There are two ways in which most people deal with classical literature. The first way is a 3-step express method: first, look at the cover; second, run through a summary; third, put the book away. The second way is to read the book from cover to cover, thoroughly enjoy it, re-read it from time to time, watch all screen versions you can find, and still be hungry for more. Whether you belong to the first or the second group of readers, rewrites of classical novels are a great solution. A well-written retelling will get you sincerely interested in the original book. But if you are an experienced bibliophile, you will probably love the rewrite even more – it will offer you a new perspective on the characters.

We have compiled for you a list of 5 brilliant rewrites of classical works of literature where every reader will find something delicious. Give classical plots a chance – they might surprise you with some unexpected twists and breath-taking turns! But if you are worried about the upcoming deadlines for your assignments, remember that you can always get help from a dedicated online essay writer and spend time recharging your batteries and expanding your perspectives with a good book.

1. A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes

If there is a person capable of rewriting Homer's Iliad in a clever, witty, fresh, and feminist way (and such a task is definitely not an easy one), it is Natalie Haynes, a writer, classicist, comedian, and broadcaster. Her novel A Thousand Ships is a retelling of Homer's male-centered classic from an intriguing all-female perspective. 'It's odd that we think of the Trojan War as being a man's story because it's stuffed full of women,' says the Haynes. Based on serious research, but also full of sincere admiration for ancient Greek history, A Thousand Ships is a book to make you fall in love with Homer and his female characters.

2. A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley

We bet you have heard many people say that Shakespeare's works are timeless and that the dramatist himself is no less than our contemporary. But do not discard these popular clichés as useless banalities, because they are actually true. Shakespeare's plays are still as popular as ever and have been rewritten by many modern authors with great success. A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley is, probably, one of the most acknowledged and well-received rewrites. This modern-day literary adaptation of King Learwas awarded the 1992 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. The book spins a dramatic tale of three daughters Caroline, Ginny, and Rose, who are about to inherit their aging father's 1,000-acre farm. As the plot progresses, dark secrets are revealed, and the reader learns why "Lear's daughters" dislike their father so much. The novel's shrewd psychological insight, uncompromising attention to detail, and raw narration will leave very few readers indifferent.

3. Ophelia by Lisa M. Klein

In her rewrite of Shakespeare's Hamlet, Lisa Klein gives voice to Ophelia, one of the most oppressed female characters in Bard's works. As the perspective changes, new aspects of Ophelia's personality are brought to light. Rowdy, inquisitive, resourceful, and witty, this new Ophelia will definitely surprise and delight both Shakespeare fans and newbies. And yet, the book also closely follows the original helping the readers discover subtle psychological nuances of Shakespeare's masterpiece and its undeniable modern-day relevance. After reading this reimagining of Shakespeare's tragedy, you will never look at Hamlet with the same eyes again.

4. Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys

Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre is one of the most beloved novels on the students' reading list: it is full of romance and suppressed passion, but it is also a story of a free-thinking and independent woman struggling to find her own way in life. There are very few readers who can find fault with it. And yet, Jean Rhys, in her powerful and poignant rewrite, has managed to deconstruct Brontë's plot and offer a new perspective that focuses on the feminist and anti-racist re-reading of the novel. It turns out, Bertha, the madwoman in the attic, has her own story to tell, and this story is definitely worth listening to.

5. Eligible: A Modern Retelling of Pride & Prejudice by Curtis Sittenfeld

Is there a golden mead that can be found somewhere between Jane Austen's ageless masterpiece Pride and Prejudice and its hilarious retelling Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding? If such a place exists, it must be occupied by the characters of Curtis Sittenfeld's clever rewrite called Eligible. They are modern-day twins of the Bennets. Liz lives in New York and writes articles for a magazine while Jane is a yoga instructor. Kitty and Lydia are crazy about CrossFit and Paleo diets. And Mary is stuck at home studying online. When Chip Bingley, an extremely good-looking doctor, and his friend Fitzwilliam Darcy, a talented neurosurgeon, arrive on the stage, the reader cannot help but feel the familiar exhilaration. And yet, Sittenfeld will surely succeed at surprising the reader by weaving in fresh plot twists and new perspectives.

Give these inspired rewrites a chance to (re)kindle your love for classical literature!