Modern Versions of Little Red Riding Hood
Contemporary Novels of the Classic Fairy Tale
Apr 20, 2009
In 1697 French scholar Charles Perrault published “Le Petit Chapeau Rouge” in his Histoires ou Contes du Temps Passé (Stories of Times Past). Perrault’s story was basically a morality lesson aimed at young women and was based on an earlier French oral tale, “The Grandmother’s Story” that was rather bawdy in nature.
In 1812 Jakob and Wilhelm Grimm in their tale "Rotkappchen" ("Little Red Cap") modified the story to make it more suitable for children. Although other adaptations followed, it was not until the 1920s that several were written that were not expressly aimed at younger readers.
Early Little Red Riding Hood Modern Versions
Among these early 20th Century adaptations were Frenchman Charles Guyot's The Granddaughter of Little Red Riding Hood (1922), in which Red‘s granddaughter finds the now old and feeble wolf and tends to him; Milt Gross's Yiddish-American parody, Sturry from Rad Ridink Hoot (1926); and James Thurber's wry short tale, “The Girl and the Wolf” (1939), wherein the wolf proves no match for a fully armed girl.
One of the strangest versions was not an actual short story or novel, but a 1920s essay on "Little Red Cap "written by Nazi propagandist Werner von Bulow. In it the young girl represented Germania; the wolf symbolized her enemies; and the hunter became her protector or Fuhrer. Its basic premise ran parallel to the "stabbed in the back" theory that was gaining acceptance with the German people in the 1920s.
Following are more recent Little Red Riding Hood novels.
Children's Modern Versions of Little Red Riding Hood
Jungman, Ann. Lucy And The Big Bad Wolf. Barn Owl Books, 2005 (Grades 4-8).
A unique retelling of the classic fairy tale, the story centers around young Lucy Jones and a wolf who refuses to believe that Lucy is not really Little Red Riding Hood. Told with a large amount of humor, this short children’s novel covers a wide range of topics such as stereotyping, war, friendships, the need for community, and the treatment of animals.
Cross, Gillian. Wolf. London: Puffin, 1990 (Grades 6-8).
Cassy, a young girl who lives with her beloved no-nonsense grandmother, visits her ne’er-do-well mother and mom's boyfriend in a seedy section of London. While there, she finds herself unwillingly participating in an unusual theatrical production called Wolf. Soon after, Cassy experiences recurring nightmares and gradually realizes that the play and the nightmares may have a sinister connection to her missing father -- a “lone wolf“ terrorist.
Young Adult and Adult Modern Versions of Little Red Riding HoodArgueta, Manlio. Little Red Riding Hood in the Red Light District. New York: Curbstone Press, 1998.
Set during the political upheavals and civil war in the El Salvador of the 1970s, this novel centers around the relationship between two young lovers -- Alonzo, a radical political student known as “the wolf” and his peasant girlfriend, the pregnant Ant, who he calls his “little red riding hood.“ In his complex, allegorical story, Argueta expertly interweaves characters and themes from the classic fairy tale. Definitely for adults only.
Schmitz, Anthony. Darkest Desire: The Wolf's Own Tale. Ecco, 1998 (High School and up).
The wolf in this story is a lonely and unhappy creature who has been ostracized by his own peers because of his insatiable fondness for eating children. He eventually sees a glimmer of hope in his life when he encounters Jakob and Wilhelm Grimm who promise that they can cure him of his cravings. Do they really want to help the wolf or are the brothers only using him for their own literary gains? A short (134 pages) and very off-beat novel.
Viguie, Debbie. Scarlet Moon. New York: Simon Pulse, 2004 (High School and up).
Set during the time of the crusades, this story centers around Ruth who still suffers from the physical and emotional scars left after having been attacked by a wolf when she was little. Now entering womanhood, Ruth spends her time learning to be a blacksmith and visiting her grandmother in the woods. The old lady has been forced to live there because the simple townsfolk mistakenly believe her to be a witch. During one of her visits, Ruth meets a young, ill-tempered, and supposedly cursed noble who arouses the old fears in her. Although strangely attracted to him, Ruth, nevertheless, wonders if he might be a werewolf.
For modern versions of this classic fairy tale story in short story or poetic form, see SurLaLune.
Related Article: The Origins of Little Red Riding Hood.
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