Fairy Tale Retellings! discussion

Here we can all discuss about villain retellings!

EXAMPLES:
-Evil Queen
-Ursula
-Maleficent

My favorite evil Queen / Villan is The Evil Queen herself. I love how she can look like whoever she wants, whenever she wants. If I had to pick a villan to become, I'd choose her. She's a legend!

Agreed, but I love Maleficent! Her whole life story is tragic and true and I love how the people put together the movie Maleficent! And let’s not forget ELLE FANNING OMGGG, and she was in All The Bright Places! #idol

I’ve actually never read any villain Retellings, anyone got any good recommendations?

I really like Ursula as a villain, so can anyone rec a book with her in it?

I read a book on the backstory of how the queen of hearts became the queen of hearts that's really good. it's heartless my marissa Meyer.

(sorry I don't have any Ursula recs)

Maleficent?

The Curse of Maleficent: The Tale of a Sleeping Beauty maybe?

Becca da wrote: "I’ve actually never read any villain Retellings, anyone got any good recommendations?"
Heartless by Marissa Meyer is a good one. It's a YA retelling of the Queen of Hearts. I was in tears gosh.

So a villain retelling where the protagonist is the villain?

Fridey wrote: "So a villain retelling where the protagonist is the villain?"
Yup. We would learn the villian's backstory about how they got there, why they are the way they are and see things from their perspective. That sort of thing.

Ahh, I have only read Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte where Villain is the protagonist but it's not a fairytale or anywhere near. :)

Villain theme books are interesting reads and leaves much for reflection.

Hmm, I guess it depends on how the story ends but I'm thinking, to reconcile with the idea that ill fate or bad ending will befall a Villain, doesn't one have find him/her extremely cruel, to the highest degrees. Beyond redemption, sort of thing.

I mean once you know how someone became EVIL, you might find yourself sympathising with him or her.

But that might only be in books. I mean how are the true past lives of Villains in real life. Plenty of those in history.

Fridey wrote: "Ahh, I have only read Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte where Villain is the protagonist but it's not a fairytale or anywhere near. :)

Villain theme books are interesting reads and leaves much fo..."
It leads to a battle of morals and just you consider is right (and forces people to think lol). Ideally, the author's goal is to show that even though they have a reason for acting the way they do, it doesn't make what they do right since they're hurting people and spreading the pain instead of healing. Ya know? That's what I think at least. :)

Historians just constantly having a midlife crisis and questioning everything they believed the world to be when they uncover some international villain's tragic past. XD

lol @ midlife crises. :)

No you're absolutely right that Two wrongs don't make it right.

I mean if you look at real life Villains, even today, do we sympathise with them? Not really.

It's only on smaller scale that we might be able to sympathise, meaning if you have a "Villain" in your own family or a "friend" that has betrayed you or the like.

Not an easy task to do though.

And it's more for the sake of forgiving and letting go. Not to Justify bad behaviour.

Looking at the past, upbringing and environment of the latter mentioned and finding understanding for that person is VERY difficult thing to do lol.

Fridey wrote: "lol @ midlife crises. :)

No you're absolutely right that Two wrongs don't make it right.

I mean if you look at real life Villains, even today, do we sympathise with them? Not really.

It's only o..."
Yeah, it's easier to understand if you know someone on a personal level. That way, you know the person since you hang out with them and know at least some of their backstory. Forgiving and letting go is especially hard to do. I don't know if I despise people that can just wave it off or envy them haha.

Yeah :)

I'm sorry I didn't fully understand though what you meant in your very, very last sentence. :)

Fridey wrote: "Yeah :)

I'm sorry I didn't fully understand though what you meant in your very, very last sentence. :)"
Well, the way I see it, if someone does something wrong like they kick over your trash cans out of spite every week you pull it out to get collected and you just shrug it off, then the issue is never solved. The root issue, the person (the person kicking the trashcan) will never be told that what they're doing is bad and shouldn't be done, leaving them free to go terrorize someone else without any guilt.

