While there are infinite ways to retell a beloved story, some of the most captivating retellings unfold from the point of view of a side character rather the original narrator or protagonist. What were the Bennets' household servants thinking while Elizabeth was falling in love? What was happening in the life of Mr. March, the mostly absent father in Louisa May Alcott's Little Women? And what about all the monsters and villains of literature who've rarely had the chance to tell their side of the story? Why did Circe keep Odysseus on her island for so long? Is Grendel, the monster in the epic poem Beowulf, really purely evil?
In these 15 listens, gifted authors reimagine myths, fairytales, and much-loved classics alike, putting a new spin on stories from Shakespeare to Brontë, The Aeneid to 1984. In these versions, characters that were left silent, overlooked, or reviled in the originals get a chance to shine. Once invisible younger sisters have rich internal lives; domestic workers are afforded their own agency; villains become complicated figures with unusual backstories. Whether you're an ardent fan of the source material or you only have a passing familiarity with the story, you'll nevertheless find a lot to love in these creative and compelling listens—and you'll never look at a side character the same way again.
No one writes about America's troubled past and present quite like Percival Everett, the author of the incisive Erasure, which served as the basis for the Academy Award nominated film American Fiction. In his latest novel, he takes on one of the cornerstones of American literature, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Jim, the enslaved man who travels with Huck down the Mississippi River, is more of a symbol than a character in Twain's original story. But in Everett's reimagining, Jim gets the attention he deserves. He's smart, compassionate, bitingly funny, and he possesses a rich and layered inner life. Narrator Dominic Hoffman, with his deep voice and emotional range, is more than up to the task of bringing James to life.
Have you ever considered who washed the Bennet sisters' sheets, cooked their meals, and kept their living quarters tidy throughout the events of Pride and Prejudice? Servants are largely absent in Jane Austen's most beloved novel, but based on the context of class in the era, they were undoubtedly present, keeping the household running smoothly. Jo Baker gives them center stage in this lively, funny, and heartfelt retelling, and Emma Fielding's sparkling narration elevates it another notch. Longbourn centers on Sarah, an orphaned housemaid who dreams of romance—not unlike Elizabeth Bennet herself. Alongside her fellow downstairs residents, she navigates love and heartbreak, intrigue, betrayal, and the endless (and sometimes dangerous) demands of her job.
Women in classic literature are too often written off as mad, deranged, unhinged, or hysterical. Macbeth’'s notorious Lady is certainly one of the most famous characters to embody this trope—but Ava Reid, the bestselling author of A Study in Drowning, is having none of it. In this haunting and beautiful work of gothic fiction, Reid gives Lady Macbeth the voice Shakespeare denied her. Far from a raving villain, the heroine of Lady Macbeth is a powerful woman with a dark past and an untold story, who's determined to live a life beyond the small one men have laid out for her, no matter what it takes.
Wicked became an instant classic when it was first published in 1995, and its popularity soared to new heights thanks to a critically acclaimed and audience beloved Broadway musical. Listeners now know and love Elphaba, the fiery, plucky, indefatigable protagonist—otherwise known as the Wicked Witch of the West in L. Frank Baum’s original tale—just as earlier generations knew and loved Dorothy. Gregory Maguire uses Elphaba's story to explore the nature of good and evil, and interrogate how our perceptions and assumptions about people sometimes keep us from seeing them clearly. If you haven't yet experienced this retelling in audio, you're missing out—John McDonough infuses his voice with drama, tension, and intrigue at every turn.
Pride and Prejudice has inspired countless retellings, and Sarah Page's Mrs. Wickham is one of the most delightful ones by far. It tells the story of Lydia, the youngest Bennet sister, who, after making one mistake, is cast out of her family and sent far away to marry a man who seems indifferent to her. Lydia takes full control of her story—and her destiny—in this fiercely feminist Audible Original. She refuses to let anyone shame her for the choices she makes and emerges a heroine for the ages. Actors Jessie Buckley and Johnny Flynn lead a full cast in this audio drama—the range of character voices and fully immersive sound effects will make you feel like you're attending a live performance.
Sandra Newman's clever retelling of 1984 illuminates new aspects of Orwell's classic dystopia—and of our own world. Told from the point of view of Winston Smith's lover, Julia, it covers the same events of the original novel but approaches them with surprising creativity. You might think you know what happens, and what it all means, but Julia will shatter all those preconceptions. Narrator Louise Brealey does a wonderful job capturing Julia's many contradictory emotions, as she grows from a staid and cynical citizen into a defiant troublemaker. Listeners looking for a fresh take on a familiar dystopian classic will appreciate this provocative and deeply relevant novel.
