Once Upon a Rewrite: A New Chapter in Old Fairytales by Mahika Singh
Fairytales have shaped generations with promises of magic, rescue, and happily ever after. Yet many of those stories placed women in passive roles, waiting to be saved. Once Upon a Rewrite by Mahika Singh boldly challenges that tradition. This poetic collection reimagines classic fairytales through a modern feminist lens, where women reclaim their voices, power, and destinies. At its core, the book is not just about rewriting stories, but about rewriting beliefs.
Redefining Fairytales for the Modern Woman
Once Upon a Rewrite is a powerful response to outdated narratives. Instead of fragile princesses and heroic princes, Singh introduces women who rescue themselves. Each poem takes a familiar fairytale and reshapes it into a story of strength, self awareness, and courage.
Cinderella no longer waits for magic or approval. She rises from the ashes by choice. Sleeping Beauty awakens not through a kiss but through the realization of her own inner strength. These retellings reflect a modern truth that empowerment comes from within. The poems speak directly to readers who have grown up questioning why women were taught to wait instead of act.
Feminism Woven into Poetry
One of the strongest elements of Once Upon a Rewrite is its seamless blend of feminism and lyricism. The poems are not aggressive or preachy. Instead, they are reflective, emotional, and deeply relatable. Singh explores themes of self love, identity, freedom, and resilience with clarity and softness.
The book highlights how societal expectations often become internal barriers. In one retelling, Belle realizes that the real beast was not outside her but the doubt planted within. Jasmine learns that freedom is not something granted by others but something claimed with courage. These moments resonate strongly in a world where women are still told to compromise their dreams.
Themes That Speak to a Generation
Once Upon a Rewrite is more than a poetry collection. It is a conversation with a generation of women learning to choose themselves.
Self Love as a Radical Act
Self love is a recurring theme throughout the book. Singh presents it not as vanity, but as survival. Her poems remind readers that choosing oneself is often the first step toward healing. This message feels especially relevant in a society that glorifies sacrifice over self respect.
Reclaiming Voice and Choice
Another powerful theme is the act of reclaiming one’s narrative. The women in these poems refuse to remain silent characters in someone else’s story. They speak, leave, fight, and grow. This idea of narrative ownership is what gives the book its emotional depth and universality.
Mahika Singh: A Young Voice with Powerful Purpose
At just twenty years old, Mahika Singh has already established herself as a compelling voice in contemporary poetry. A law student deeply involved in women’s rights initiatives, her work reflects both empathy and awareness. Her association with WICCI and other women centric platforms influences her writing, grounding it in real world struggles and aspirations.
Singh is also the author of Lost in a Kaleidoscope, a collection that explored identity and emotional healing. With Once Upon a Rewrite, she expands her creative vision, blending activism with imagination. Growing up in a small town with traditional expectations, she now writes for those who were told to stay quiet and shrink themselves.
Storytelling as Empowerment
Singh believes storytelling can create change. By rewriting fairytales, she invites readers to question the stories they were taught about love, success, and worth. Her poetry encourages readers to see themselves as heroes of their own lives.
Why Once Upon a Rewrite Matters Today
In a time when conversations around gender equality and self worth are gaining momentum, Once Upon a Rewrite feels timely and necessary. It offers comfort to those healing from old beliefs and inspiration to those ready to rewrite their lives.
The book reminds readers that happily ever after is not a destination promised by someone else. It begins the moment a woman chooses herself, her dreams, and her freedom.
A Book for Every Reader Who Ever Felt Small
Whether you are a poetry lover, a feminist reader, or someone seeking gentle encouragement, Once Upon a Rewrite offers something meaningful. Its verses linger, not because they are loud, but because they are honest.
Final Thoughts
Once Upon a Rewrite by Mahika Singh is a refreshing and empowering take on fairytales that have long needed revision. With poetic grace and emotional insight, Singh transforms familiar stories into mirrors of modern womanhood. This book is a reminder that stories can change, and so can we.
In rewriting fairytales, Mahika Singh invites every reader to rewrite their own narrative, with courage, clarity, and self love at the center.