So it's good to let things go, but not if the root issue isn't addressed and is left to fester and grow instead. It will keep growing until it gets so big that it's extremely hard to solve. But that's just how I see it. :)

Ah, now I know what you mean. :)

Yeah communication should always work to resolve "differences". But that depends how one is raised, I think.

Some villains want to keep on doing what they are doing and not see the fault in their behaviour. They just cannot see it. I've met quite a few, who are like this. You can talk to them till your face turns blue, won't change a thing. lol.

This is the moment to walk away.

Arrogance, jealousy, revenge can overtake a person's...common sense.

Sadly, humans are complicated creatures. :/

Fridey wrote: "Ah, now I know what you mean. :)

Yeah communication should always work to resolve "differences". But that depends how one is raised, I think.

Some villains want to keep on doing what they are doi..."
Couldn't have said it better myself. :)

They need to self actualize. You can't help someone who doesn't want to be helped or doesn't realize they need help.

You: "can't help someone who doesn't want to be helped...."

So ridiculously true.

This describes so many people, in an easy straightforward way.

Fridey wrote: "You: "can't help someone who doesn't want to be helped...."

So ridiculously true.

This describes so many people, in an easy straightforward way."
Yep, sad but true.

Fridey wrote: "Ah, now I know what you mean. :)

Yeah communication should always work to resolve "differences". But that depends how one is raised, I think.

Some villains want to keep on doing what they are doi..."

Reminds me of the Joker in The Dark Knight movie I recently watched for the second time. The Joker basically did things just cause they were bad. In the words of Alfred, "Some men just want to see the world burn."
That begs the question then, do you think is it possible for one to do something just because it's evil?

I didn't see this movie. :/

Ella said: That begs the question then, do you think is it possible for one to do something just because it's evil?

Very good question, definitely something to reflect upon.

"Some men just want to see the world burn."

Sounds like someone who has been consumed with revenge and see no redemption for himself.

Well, we're born innocent (little babies) so when someone does something evil, something has led him on to that path.

Lol, I really need to think about this one.

Ella wrote: "Fridey wrote: "Ah, now I know what you mean. :)

Yeah communication should always work to resolve "differences". But that depends how one is raised, I think.

Some villains want to keep on doing wh..."
I love how philosophical we're getting haha.

I think it is possible actually. I've met people who couldn't care less if the world burned around them as long as it didn't touch their house so it's not hard for me to believe that there are people out there who just take sadistic pleasure in watching others suffer and knowing they're the ones who made it happen.

Philosophical yes lol. Well, books are more than mere entertainment :)

It's a scary thought, how evil humans can get.

It's important, in our hearts, not to let the bad overtake the good. I mean

Good generates good.

And evil generates evil.

You conquer evil with goodness.

The heart has neurons too. It's not just a muscle that pumps blood. We can think with our hearts, learn with our hearts and remember with our hearts.

I believe that we are careful with what we "fill" our hearts with (goodness, positivity, greatfulness, accept what we have been given because someone will always have less) we can truly be good humans and live consented lives.

*contented

:/ typo lol

@Fridey I love hearing your thoughts! It is terrifying how evil people can become.

That leads to the question, though... What's the definition of contentment? What's the definition of goodness? Why is it important that we are "good"? Talking about villains, why is it wrong for them to be "bad"?

Okay, I guess that's more than one question XD

Fridey wrote: "Philosophical yes lol. Well, books are more than mere entertainment :)

It's a scary thought, how evil humans can get.

It's important, in our hearts, not to let the bad overtake the good. I mean ..."
Ohh that's so true and deep. :D

And optimistic! I love it!! It's scientifically proven that it's harder to think happy thoughts and be in a good mood when you were previously in a bad mood. So if you're bad mood and don't make an effort to get out of it, it's like a black hole.

