Task #2: Read a retelling of a classic of the canon, fairytale, or myth by an author of color

[Cindi]

If no one else has suggested it, Rick Riordan Presents works with authors of middle grade books telling different culture myths, some are authors of color. They are wonderful books, and some also work for the middle grade book not set in the US or UK prompt as well.

[Westiegirl]

Bonnie G. wrote: "Westiegirl wrote: "I admit I am unsure of Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia counts? It is apparently a dark fairy tale inspired by Mexican folklore. Thoughts? Thanks!"

I had it on my..."
Thanks! Then I read Gods of Jade and Shadow for this prompt.

[Rebekah]

Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors by Sonali Dev is on sale on Google Play for $1.99 right now

[Laura]

I read _Pride_ by Ibi Zoboi which is a retelling of Pride and Prejudice set in Bushwick. Excellent! I highly recommend.

[Rachel]

I just finished Ayesha at Last, a homage to Pride and Prejudice

[Kari]

Becky wrote: "I think I'll read either The Changeling or The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor Lavalle."

I forgot about The Ballad of Black Tom! I read it last year, and loved it so much. A re-working of a super problematic Lovecraft story from a black perspective. Highly recommended for this challenge if you haven't read it!

[Emerging]

Hmm... so far I'm not finding a whole lot that appeals other than Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie, so I will probably go with that one unless something else pops up on my radar screen.

[Richard]

I'm sorely tempted to count the book I just finished, Mary Toft; or, The Rabbit Queen, which is a retelling of a bizarre true story. If I don't, I might pick up his first novel, The Dream of Perpetual Motion, which is a retelling of the Tempest.

[Westiegirl]

I ended up reading a 2nd book for this topic The Raven and the Reindeer by T. Kingfisher. It is a retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s "Snow Queen," It was a fun book!

[Emily]

I've seen Helen Oyeyemi pop up in this thread a lot. I just finished Boy, Snow, Bird. It's a very loose retelling of Snow White, if that's up your alley.

[Mandie]

Having just finished The Black God's Drums, I feel like it fits perfectly for this prompt. Any thoughts?

[Bonnie G.]

Mandie wrote: "Having just finished The Black God's Drums, I feel like it fits perfectly for this prompt. Any thoughts?"

What is it a retelling of?

[Mandie]

Bonnie G. wrote: "Mandie wrote: "Having just finished The Black God's Drums, I feel like it fits perfectly for this prompt. Any thoughts?"

What is it a retelling of?"

The tales of Oya, Oshun, and Shango (2 goddesses and a god within Santeria and part of the Yoruba pantheon). It's not solely a retelling of them, but within the story, the use of them feels like a retelling. If that makes sense?

[Bonnie G.]

sounds perfect

[Shelley]

I went with Gods of Jade and Shadow, which even if it's more of a borrowing than an actual retelling, I figure it's within the spirit of the prompt. It was an excellent book that I completely recommend.

[Denise]

We read Home Fire for our January Book Club Book and it was excellent. It prompted a very deep discussion. We watched a video of Sophocle’s play Antigone during our meeting as this is essentially a contemporary retelling of Sophocles.

[Emerging]

Someone recently sent me Two Old Women: An Alaskan Legend of Betrayal, Courage and Survival by Velma Wallis (mentioned by Chickadee above) and I started it for this task. With all the libraries closed for a while, I am relying mainly on my home collection for the challenge. I'm really enjoying the book so far and it is going to be a quick read, since it is quite brief. This book is also a fit for task #24, if anyone is looking for suggestions for that one.

[Christi]

Does anyone know anything about Yesenia Vargas and whether she'd be considered an AOC? All I can find is that she lives in Georgia. But her book #The Real Cinderella is free at Amazon right now, and is a retelling of the Cinderella story.

[Bonnie G.]

https://www.yeseniavargas.com/about

She says she is of Mexican Heritage so it sounds like it will work.

[Rebecca]

I chose Unmarriageable by Soniah Kamal for this task. It is the retelling of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice with a Pakastani twist and I loved it!!

