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Okay, so I know the classic like Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, et al are all the rage when it comes to modern retellings, but what about retelling the classics MG/YA audiences might not be as well aware of? Would that be a problem when it comes to querying/submitting it, the fact that there's a high chance readers would have no idea what it's based on?
Basically, I'm currently obsessed with the story of Don Quixote, the classic Spanish literary novel and generally considered one of the greatest literary works of all time and one of the foundations for all modern literature. For those not familiar, it's about an elderly-ish man (whose real name isn't revealed until right at the end of the second volume) who slowly loses his mind whilst surrounding himself with books on chivalry and knights, to the extent where he believes he is a knight-errant called Don Quixote and that he must venture forth, setting right wrongs wherever he sees them ... which usually means wrongs that don't entirely exist. The most notable delusion being that he mistakes windmills for giants and charges out to fight them. There's also a scene where he accosts a travelling barber-doctor, claiming the man's wash basin is actually a revered holy helmet that Quixote claims on his quest.
He's accompanied by a simple-minded neighbour called Sancho, who's irreverent wit and view of the real world is a stark humorous contrast to the deluded "knight's" views of philosophy and chivalry. Sancho knows his friend is not well, but doesn't have the heart to stop him as the man has such a strong sense of purpose. After further misadventures, Quixote's feverish disease claims his life, but not before a small moment of clarity, during which the woman he has been pursuing as a damsel in distress takes pity on him, playing back to his delusions so that he may die happy.
If I were to do a modern retelling, do you think it would have potential amongst today's young readership? I don't have a firm, complete plan set yet in case it's a bad idea, but it would generally revolve around a weak, nerdy MC who gets severely bullied for his bookwormish ways. He escapes the pain of his daily beatings by surrounding himself with books on medieval history and epic fantasy stories so that one day - surprise, surprise - his hold on sanity loosens and he switches reality for fantasy.
Suddenly the bullies are a dark army's merciless soldiers, the head teacher who turns a blind eye to it all now their corrupt lord and master... he'd stumble across a battered school-crossing sign and take it as his shield (with the children walking insignia becoming his symbol of becoming a leader/protector for the weak).... but that's basically all I have for now.
There are obviously aspects of the original I have no idea how to transfer at this point... how to twist the windmill-giants scene, for example, or how to have the character of Sancho be both simple without being mistaken for "comically retarded" (or whatever sensitive readers would accuse it of), or why - in this day and age - he wouldn't just immediately seek adult and psychological aid for his friend rather than pander to the MC's delusions. (Unless it's because, although he knows something's not right, he still believes and supports his friend's 'quest'...?).
But yeah, this post has already gone on far longer than I intended, but I felt a fair explanation was needed. Any advice, comments, etc would be greatly appreciated - what do you think, is it a good idea? Is it do-able? Would it work?
Also, any ideas for name changes would be helpful... right now all I can think of is the MC taking the name Dom Quixote. Yeah... not the most original spin
Thanks,
Dave
Basically, I'm currently obsessed with the story of Don Quixote, the classic Spanish literary novel and generally considered one of the greatest literary works of all time and one of the foundations for all modern literature. For those not familiar, it's about an elderly-ish man (whose real name isn't revealed until right at the end of the second volume) who slowly loses his mind whilst surrounding himself with books on chivalry and knights, to the extent where he believes he is a knight-errant called Don Quixote and that he must venture forth, setting right wrongs wherever he sees them ... which usually means wrongs that don't entirely exist. The most notable delusion being that he mistakes windmills for giants and charges out to fight them. There's also a scene where he accosts a travelling barber-doctor, claiming the man's wash basin is actually a revered holy helmet that Quixote claims on his quest.
He's accompanied by a simple-minded neighbour called Sancho, who's irreverent wit and view of the real world is a stark humorous contrast to the deluded "knight's" views of philosophy and chivalry. Sancho knows his friend is not well, but doesn't have the heart to stop him as the man has such a strong sense of purpose. After further misadventures, Quixote's feverish disease claims his life, but not before a small moment of clarity, during which the woman he has been pursuing as a damsel in distress takes pity on him, playing back to his delusions so that he may die happy.
If I were to do a modern retelling, do you think it would have potential amongst today's young readership? I don't have a firm, complete plan set yet in case it's a bad idea, but it would generally revolve around a weak, nerdy MC who gets severely bullied for his bookwormish ways. He escapes the pain of his daily beatings by surrounding himself with books on medieval history and epic fantasy stories so that one day - surprise, surprise - his hold on sanity loosens and he switches reality for fantasy.
Suddenly the bullies are a dark army's merciless soldiers, the head teacher who turns a blind eye to it all now their corrupt lord and master... he'd stumble across a battered school-crossing sign and take it as his shield (with the children walking insignia becoming his symbol of becoming a leader/protector for the weak).... but that's basically all I have for now.
There are obviously aspects of the original I have no idea how to transfer at this point... how to twist the windmill-giants scene, for example, or how to have the character of Sancho be both simple without being mistaken for "comically retarded" (or whatever sensitive readers would accuse it of), or why - in this day and age - he wouldn't just immediately seek adult and psychological aid for his friend rather than pander to the MC's delusions. (Unless it's because, although he knows something's not right, he still believes and supports his friend's 'quest'...?).
But yeah, this post has already gone on far longer than I intended, but I felt a fair explanation was needed. Any advice, comments, etc would be greatly appreciated - what do you think, is it a good idea? Is it do-able? Would it work?
Also, any ideas for name changes would be helpful... right now all I can think of is the MC taking the name Dom Quixote. Yeah... not the most original spin
Thanks,
Dave