We all remember the classic books we were assigned in high school English class. While many of them have stood the test of time, let’s be honest – some of them could use a bit of a refresh. That’s where modern retellings of classic literature come in. Authors have been putting a new spin on the classics for years, and some of the results are downright brilliant.

Take Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, which inserts hordes of the undead into Jane Austen’s mannered world. Who knew that Elizabeth Bennet was such a crack shot with a musket in addition to being a whip-smart verbal fencer? And the zombies add a welcome bit of action to break up all those mannered dances and long carriage rides.

Meanwhile, films like Clueless transport Jane Austen even further across time into a modern Beverly Hills high school. Sure, some of the satire of Emma loses its bite, but the core story still works surprisingly well transposed into the era of cell phones and shopping malls.

Not all modernized classics go for laughs and zombies, however. Some aim to bring outdated perspectives into the current day by adding diversity. The Sisters of the Winter Wood puts a feminist twist on old Russian folktales with female leads. And A Thousand Ships retells the events leading up to the Trojan War from the perspectives of the women involved, giving voices to those often silenced in the original Greek myths.

Of course, messing with the classics is always a risky proposition. Diehard fans may balk at seeing their beloved stories transformed. But for those with an open mind, a clever reimagining can breathe new life into familiar tales.

Have you read any modern retellings you enjoyed? Or some that made you cringe? Share your thoughts in the comments! I’d love to hear your take on the hits and misses when old classics get a modern makeover.