From AV Club · · 1m 20s
Austen-inspired retellings add fresh perspectives to classic stories
New Austen retellings offer unique views on Jane Austen's characters and worlds.
In brief
New Austen retellings offer unique views on Jane Austen's characters and worlds. Austen-inspired books like Longbourn and Miss Austen provide fresh perspectives on Jane Austen's characters and stories. Originally reported by AV Club.
The Other Bennet Sister
Janice Hadlow's book reimagines Pride And Prejudice through the eyes of Mary Bennet, the overlooked middle sister.
“The book offers a bit more context for Mary’s life after her sisters’ weddings, gives the smarmy Mr. Collins something of a genuine redemption arc, and brings London (never visited in the Austen canon) to vivid and sparkling life.”
Longbourn by Jo Baker
Jo Baker's novel focuses on the Bennet family's servants, particularly housemaid Sarah, offering new perspectives on Pride And Prejudice.
“Historical fiction enthusiasts will enjoy the book’s honesty about the ways that the lives of families like the Darcys and Bennets were only possible because of the hard (and often unseen) work of others.”
Miss Austen by Gill Hornby
Gill Hornby's novel explores Cassandra Austen's search for Jane Austen's letters after her death.
“Told across dual timelines, Hornby’s novel follows a sixtysomething Cassandra as she searches for any letters from Jane that may remain behind at the house of a family friend.”
Death Comes To Pemberley by P.D. James
P.D. James' sequel combines Pride And Prejudice with a murder mystery involving Lizzie and Darcy's family.
“The story picks up six years after Lizzie and Darcy’s wedding. They have two sons, are still deliriously happy, and are busy planning a ball.”
Presumption: An Entertainment
Julia Barrett's book follows Georgiana Darcy's journey after her heart was broken by Wickham.
“Having had her heart so memorably broken by Wickham, she’s vowed never to love again, but this is a Regency romance, and we all know how that goes.”
The Murder Of Mr. Wickham by Claudia Gray
Claudia Gray's mystery centers on George Wickham's death at a house party.
“Wickham turns up dead after a house party thrown by one Emma Woodhouse Knightley, to which she has invited Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy.”
The Heiress: The Revelations Of Anne De Bourgh
Molly Greeley's book follows Anne de Bourgh's struggle against societal restrictions and her mother's influence.
“Greeley’s take on her story is atmospheric and immersive as Anne attempts to break free of both her mother’s overbearing influence and the effects of the laudanum she’s been regularly dosed with since she was a child.”
Miss Bates: Emma Revisited
Catherine Cliff's book explores Miss Bates' life and struggles as a poor spinster in Emma.
“Cliff’s book offers an origin story that fills in the gaps of Miss Bates’ history before she became the butt of everyone in Highbury’s jokes and allows her some well-deserved rage.”
The headline
Austen-inspired books like Longbourn and Miss Austen provide fresh perspectives on Jane Austen's characters and stories.
