{
  "id": 17210601,
  "title": "10 Queer Fairy Tale Retellings Better Than the Originals",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/30/10-queer-fairy-tale-retellings-better-than-the-originals",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-30T10:00:18.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Polygon",
    "slug": "polygon",
    "url": "https://www.polygon.com/10-queer-retellings-of-classic-fairy-tales/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "For queer women, fairy tales have long been a source of exclusion and disappointment. Growing up, the saccharine sweetness and overwhelming over-the-top nature of these stories failed to represent the diverse experiences of people like the author. This sentiment persisted until the discovery of queer fairy-tale retellings, which have gained popularity in recent years. These retellings breathe new life into old, heteronormative stories by infusing them with fresh perspectives, turning the familiar into something unique and exciting.\n\nTo celebrate Adult Fairy Tales Week, a round-up of the top queer fairy-tale retellings has been compiled. From young adult romance to spine-chilling horror, these works are sure to captivate and inspire readers. Sexton's short novella offers a delightful and deliriously camp twist on the classic tale, while Eldon Cinder adds a catch to the original story, ensuring it remains both entertaining and meaningful.\n\nUnburied Fables is an anthology that features various authors, from students to seasoned professionals, working on retellings of classic fairy tales like Beauty and the Beast, as well as lesser-known, non-Western tales. Each story varies in quality, providing readers with a diverse reading experience.\n\nThe 100 Nights of Hero is a graphic novel that follows Cherry, a noblewoman whose husband puts her up for grabs in a bet. Her maid and lover, Hero, uses epic tales of love and betrayal to keep her husband at bay, delivering a feminist reimagining of The Arabian Nights that is both brilliant and amusing.\n\nElizabeth Wambhein's queer retelling of Beauty and the Beast takes a unique approach, focusing on Petra, a gardener at Prince Fier's court. As Fier remains a \"beast\" rather than a man, the story delves into the complexities of the relationship between Petra and Fier, offering a fresh take on the original tale.\n\nAustin Chant's queer retelling of Peter Pan, titled Peter Darling, offers a different perspective on the magical, far-off place where one never has to grow up. Peter's return to the real world raises questions about his identity, making for a compelling and romantic read.\n\nTrung Le Nguyen's graphic novel debut, Cinderella Is Dead, reimagines Cinderella's story for a dystopian world where women are marginalized. As 16-year-old Sophie navigates this new reality, the book tackles homophobia, misogyny, and racism, delivering a powerful message that sets the original tale apart from its romantic counterpart.\n\nLastly, Malice takes a fresh approach to Sleeping Beauty, having Princess Aurora fall for the sorceress responsible for her curse. This enemies-to-lovers story focuses on redeeming the sorceress, Alyce, offering a darkly humorous take on the classic fairy tale.",
  "summary": "What makes a great queer fairy-tale retelling? Explore our top 10 picks for the best creative spins on classic tales.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}