Tuesday 9 April 2019

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Once Upon a Retelling: The Boy Who Steals Houses by C. G. Drews

Once Upon a Retelling

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Welcome to Once Upon a Retelling! I'm a huge fan of retellings, and I'm really interested in hearing about authors' own love of the original stories, and what inspired them to retell those stories. And so Once Upon a Retelling was born, a feature in which I interview authors about their versions of well-loved tales.

I am so very, very excited to have C. G. Drews (aka Cait of Paper Fury!) stopping by the blog today to discuss her Goldilocks and the Three Bears retelling, The Boy Who Steals Houses.

C. G. DrewsCan you tell us a little about The Boy Who Steal Houses? What kind of a retelling of Goldilocks and the Three Bears is it?

The Boy Who Steals Houses is a reimagining of Goldilocks in a contemporary setting and it’s by the perspective of a boy instead of a female Goldilocks. It was really fun to take the bare bones of the original tale and fit them into a modern setting.

Why Goldilocks and the Three Bears? What drew you to this fairy tale? And what inspired you to retell it?

I’m definitely a wild fan of all sorts of retellings, but when we get another Little Mermaid or Cinderella, my mind instantly buzzes with: “What about all the other fairy tales?!” I wanted to retell something obscure and Goldilocks tumbled into being chosen from there.

What do you bring to the Goldilocks and the Three Bears story with The Boy Who Steal Houses?

We don’t know why Goldilocks broke into the Three Bears’ house in the original story (maybe she was just super keen on porridge?!) but in my version, I explore the reason. My protagonist’s name is Sam Lou and he breaks into houses while the owners are away on holidays, not to steal, but because he just wants to feel like he has a home again. He’s homeless and on the run from the police, while also protecting his vulnerable and autistic older brother.

How does The Boy Who Steal Houses differ from other retellings of Goldilocks and the Three Bears out there?

Honestly I’ve never read another Goldilocks retelling! If anyone has found one, point me to it!

The Boy Who Steals Houses by C. G. DrewsWere there any difficulties in tackling a retelling of a story already known, over writing an original story? Anything that was easier?

I find it easier, because I already have a structure to work with. But you could actually read The Boy Who Steals Houses and have zero knowledge of Goldilocks and not even make the connection. It’s very much “my story”, but with Easter Eggs and hints to the original. (One of my favourite nods is how Sam breaks into two houses before he finds the De Lainey house which changes his life. Two failures and the last one was…just right, as Goldilocks would say!)

What do you hope readers get from The Boy Who Steal Houses?

It’s a story about finding your place and feeling like you’ve come home. It’s a story about searching. It’s about a teen who’s desperately craving the warmth and love of a family who’ll look out for him. I hope readers who pick this up also someday find what they’re looking for.

What do you think makes a good retelling?

I personally love retellings that nod to the original but also bring in fresh twists. Give me plot twists and genre changes and surprising romances.

Are there any retellings you would recommend, either of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, or in general?

I haven’t found any Goldilocks ones before, but some of my favourite retellings are:

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The Splintered trilogy by A.G. Howard (Alice in Wonderland)
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To Kill A Kingdom by Alexandra Christo (Little Mermaid)
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Princess of Thorns by Stacey Jay (Sleeping Beauty)
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A Curse So Dark And Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer (Beauty and the Beast)


Splintered by A. G. Howard To Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Christo Princess of Thorns by Stacey Jay A Curse So Dark and Lonely

Anything you would like to add?

Thanks so much for having me on your blog, Jo! It’s been a pleasure.

Thank you, C. G. Drews, for such fantastic answers! I am so looking forward to this book, I'm telling you! It sounds like such a heart breaking read, and I can't wait to read it!

Be sure to visit C. G. Drews website, follow her on Twitter and Instagram, and check out The Boy Who Steals Houses, which is out now!


The Boy Who Steals Houses by C. G. DrewsThe Boy Who Steals Houses by C. G. Drews

Can two broken boys find their perfect home?

Sam is only fifteen but he and his autistic older brother, Avery, have been abandoned by every relative he's ever known. Now Sam's trying to build a new life for them. He survives by breaking into empty houses when their owners are away, until one day he's caught out when a family returns home. To his amazement this large, chaotic family takes him under their wing - each teenager assuming Sam is a friend of another sibling. Sam finds himself inextricably caught up in their life, and falling for the beautiful Moxie.

But Sam has a secret, and his past is about to catch up with him.
From Goodreads.

Book Depository | Wordery | Goodreads

Be sure to check out the other interviews in the Once Upon a Retelling series.

Over to you graphic

What's your favourite fairy tale? Have you read any retellings of Goldilocks and the Three Bears? Will you be reading The Boy Who Steals Houses? Let me know in the comments!

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1 comment:

  1. Ah, I had no idea this is a retelling! Goldilocks is definitely an interesting selection for a retelling. I can imagine it doesn't lend itself as well to adaption as other fairy tales.

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