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I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: I love classic literature, but that doesn’t mean it’s without problems. For the stars, some of the most famous English-language novels are exclusively about men, which makes classic gender-swapped book tales so refreshing for readers who are dying to see themselves portrayed between the covers.
If you’ve ever browsed the Classics section of your local library or bookstore, you know there’s no shortage of stories about straight white men in the literary world. From Moby-Dick and Ulysses at Oliver Twist and Gatsby the magnificent, the majority of the novels that are counted as the most important, and the most famous, deal exclusively with men. That’s not to say there aren’t great novels written about and by women – Jane Eyre, Pride and Prejudiceand The glass bell immediately come to mind for this reader – but there are many more written by men.
Of course, there are plenty of original novels out there for readers who want to enjoy stories about women and their experiences, but for classic fans who are dying to see women starring in their favorite stories, there there is a category of books just for you: gender-swapped stories.
Have you always wanted to see Jay Gatsby portrayed as a glamorous girl, or read about Beauty taking on the role of the traditionally male beast? Then you’ll love these nine tales from some of your favorite classic books.
“Olivia Twist” by Lorie Langdon
In this refreshing take on Charles Dickens’ iconic novel, Olivia Brownlow survived life on the streets of London by disguising herself as a boy. After a bullshit that goes wrong, she is taken in by her uncle and projected into the life of high society. But no matter how many lavish dinners or fancy parties she attends, Olivia’s past is never far from her mind, nor are the other teenagers still living in the slums she once called home. A charming and inspiring story about the haves and the have-nots, Olivia Torsion will forever change the way you view this literary classic.
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“Great” by Sara Benincasa
A contemporary retelling of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic, Great tells the story of Naomi Rye, who is forced to spend the summer with her socialite mother in the Hamptons. Prepared to despise every mega-rich socialite she meets, Naomi is surprised when she finds herself drawn to her neighbor Jacinta, an “It girl” known for her wild parties. But Jacinta is hiding something, and when the truth comes out, it has tragic consequences for everyone involved.
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“Of the Beast and Beauty” by Stacey Jay
In Of the Beast and the Beauty, author Stacy Jay spins a whole new kind of fairy tale that beautifully blends fantasy, sci-fi and romance. Rather than casting the Beast in the traditional role of prince and abductor of Beauty, this story shifts its stance and puts the beautiful girl in charge of the monster’s imprisonment. It’s the intriguing story of a blind princess destined to be a human sacrifice, a mutated beast determined to save her people from starvation, and an unexpected love between the two that will change them forever.
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“Across a Starswept Sea” by Diana Peterfreund
In this futuristic retelling of the classic scarlet pimpernel, the heroic nobleman Baroness Orczy is reimagined as a mysterious and fierce teenage spy. If she is to protect her people from certain destruction at the hands of revolutionaries and their dangerous mind-altering drug, Persis Blake – otherwise known as Wild Poppy – must embark on her most treacherous mission yet, one in which she will risk not only her life, but also her heart.
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“A Study in Honor” by Claire O’Dell
In the first of two gender-swapped Holmes tales on this list, author Claire O’Dell recasts the famed sleuth and his trusted partner as two queer black women living in near-future Washington, D.C. Together, and with Using espionage, advanced technology and old-fashioned deduction, the secret agent and the talented doctor work together to find out who is behind the murders targeting Civil War veterans. Sharp, exciting and resolutely feminist, A study in honor is a Sherlock story like you’ve never seen it before.
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“Queen of the Forest” by Betsy Cornwell
A refreshing, female-centric take on the classic “Robin Hood” tale, queen of the forest tells the story of 16-year-old Sylvie, who, feeling helpless after her brother’s takeover of the sprawling family estate, retreats into the woods with her best friend to create her own community. Alongside a whole group of villagers who support their cause, Sylvie risks everything to fight against greedy nobles and an unjust king and obtain justice for the local commoners who have been mistreated for a very long time. It’s an exciting and challenging fairy tale tale featuring a fierce heroine that you’ll love to cheer on.
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“A Study in Charlotte” by Brittany Cavallaro
First book in a new series on the descendants of Sherlock Holmes and John Watson, the famous detective gets a feminine makeover. Like her great-great-great-grandfather, Charlotte Holmes is as bright as she is volatile, but when a student dies at their boarding school, Jamie Watson has no choice but to team up if he wants to get to the bottom of it. of a case. a crime that seems straight out of the pages of a detective novel. Clever, crafty and wickedly fun, A study in Charlotte is a fabulously feminist take on a classic detective story.
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“Pride and Prejudice and Mistletoe” by Melissa de la Cruz
While Jane Austen’s novels do indeed feature some of literature’s most memorable heroines, it can sometimes seem like her leading ladies lack a certain level of agency. Not in Melissa de la Cruz’s celebratory tale of Pride and Prejudice, who swaps the roles of Darcy and Elizabeth. Both romantic and hilarious, this contemporary romance is perfect for Austen fans who’ve always wanted to see her female characters have a bit more power over their own love lives.
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‘Cadaver & Queen’ by Alisa Kwitney
Although there are technically no gender-swapped characters, Alisa Kwintey Corpse & Queen puts a woman front and center in this imaginative version of Mary Shelley Frankenstein. The first medical student enrolled at Ingold. Elizabeth expected she would have to go above and beyond to prove herself in a school full of men. What she didn’t expect was to find herself caught up in the dark secrets of Victor Frankenstein, a former medical student who died under mysterious circumstances, and whose corpse still appears to be very much alive. Part historical thriller and part romance, fans of the original horror story will love this sexy tale and its new star.
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