There's even a psychological term for it (but me with my fried brain that had to memorize 600 terms for my AP test can't remember what it is at midnight). OHH I texted my friend who's brain's somehow still working (I doN'T knOw hOw sHe dOes iT!) And it's called rumination for anyone that's interest. :)

Hi Carina

It's early morning here and I haven't eaten yet, lol. So please bear with me. :)

These are just a few thoughts of mine. (I'm not saying it's exactly how it is/works.)

Contentmen is individual, besides from our basic needs, food, roof over our heads, clothing.

I think that it all boils down to our wants, needs and desires. We want different things. We can get consumed by different things.

I'll use just two topics so that I don't write forever (on my mobile ugh) and bore people.

Wealth and beauty.

1) Wealth

Wealth is one of those things that can go either way — good or bad.

One can achieve wealth in a an honest way. Get a degree, work hard, save money and when getting to the top, sharing, giving charity, feeding the poor. This in itself will offer contentment, because working hard keeps you humble and helping others makes you feel good, happy. You're making a change for the better in the world. Equals Goodness. :)

On the other hand.

One can strive for wealth in such an extreme way, without balance and moderation that they would do just about anything to get it. They would achieve their wealth in a dishonest way, even ruthlessly hurting people in the process. A person with wealth can also become arrogant and demean those that have less.
He or she will never achieve contentment this way.
Being greatful is the cure.


2) Beauy

With all the social media, movies, TV shows we're constantly burdened with what we should look like. And it changes every few years. Even what eyebrows should look like changes from time to time!

Plastic surgery, a lot of make up, diets, excessively working out.

I read in a book that working out is actually meant for the health of your brain and that getting muscles is a side effect lol, funny.

This kind of thinking can offer contentment because your are not getting obsessed by the looks of your body.

I think women struggle here more than men. (All eyes are on women and were not kind to each other in this category).

If we would cut out and distance ourselves from the exposure of the "beauty industry" and accept what we are, what we look like, that we are all different and focus on what makes us feel happy on the inside, can offer contentment.

Maybe focus more on our character and smile to our grumpy neighbours, lol.

Giving money isn't the only good thing one can do. We all have different strengths. Some are physically strong and help carry something heavy. Another person can pay someone a visit, you're keeping someone company. And so on and so forth.

Carina wrote: "@Fridey I love hearing your thoughts! It is terrifying how evil people can become.

That leads to the question, though... What's the definition of contentment? What's the definition of goodness? W..."
Hahaha but all of them are great questions! Very insightful and needs answering. :)

Fridey wrote: "Hi Carina

It's early morning here and I haven't eaten yet, lol. So please bear with me. :)

These are just a few thoughts of mine. (I'm not saying it's exactly how it is/works.)

Contentmen is ind..."
Daanng and I just said they need answering! Round of applause for Fridey!! It's past midnight for me so I'm going to go to bed before trying to answer anything. If I do, my last three brain cells are going to die too. But...I wiLl bE bAcK XD

To Noonecansinkmyship

Haha that's interesting. ..that's harder to think happy thoughts after bad mood.

Hmmm, well yeah sometimes we need someone to lean on and a few uplifting words. A little help.

Haha and I need to eat, lol. Famished.

I can't answer yet about the bad....too hungry.

sorry guys

and Good night to Noonecansinkmyship

Carina your question

Why is it important that we are good?

Some of my thoughts. We are different people and our opinions will obviously differ. :)

Everyone please feel free to give your own. :) Interesting to to know other ideas. :)

This might sound depressing but I'm putting this way to make a point and to show why it's important to be good. But keep in mind that it doesn't have to have an unhappy ending.

Imagine you are looking at the world standing where you are. View it in a wider perspective. Broaden your periphery of it.

What do you see/think of it?

One might think of:

Extreme pollution
Oppression — injustice — abuse — torture — racism
Poverty
War
Starvation

On a smaller scale

Broken and hurt families
Children being neglected
Elderly forgotten, alone
Lack of or expensive medical care

The world's issues is somewhat a reflection of our behaviour and choices.

We have to change in order for the world to change.

