Jane Austen (16 December 1775 – 18 July 1817) is a popular English novelist from the nineteenth century. She wrote six novels which are celebrated as classics of English literature. Austen is not only considered one of the most widely read authors in history, but has inspired many other writers to pick up a pen and write their own novels based on her works.
The Jane Austen Book Club
The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler (2004, Putnam Adult) is the story of a book club, consisting of five women and one man, who meet monthly over a six month period to discuss Jane Austen's novels. Each book club member is assigned one of the six novels to host, and their lives seem to parallel their novel when it comes to love and relationships.
Jane Austen Ruined My Life
Jane Austen Ruined My Life by Beth Pattillo (2009, Guide Post Books) is about Emily Grant, a U.S. college professor and hardcore Jane Austen fan whose belief in happy endings is crushed when she finds out her husband is having an affair. Emily flees to England to lick her wounds and meet a woman who claims to have in her possession a bundle of lost Jane Austen letters. Rather than allowing Emily to read the letters, she is instead sent on tasks which reveal information about Austen's life.
Austenland: A Novel
Austenland by Shannon Hale (2007, Bloomsbury) tells the story of Jane Hayes. A 32-year-old woman who is obsessed with Jane Austen. Hayes is single by choice, as no man can measure up to the image of Mr. Darcy. Hayes is forced to confront her obsession, when her aunt dies, leaving her an all-expenses paid holiday to a place called Pembrook Park. Pembrook Park is a British resort with an Austen theme, where all guests live like Auten's characters. This is the ultimate destination for an Austen fan. Hayes is looking forward to this journey, but things do not go as expected.
Prada and Prejudice
Prada and Prejudice by Mandy Hubbard (2009, Razorbill), is about Callie, an American teen who just doesn't fit in at school. She is clumsy, suffers from foot-in-mouth syndrome and is perpetually awkward. Her class takes a school trip to England where Callie's social standing goes from bad to worse. Then, Callie has an accident and is transported back in time to regency England. Here she meets well-to-do Emily and a handsome duke. True to character Emily must stumbled her way through this experience, offending many respectable English gentry on her way to acceptance.
Mr. Darcy Takes a Wife: Pride and Prejudice Continued
Mr. Darcy Takes a Wife by Linda Berdoll (2004, Sourcebooks Landmark), is written as a sequel to Pride and Prejudice. The story starts at the beginning of the Darcy's married life, with a spicy wedding night. It then follows Elizabeth as she settles into being mistress of the manor, and her sister Jane as she struggles with her passionless marriage to Mr. Bingley.
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith (2009, Quirk Books), is a mash-up parody novel, combining Austen's Pride and Prejudice (1813, T. Egerton) with modern day zombie fiction. The story follows the plot of Pride and Prejudice, but is set in a different version of England where zombies are rife. The Bennet sisters are well trained in martial arts and can hold their own with the undead. As the girls slaughter droves of zombies they also must uphold social decorum, which results in a hilarious retelling of this well-loved classic.
Mr. Darcy, Vampyre
Mr. Darcy, Vampyre by Amanda Grange (2009, Sourcebooks Landmark), is written as a sequel to Pride and Prejudice. Told from Elizabeth's point of view, this novel follows the newlywed couple as they embark on their honeymoon to Paris, the Alps and Venice. As they travel Elizabeth realises that Darcy is hiding something from her, a secret that could tear their relationship apart. Grange has written a story that will appeal to the Austen fan and vampire fan alike.
The Dashwood Sister's Secrets of Love
The Dashwood Sister's Secrets of Love by Rosie Rushton (2005, Hyperion Books), is about the Dashwood sisters. Ellie, Abby, and Georgie Dashwood have issues with their fathers new wife. When he suddenly dies, the girls are upset to hear that he has left them nothing but debt and that he has left their family home to their new stepmother. The girls are forced to leave their home and school, and move to a small cottage in the country to live with their mother. Here the girls must learn to cope with their new circumstances. Rushton wrote this novel in order to pay homage to Sense and Sensibility (1811, T. Egerton), modernising the story for young adult readers.
Rachel Ives - Rachel Ives is a writer from Sydney, Australia. She holds a bachelor degree in communications (journalism), a post graduate degree in ...
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