King Writes A New Interpretation Of Hansel and Gretel
Posted: February 13, 2025, 20:43
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Stephen King and Hansel & Gretel, what a combination. Hodder Children’s Books will release the book in September this year. The synopsis states:
"In this book, Stephen King brings his signature voice to the classic fairytale of two brave children lost in an eerie and dangerous forest. Sendak’s hauntingly beautiful illustrations on every page draw readers into the deliciously daring world of Hansel and Gretel."
King had the following to say:
"When I was asked if I might be interested in writing a new interpretation of Hansel and Gretel, bending it to fit (loosely) with set and costume designs Maurice Sendak had created for the Humperdinck opera of the story, I was interested.
When I saw the pictures themselves, I resolved to give it a try. Two of his pictures in particular spoke to me. One was of the wicked witch on her broom with a bag of kidnapped children riding behind her. The other was of the infamous candy house becoming a terrible face.
I thought, ‘This is what the house really looks like, a devil sick with sin, and it only shows that face when the kids turn their backs.’ I wanted to write that! To me, it was the essence of this story and, really, all fairytales: a sunny exterior, a dark and terrible centre, brave and resourceful children. In a way, I have been writing about kids like Hansel and Gretel for much of my life."
Philippa Pride, King’s editor at Hodder & Stoughton, added:
"Imagine a collaboration between the world’s ultimate storyteller and the world’s most honoured children’s book artist – that is indeed a fairytale come true."
Pre-order here.
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