Stephen King is bringing his voice and signature storytelling to a haunting new retelling of Hansel and Gretel. The acclaimed horror author will narrate the audiobook version of the classic tale, reimagined with eerie artwork by the late Maurice Sendak, best known for Where the Wild Things Are. The audiobook and print editions will be released on September 2.
King, 77, says he was inspired by Sendak’s illustrations, which were originally designed for a stage adaptation of the Hansel and Gretel opera in the 1990s. “Two of his pictures in particular spoke to me,” King shared. “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.”
In this version, King leans into the darker, more psychological aspects of the Brothers Grimm tale, staying true to its roots while adding his signature twist. “To me, it was the essence of this story and, really, all fairy tales: a sunny exterior, a dark and terrible centre, brave and resourceful children,” he explained. “In a way, I have been writing about kids like Hansel and Gretel for much of my life.”
Sendak’s illustrations, paired with King’s narration, promise to breathe new life into the centuries-old story, giving it fresh relevance and a deeply sinister tone. The Maurice Sendak Foundation’s executive director Lynn Caponera praised the audiobook, calling King’s reading ‘captivating and thrilling.’
Known for more than 60 novels, King received the Audio Publishers Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020. His latest book, Never Flinch, was published in May.
The illustrated edition of Hansel and Gretel is available now for preorder.
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