Mr. March, the father of sisters Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy, is largely absent from Little Women. While his four girls are growing up and getting into trouble back in Concord, Mr. March is away at war, fighting for the Union Army. In this beautiful work of historical fiction, Geraldine Brooks follows Mr. March as he leaves his home and family to fight in a war that will change his life forever. Richard Easton gives a powerful performance as a man whose experiences on the battlefield force him to confront his long-held beliefs. Brooks has a keen eye for historical detail, and, like all of her work, March is full of sharply observed moments of human nature.
In Ophelia, another of Shakespeare's one-dimensional women characters—this time, from Hamlet—finally gets her moment in the sun. Cassandra Campbell gives a lush, emotional performance as Ophelia, a spirited lady-in-waiting at Elsinore Castle who wins the heart of Prince Hamlet. Though their love briefly flourishes in secret, soon political turmoil threatens all of Denmark, and Ophelia is faced with a choice. Will she follow Hamlet into madness or save herself? Twisty and atmospheric, Lisa Klein's retelling will appeal to fans of historical drama and dark romance alike.
No one does Greek mythology like Madeline Miller. She has an incredible talent for finding the hidden stories buried in famous myths, crafting complex characters and sparking nuanced conversations on history and agency. Circe is a retelling masterpiece, tackling Homer’s The Odyssey. In it, the infamous Witch of Aeaea, who traps Odysseus on her island for two years and turns his men into pigs, gets to tell her story—and it's not what you might expect. This gorgeous listen is full of magic and adventure, but at heart, it's a story about a woman becoming herself in a world that doesn't want her to take up space. Perdita Weeks's narration is graceful and beguiling—she fully embodies Circe in all her rage, despair, power, and tenderness.
L.A. Theatre Works’s production of Tom Stoppard's Tony Award-winning play Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead is as brilliant as it is funny. Two curious courtiers, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern attempt to discover why the young Prince of Denmark is so unhappy. Their musings lead them on a twisty, surprising journey in which they consider everything from morality to the nature of time. If you've never seen or read Stoppard's absurdist, surreal interpretation of the events of Hamlet, this audio edition, performed by an extraordinary cast of actors, is a fantastic way to experience it for the first time.
At 50 hours, Marion Zimmer Bradley's epic fantasy is perfect for long-haul listeners. And luckily, Davina Porter is more than up to the task of narrating this exceptional classic, one of the earliest retellings of Arthurian legend devoted to its overlooked women. The Mists of Avalon centers on a powerful trio—Arthur's warrior wife, Gwenhwyfar; the high priestess Viviane; and the Celtic priestess and witch Morgaine. All three women come alive in Porter's performance, making it easy for listeners to follow the many twisting, intertwined plotlines.
Mr. Rochester, the romantic but mysterious hero of Jane Eyre, has captivated—and divided—audiences for generations. Is he cruel or misunderstood? Does he deserve Jane's love, or has he tricked her into thinking he's a good man? And what is up with the woman trapped in his attic? Sarah Shoemaker brilliantly untangles some of those questions in this coming-of-age novel. She traces Rochester's life from his lonely childhood in Thornfield, through his turbulent adolescence all over England, and to the years he spends in Jamaica as a young man, where he gets caught up in complications that will change his life forever. Simon Shepherd gives a rousing performance as the beguiling protagonist.
Sherlock Holmes's older brother finally gets his time in the spotlight in this fast-paced mystery. Mycroft Holmes is busy working for the British government and making a life for himself when he receives troubling news from Trinidad, where both his best friend and his fiancée grew up. When his fiancée leaves for home in a hurry, Mycroft, worried for her safety, has no choice but to follow. What he finds on the island is a web of danger and secrets that even his brilliant little brother would have trouble untangling. Narrator Damian Lynch gets the tone of Holmesian and basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's exciting retelling just right—there's drama, pathos, and plenty of spine-tingling intrigue.
Though Lavinia plays a vital role in The Aeneid—she is destined to be the cause of a major war and marry a man who will found an empire—she doesn't even get a speaking role. Ursula K. Le Guin gives her the voice she never had in this epic tale of love, destiny, fate, and power. Lavinia grows up in ancient Italy knowing only peace and freedom. But when a fleet of Trojan ships arrives, bringing with them a destiny she didn't choose, she makes a decision to face her fate head-on rather than letting the powers that be dictate what will happen to her. Alyssa Bresnahan captures both the epic sweep and intimate details of this character-driven fantasy.
There's something particularly appealing about a story retold from the perspective of a perceived monster, and John Gardner's Grendel is simply one of the best. Grendel is the beast that Beowulf sets out to kill in the epic Old English poem. In the original, Grendel is ruthless and bloodthirsty, devouring Danish warriors and terrorizing anyone who strays into his path. Gardner's Grendel is certainly violent—but he's also curious, perceptive, and playful. He has a sharp sense of humor and delights in pranks. And while he may well be a monster, he's a monster for a reason. Accomplished narrator George Guidall does Gardener's exquisite characterization justice, creating a unique voice that will linger in the listener's mind long after the audiobook is over.