Would pollution exist if humans never existed?

I'm not saying this can be solved with one word or idea. But I believe it's important to reflect upon ourselves and start there.

Also to teach and guide "our children" (even if they aren't our own) by being a good example. They need us to show them the way.
Otherwise, generation after generation will continue the same. The cycle will never break.

Yup, even one person can make a difference.

Ella,

I really like that positive thought. :)

Fridey wrote: "To Noonecansinkmyship

Haha that's interesting. ..that's harder to think happy thoughts after bad mood.

Hmmm, well yeah sometimes we need someone to lean on and a few uplifting words. A little h..."
Yep! It's never wrong to seek help when you need it.

Haha. Thanks for the well wishes Fridey! I slept great. :)

Fridey wrote: "Carina your question

Why is it important that we are good?

Some of my thoughts. We are different people and our opinions will obviously differ. :)

Everyone please feel free to give your own. ..."
It's extremely important to break the cycle. You're definitely right. One person can start a new trend. What's right isn't always popular and what's popular isn't always right.

Noonecansinkmyship said:

"What's right isn't always popular and what's popular isn't always right."

So... (not cussing lol) true!

Nicely said.

Fridey wrote: "Noonecansinkmyship said:

"What's right isn't always popular and what's popular isn't always right."

So... (not cussing lol) true!

Nicely said."
Hahaha thanks for the sensor XD

Thanks. Right back at ya! Our philosophical wonderings are amazing haha.

Haha yeah :) :)

Who that the Villain category was going to be so interesting. :)

Fridey wrote: "Haha yeah :) :)

Who that the Villain category was going to be so interesting. :)"
Right? Haha it was great that we started talking about the deeper things behind the evil. Love it :D

A great fairytale retelling for evil queens would be Fairest by Marissa Meyer. It's a novella though and should be read AFTER you finish all four of the main books. I didn't do that and read this book before Winter (the last book of the series) and Fairest spoiled Winter. The irony though. The series spoiling itself haha.

This book is from the antagonist of the main series' point of view and more about her backstory. It's heartbreaking in its own way and being inside of her head gave me chills. Just how does someone think that way...I guess it was from the way she was raised, but still (shudders). Lol.

*who knew!!!

Typo

argh :/

I haven't read them but sounds like I should. They seem very popular.

I'm not one to like popular book series usually, but the Lunar Chronicles were an exception. I really, really enjoyed them, especially the last two!!

Ella wrote: "I'm not one to like popular book series usually, but the Lunar Chronicles were an exception. I really, really enjoyed them, especially the last two!!"

Thanks, good to know :)

Ella wrote: "I'm not one to like popular book series usually, but the Lunar Chronicles were an exception. I really, really enjoyed them, especially the last two!!"
Yes! I highly recommend it! :)

I'd love to throw some out there! (Heads up-I'm a "lister.")

- Sapphic Sleeping Beauty from the wicked sorceress's perspective. It really gets into her thoughts and motivations and creates a world where everything isn't so black and white. Loved it!
- Peter Pan as the villain? A very thoughtful, interesting read.
- Cinderella from the "ugly" stepsister's take. I haven't read this one-any good?
- Little Mermaid from a historical villainous perspective. I'd love to know if anyone's read this one!

I am fond of these types of stories since they let us reflect on all kinds of aspects of humanity and the choices we all must make.

Nerdy Werewolf wrote: "I'd love to throw some out there! (Heads up-I'm a "lister.")
Heather Walter
- Sapphic Sleeping Beauty from the wicked sorceress's perspective. It really gets into her thoughts and mot..."

Ohh all those sound so interesting! I haven't read any of them actually, but I'll definitely look into them now. Thanks for the recs! :)

I just wanted to include the book titles and authors so they'd show up on "Books/Authors mentioned in this topic." Hope you don't mind.
Malice by Heather Walter
The Child Thief by Brom
Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister by Gregory Maguire
Sea Witch by Sarah Henning