Growing up, fairy tales often felt distant, lacking characters that reflected queer experiences. However, the genre of queer fairy-tale retellings has gained significant traction, allowing authors to infuse familiar myths with new life and LGBTQ+ representation. These reinterpretations transform heteronormative stories into vibrant, contemporary narratives, ranging from young adult romance to spine-chilling horror.
Marie Sexton's novella Cinder offers a gay twist on the Cinderella story. It follows Eldon Cinder, who longs to attend the royal ball with Prince Xavier. When only women are invited, Eldon seeks the aid of a witch, leading to a campy yet sharp reimagining of the classic tale. The story's brevity enhances its pacing, making it an easily digestible read.
For a broader collection of reimaginings, Unburied Fables by Creative Aces Publishing presents multiple queer takes on fairy tales, including familiar ones like Beauty and the Beast and lesser-known international stories. While the quality of individual stories varies, the anthology's diversity ensures something for every reader, featuring themes from polyamory to aromantic protagonists.
Isabel Greenberg's graphic novel The 100 Nights of Hero offers a sapphic and feminist retelling inspired by The Arabian Nights. The story centers on Cherry, a noblewoman whose husband bets her away. Her maid and lover, Hero, uses epic tales to protect her. Greenberg's vivid art and dark humor create a compelling narrative that blends love, betrayal, and social commentary.
Elizabeth Wambhein's More Than Enough provides a unique queer reimagining of Beauty and the Beast. The novella focuses on Petra, a gardener at a manor abandoned by Prince Fier. The story delves into the complexities of Petra's potential relationship with Fier, offering an innovative and deeply sweet take on the original tale.
Austin Chant's Peter Darling revisits Peter Pan from a queer perspective. After spending ten years in the real world as Wendy Darling, Peter's return to Neverland prompts a grappling with identity and growing up. The novella captures the original's wonder while exploring Peter's relationships, including a surprising connection with Captain Hook.
Trung Le Nguyen's graphic novel The Magic Fish uses fairy tales to bridge the gap between a young boy, Tien, and his Vietnamese immigrant parents. By reimagining stories like Cinderella and The Little Mermaid, the book explores themes of queerness, cultural differences, and familial bonds with empathy and intelligence.
Kalynn Bayron's Cinderella Is Dead offers a dystopian, queer twist on the Cinderella narrative. Set 200 years after the original, the story follows 16-year-old Sophie in a society where women are expected to marry the king. This fast-paced fantasy tackles homophobia, misogyny, and racism, transforming the fairy tale into a gripping tale reminiscent of The Hunger Games.
Heather Walter's Malice reinterprets Sleeping Beauty by focusing on Princess Aurora's relationship with the sorceress, Alyce, who cursed her. The novel explores an enemies-to-lovers dynamic while delving into Alyce's redemption. The sequel, Misrule, continues the dark and gripping narrative.
Laura Pohl's The Grimrose Girls presents a dark academia take on classic fairy tales. The story follows young women at Grimrose Académie who investigate the death of their friend Ariane, uncovering secrets about her demise and their own identities. The novel features diverse characters and intricate plot twists, reimagining stories like Beauty and the Beast and Snow White.