11 Modern Reinterpretations of Iconic Literary Monsters

Horror is a genre deeply rooted in reinventing the past. The creation of Nosferatu (1922) stemmed from the inability to secure rights for Dracula from Florence Stoker. Yet, how could filmmakers resist introducing a vampire to the burgeoning world of cinema?

While monsters are frequently reimagined in films, Hollywood's constraints often lead to predictable retellings. Mention a Frankenstein movie, and audiences expect the iconic “it’s alive” moment. However, literature offers a playground for truly innovative transformations. Here are 11 modern literary works that breathe fresh life into classic monsters.

1. Red // Chase Berggrun

Erasure poetry involves reshaping a text by eliminating words, paragraphs, or characters to uncover fresh interpretations. In Chase Berggrun’s Red, the epistolary novel Dracula is transformed into a 27-chapter poetic exploration of gender and transition. Through a transgender lens, the notion of monstrosity is poignantly unraveled. Unlike its source material, this work achieves its haunting impact without relying on literal vampires or Victorian-era power dynamics.

2. Hooked // A.C. Wise

What if Captain James Hook, far from the crocodile-fearing villain of Hook (1991), was an immortal enduring endless resurrections, akin to Westworld, to fulfill a role in the dark fantasies of the Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up? A.C. Wise’s novel reimagines Neverland as a malevolent reflection of Peter Pan, with a vengeful Captain Hook roaming the streets of London.

3. Autobiography of Red // Anne Carson

Anne Carson’s novel blends her translations of Stesichorus’s “Geryoneis” fragments, relocating the red-winged monster Geryon and his destined slayer Herakles to a modern setting. Here, Heracles becomes Geryon’s lover in a queer bildungsroman, replacing divine missions with the raw intensity of teenage love. Each line is meticulously crafted, demonstrating that youthful passion can rival the grandeur of epic tales.

4. “The Devourings” From The Color Master // Aimee Bender

No compilation of this nature would be complete without acknowledging Aimee Bender’s contributions. She is a cornerstone in discussions about modern fairy tales, with even her non-fantastical works exuding an eerie, mystical quality. “The Devourings,” a standout story in The Color Master, reimagines the Shrek-and-Fiona trope of a human wedded to an ogre, infusing it with heartbreak and a poignant quest for identity.

5. The Bloody Chamber And Other Stories // Angela Carter

Mentioning Aimee Bender inevitably leads to Angela Carter, whose story “The Bloody Chamber” is brilliantly analyzed by Bender here. Carter’s tale is a stunning reimagining of Bluebeard, literature’s quintessential misogynist.

6. The Daughter of Doctor Moreau // Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Why not reimagine the tale of a mad scientist and his human-animal hybrids against the vibrant backdrop of 19th-century Mexico? In Moreno-Garcia’s novel, the serene estate of Moreau, isolated from the turmoil of the Yucatán, becomes a stage for chaos as emotions ignite in the heart of the jungle.

7. Lovecraft Country // Matt Ruff

How does literature address a figure like H.P. Lovecraft, whose groundbreaking influence on the horror genre is marred by his overt racism, which was integral to his vision of cosmic horror? One approach is to reclaim Lovecraft’s themes through the perspectives of POC characters. Lovecraft Country explores sundown towns and the tumultuous realities of integration, revealing that the universe’s indifference pales in comparison to the horrors of systemic racism.

8. The Mere Wife // Maria Dahvana Headley

While Beowulf is often celebrated as a great epic, it largely revolves around men basking in their own glory. Sound familiar? It’s not unlike the self-congratulatory world of American suburbia. Maria Dahvana Headley reimagines Grendel’s Mother as Dana Mills, a pregnant marine living near the picturesque Herot Hall. When her son, Gren, seeks to connect with the townspeople, the result is a modern-day eruption of violence uniquely tied to contemporary America.

9. Grendel // John Gardner

No list of this nature would be complete without acknowledging the original literary monster reimagining. If your high school English class missed this postmodern gem, treat yourself to Grendel’s perspective on the classic “Beowulf comes to Heorot” tale.

10. The Book of Renfield: A Gospel of Dracula // Tim Lucas

We conclude the literary segment of this list where we started, revisiting the timeless vampire and his devoted follower, Renfield, who resembles Tom Waits and mirrors the “old lady who swallowed a fly.” This volume compiles Renfield’s case files with Dr. Seward, shedding light on his tormented psyche and troubled upbringing.

11. Dracula Beyond Stoker Press

Here’s an extra literary treat. This isn’t a traditional book but a fresh fiction journal titled Dracula Beyond Stoker. The debut issue, releasing in November 2022, delves into the Count’s travels across continents, while Issue #2 (set for May 2023) will spotlight Renfield. Like the books on this list, these journals reimagine classic horror tales, taking the concept to new heights—a must-watch for horror enthusiasts.