[Emerging]

My plans for this task changed due to the pandemic. I had intended to read Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie, but went with Two Old Women: An Alaskan Legend of Betrayal, Courage and Survival by Velma Wallis instead, since I had it on hand. I would still like to read "Home Fire" at some point.

"Two Old Women" is a simple, inspiring story. The writing style is unadorned, but compelling. It was a good read!

[Audrey]

I just finished Sleeping Beauty by Elle Lothlorien. She has a whole series of reworked fairy tales.

[Tanya]

I'm going to read Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado. I've heard a lot of buzz about this author and am excited to explore this.

[Sarah]

Hi, l've read THE KAPPA CHILD - by Hiromi Goto. lts not on the List. How do l add it? or does it not matter?
thanks - Sarah (1st time doing the challenge)

[Bonnie G.]

Sarah wrote: "Hi, l've read THE KAPPA CHILD - by Hiromi Goto. lts not on the List. How do l add it? or does it not matter?
thanks - Sarah (1st time doing the challenge)"

Not sure what list you are referring to, but the book is listed in Goodreads. Sounds interesting!

[Sarah]

if you go the Groups Discussion Board
then 2020 Read Harder
then scroll done to a post call LISTS by Tammy done Jan 13 you go to a List for this years challenge.

and yes - it's a lovely book.

[Tammy]

Sarah wrote: "if you go the Groups Discussion Board
then 2020 Read Harder
then scroll done to a post call LISTS by Tammy done Jan 13 you go to a List for this years challenge.

and yes - it's a lovely book."

Hi Sarah. You don't need to add it, but if you would like to, here are the steps: When on the list you want, select "Add Books to List" at the top, then select the book from "My Books" or "Search". When you find the book, choose "Vote for this Book". Then, when the list is refreshed you should see it there. (I'll post these steps in the lists discussion, too).

[Teresa]

I read A Conspiracy in Belgravia by Sherry Thomas, a cozy mystery retelling of Sherlock Holmes as Charlotte Holmes.

[Sherri]

I read Pride,Prejudice,and Other Flavors by Sonali Dev. I gave it 3 stars. I liked it better than others.

[Nicole]

I'm going to read Femme Tales by Anne Shade. It's a trio of fairy tales featuring Black lesbians, and I cannot wait!!

[Octavia]

I read Frankenstein in Baghdad by Ahmed Saadawi for this, and it was excellent.

[Sheri]

I read Gingerbread, Hansel and Gretel were mentioned a lot although I kinda didn't get why. It didn't really match up with any version of Hansel and Gretel I was familiar with.

Just on my own I read A Blade So Black which is probably a stronger fit, the Alice in Wonderland vibes are much more obvious.

[Sarah]

Would folks consider Lovecraft's stories "classic(s) of the canon"? N.K. Jemison's The City We Became is a reinterpretation of Lovecraftian mythos and wondering if it fits here?

[Sheri]

Sara, I’d think so. The city we became isn’t a retelling per se but you can see where she’s referencing it for sure.

[Sheri]

And yes, I’d consider lovecraft to be a classic, his stuff is the foundation of a lot of modern horror.

[Bonnie G.]

Sarah wrote: "Would folks consider Lovecraft's stories "classic(s) of the canon"? N.K. Jemison's The City We Became is a reinterpretation of Lovecraftian mythos and wondering if it fits here?"

Thanks, I just finished the City We Became yesterday, and had not thought about it fitting here, but on reflection i think it does.

[Rosyposie]

I just finished Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust and it is a good fit for this category. A nice retelling or a mashup with Sleeping Beauty and tales from Persian mythology.

[Tiffany]

I am in the middle of reading Girl, Serpent, Thorn and am also really enjoying it!

[Virginia]

I read My Land Sings (it was a library "Big Read" this summer); the blurb says:
A magical collection of 10 stories based on the folklore and oral traditions of Mexican and Native American cuentistas.