Once Upon a Time season 6 is about to open a new storybook featuring plenty of unexplored tales. Here are our reading recommendations!
Summer is coming to an end and with it goes the free hours we have to read and binge all those shows we promised we’d eventually watch. In the final few weeks before Once Upon a Time season 6 premieres, check out a few of the untold stories the series may explore.
Our guide includes titles that explore the story of some familiar characters, new additions to the group, and a few stories that we think will be tackled in the coming months.
‘A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court’
Written by: Mark Twain
How it relates: Violet, Henry’s Camelot girlfriend, or at the very least his only friend who happens to be a girl, revealed at the close of season 5 that her father was not from Camelot but from a little place called Connecticut. The detail may exist merely as a passing nod to Twain’s work seeing as the Camelot storyline has come and gone, but since Violet remains in season 6, a little background on her father might be helpful!
‘Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde’
Written by: Robert Louis Stevenson
How it relates: Seems a bit obvious, but just in case you’re not caught up quite yet, Mr. Hyde is the big bad for season 6. Separated from the timid Dr. Jekyll in the finale, Hyde bargained a deal with Rumpel to take over Storybrooke in exchange for Belle’s safe return. While the two entities are now separated, it may still be helpful to take a peek at their origin and get a read on their personalities.
‘One Thousand and One Nights’
Written by: Compilation of oral histories
How it relates: Aladdin, Jasmine, and Jafar are making their way into the Once Upon a Time narrative this season as part of the untold stories group. Now, we are not recommending you go out and read the entire collection of One Thousand and One Nights also known as The Arabian Nights, but it may be worth your time to read “Aladdin’s Wonderful Lamp” and “Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves.”
The latter is referenced plenty of times in the Disney films and the same characters even make their way into arguably the best Aladdin film, Aladdin and the King of Thieves. We do recommend checking out some more stories in the collection, especially how they are framed since Scheherazade, the legendary queen who told these tales, will be making an appearance.
Once Upon a Time plans to double-dip in this collection, borrowing Sinbad from the pages. There is plenty of reading to be done in this collection alone!
‘Red’s Untold Tale’
Written by: Wendy Toliver
How it relates: This is an official tie-in novel for the series and it gives Red some much needed alone time apart from the screen. We’re hopeful that Once will revisit Red this season, and even more hopeful that her new partner Dorothy will tag along. But until we get to see her, this tale feeds right into the theme of “untold” stories.
Once Upon a Time season 6 premieres Sunday, September 25 at 8:00 p.m. ET on ABC.