Retellings of Shakespeare's stories in science fiction and fantasy

Shakespeare's stories have inspired countless adaptations, and it's no surprise that they've made their way into the world of science fiction and fantasy. By reimagining Shakespeare's plays in futuristic or fantastical settings, these books offer a new perspective on these classic tales. In this blog post, we'll explore some of the best science fiction and fantasy retellings of Shakespeare's stories.

 
The Tempest by Margaret Atwood: Margaret Atwood's "Hag-Seed" is a retelling of Shakespeare's "The Tempest" set in a Canadian prison. The protagonist, Felix, is a former theater director who seeks revenge against those who wronged him by staging a production of "The Tempest" with the inmates.

Macbeth by Jo Nesbø: Jo Nesbø's "Macbeth" is a retelling of the classic tragedy set in a dystopian city. The story follows Inspector Macbeth as he rises to power through corruption and violence, with the help of his partner, Lady.

 
Romeo and Juliet by S.E. Smith: S.E. Smith's "Romeo and Juliet: The Galactic Version" is a science fiction retelling of the tragic love story. Set in space, the story follows Romeo and Juliet as they try to overcome the cultural and political barriers that keep them apart.

Hamlet by John Scalzi: John Scalzi's "The Collapsing Empire" is a space opera that draws inspiration from Shakespeare's "Hamlet." The story takes place in a future where humanity has colonized other planets and follows the struggles of several characters as they try to save the collapsing empire.

A Midsummer Night's Dream by Neil Gaiman: Neil Gaiman's "The Sandman" is a graphic novel series that draws inspiration from "A Midsummer Night's Dream." The story takes place in the world of dreams and follows the character of Dream as he navigates various supernatural conflicts.


Retellings of Shakespeare's stories in science fiction and fantasy settings offer a fresh and exciting perspective on these classic tales. By exploring themes and characters in new and imaginative ways, these books offer a new take on Shakespeare's timeless works. The books listed above are just a few examples of the many great retellings out there, and they're definitely worth checking out if you're a fan of Shakespeare or science fiction and fantasy.