unpopular path.
Thanks, SA. And true. I'd hoped my reference to Enchanted would be a heads up that New York might be involved. :)
DeleteI like adaptations when the authors write stories like yours; that is, they don't try to sound too much/exactly like the original authors, and they come up with their own original takes on the stories instead. That way, the characters can be perceived in a new and different way. And I like the idea of a storyline based on Tinkerbell, because she always seemed like she was in Peter Pan and Wendy's shadow; your series gives her her own story.
ReplyDeleteI did read one of the novels that was an adaptation of the Jane Austen books (though it wasn't the zombie one). I didn't like that adaptation at all, because the author really was trying to sound like Austen and her words just didn't ring true.
You're right. There is a fine line there.
DeleteI don't think there's any overkill on adaptations. I LOVE them! One of my books, Troy High, is a modern day retelling of the Trojan War, using high school football rivalries and pranks. So of course I love to find old familiar stories turned into new adventures. I agree with what Neurotic Workaholic said. I too like it when the new stories don't try to sound like the original story just plopped into a different setting, but instead have their own unique twist.
ReplyDeleteDon't let it stop you from writing the story you want to write. I've seen complaints from reviewers who said they read my book because they love The Iliad, but then hated my book because it was nothing like it. Which it isn't supposed to be. It's a new story BASED ON an old one, not IDENTICAL to the original.
I haven't had a chance to read the Love, Tink stories yet, but I think the concept sounds fun!
I think most "new" stories are adaptions of something at their core. Your Trojan War story sounds intriguing. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteAs an archetypal critic, I find this fascinating. You are right on the money!
ReplyDeleteI think it's supercute! And Cat loves these books! I think that ole fuddy duddy needs to just read something else. :D xoxo
ReplyDelete