There’s a reason why Jane Austen’s Pride And Prejudice is so widely loved – it’s a hate-to-love story, with equal parts of pride and prejudice, that gives us the sum total of a book-loving heroine, classic romance, and beautiful language. But what if we were to take the essence of this timeless tale and place it in an entirely different setting – it could be a different time period, a different city or country, or even have a zombie plague thrown in! So, if you’re thinking about taking a break from (re)watching the Pride And Prejudice adaptations featuring either Colin Firth or Keira Knightley, here are some wonderful literary adaptations of Pride And Prejudice to curl up with.
01
Austenland
Shannon Hale
Like so many of us, Jane Hayes is just a tad bit obsessed with Pride And Prejudice, and dreams of meeting her Mr. Darcy. Jane is intrigued when an aunt leaves her a Jane Austen getaway trip in her will. However, ‘Austenland’ is filled with surprises for Jane. Here, she is required to strictly follow Regency-era rules of attire and etiquette. She also comes across characters who appear to have stepped out of the pages of Pride And Prejudice. What other surprises await Jane as she steps into a make-believe world that just might make her dreams of meeting Mr. Darcy come true? Not only will you laugh and cry while reading Austenland, you will also find a fellow Pride And Prejudice fan.
Buy it here.
02
Pride And Prejudice And Zombies
Jane Austen, Seth Grahame-Smith
What if Elizabeth Bennet’s prejudice and Mr. Darcy’s pride weren’t the only things in the way of their love story? Seth Grahame-Smith imagines a 19th century England overrun by a zombie plague in this hilarious parody of Pride And Prejudice. While Mrs. Bennet worries about marrying off her daughters, Mr. Bennet trains them to become zombie fighters. Can Elizabeth and Darcy overcome pride, prejudice, and zombies to finally be together? If you want to read further, a prequel, Pride And Prejudice And Zombies: Dawn Of The Dreadfuls, and a sequel, Pride And Prejudice And Zombies: Dreadfully Ever After, are also available.
Buy it here.
03
Bridget Jones’s Diary
Helen Fielding
Can any list dealing with literary adaptations of Pride And Prejudice ever be complete without Bridget Jones’s Diary? This hilarious novel, written in the form of a 30-year-old, single Bridget Jones’ diary entries, has been a fan favourite for years. Bridget decides to set out on a mission of self-improvement, but this is easier said than done since she loves food as much as she hates exercising, her friends and family constantly remind her of her single status, and her job seems to be at a dead end. Is Bridget doomed, or will she finally get her life together, and find love in the most unexpected of ways? Relive the magic of the 90s with this novel, and maybe consider spending the weekend watching the movie adaption (Colin Firth alert!).
Buy it here.
04
Unmarriageable: Pride And Prejudice In Pakistan
Soniah Kamal
Alys Binat spends her days teaching English to schoolgirls and is determined not to marry. But fate and Mrs. Binat have other plans, since the arrival of one Fahad Bingla causes havoc in their small community. When Jena, the oldest Binat sister, catches Fahad’s eye, it’s only a matter of time before he proposes. And then there’s Valentine Darsee, Fahad’s snobby friend, who instantly forms an animosity with the Binat family. Will Alys remain determinedly aloof, or will she discover a hidden side to Valentine that will change the course of her life? A Pride And Prejudice story set in Pakistan, this is a refreshing take on the classic novel.
Buy it here.
05
Eligible
Curtis Sittenfeld
Set in the 21st century, Eligible shows us the Bennet sisters living and thriving in New York City. Sisters Liz and Jane are called back to their hometown of Cincinnati to take care of their ailing father and their crumbling house. They find their sisters unwilling to get jobs, and their mother still harassing them about getting married. When reality TV show participant and doctor Chip Bingley arrives in Cincinnati, he appears to take an interest in Jane. Unfortunately, his friend Fitzwilliam Darcy and Liz are less than happy to meet each other. Since we’re all Pride And Prejudice fans here, we can figure out what happens next! Witty and intriguing, this bestseller should definitely be on your reading list.
Buy it here.
06
The Secret Diary Of Lizzie Bennet
Bernie Su, Kate Rorick
At the age of 24, grad student Lizzie Bennet is knee-deep in student loans and is still living at home. Lizzie’s YouTube series, titled ‘The Lizzie Bennet Diaries’ gains her popularity, but what goes on in her life isn’t always seen on camera. Life becomes even more interesting for the Bennet sisters when Bing Lee and William Darcy roll into town. The Secret Diary Of Lizzie Bennet is a novelisation of the Emmy-award winning YouTube series ‘The Lizzie Bennet Diaries’, which shows us Lizzie’s world away from the camera. We see her meeting William Darcy, revealing details about her family, and even her private thoughts about her fame. With fresh new insights into ‘The Lizzie Bennet Diaries’ and the added charm of our beloved Pride And Prejudice, this book is bound to be a delightful read.
Buy it here.
07
1932
Karen M. Cox
Elizabeth Bennet has lived a sheltered and easy life, but when the Great Depression hits, she and her family have to move to rural Kentucky. Plunged into poverty, she meets the rich William Darcy. Seeing her getting along with his nieces, Darcy proposes an unusual arrangement, one which leaves Elizabeth furious. With her family finances in shambles and no career prospects on the line, can Elizabeth battle her circumstances, or will help come in an unanticipated way for her? This award-winning novel’s variation of the timeless Pride And Prejudice is heart-wrenching and yet, one that cannot be left unread.
Buy it here.
08
The Forgotten Sister: Mary Bennet’s Pride And Prejudice
Jennifer Paynter
We have all read about the eccentric members of the Bennet family, and yet Mary Bennet manages to remain a relatively unknown character. In The Forgotten Sister, we finally get to know Mary’s story. This is the story of a girl who finds comfort in her books while her sisters prefer dancing and socialising. While her sisters are busy with the arrival of Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy, she finds companionship with a musician who is beneath her station in life. It is only when her sisters confront her about her feelings towards the musician that Mary has to face her prejudices, and make her choices. For people who have finished reading everything about Elizabeth Bennet and her adventures in life, do give Mary’s story a try.
Buy it here.
Prasanna is a human (probably) who makes stuff up for a living. When she’s not sleeping or eating, you’ll find her in the quietest corner of the library, devouring yet another hardbound book. She vastly prefers the imaginary world to the real one, but grudgingly emerges from her writing cave on occasion. If you do see her, it’s best not to approach her before she’s had her coffee.
She writes at The Curious Reader. You can read her articles here.
