From the desk of Laurel Ann Nattress:
Today is Pride and Prejudice’s 209th birthday. Many happy returns of the day to Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy.
Jane Austen’s second novel was published in a three-volume set by Thomas Egerton, Whitehall, London in 1813. She sold the copyright for £110. Ouch! One can only imagine how much the novel has made for its numerous publishers over the centuries.
While Austen may have not known its worth at the time she struck a deal with her publisher, Pride and Prejudice’s impact on literature and culture is undeniable. Books, stage plays, movies, television series, and merchandise inspired by the compelling story and its iconic characters are all available to the modern consumer. How about a Lizzy Loves Darcy: A Jane Austen Matchmaking Game, anyone?
The number of Pride and Prejudice-inspired novels in print is mind boggling to the neophyte let alone anyone who has followed the Austenesque genre. Here is a list of a few of my favorites. I highly recommend them all.
“I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book!” Caroline Bingley, Pride and Prejudice
Happy reading, Laurel Ann
MR. DARCY’S DIARY, by Amanda Grange
“What fan of Pride and Prejudice, and Mr. Darcy, could possibly resist reliving a cherished novel and walking in his shiny, black Hessian boots? I couldn’t.”— Laurel Ann Nattress
When you are offering recommendations, it is good to begin with one of the best. Mr. Darcy’s Diary is a retelling of the classic tale from the point of view of its hero, Fitzwilliam Darcy. Grange does an excellent job getting inside of our hero’s head and showing us another side of the story. It is the first book I suggest to those who are new to the Austenesque genre, and for those who want to reconnect.
5 out of 5 Stars
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THE PRICE OF PRIDE: A PRIDE & PREJUDICE VARIATION, by Abigail Reynolds
“Reynolds masterfully weaves an uplifting love story for the ages through what might otherwise be a dreadfully disheartening tale.”— Katie Jackson
Abigail Reynolds is the doyenne of Pride and Prejudice variations. For twenty years she has been writing bestselling and beloved Lizzy and Darcy stories for Austen fans to devour. The Price of Pride is her latest, proving that she just gets better and better through the years. She has many novels to choose from, but give this one a try first.
5 out of 5 Stars
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UNEQUAL AFFECTIONS: A PRIDE AND PREJUDICE RETELLING, by Lara S. Ormiston
“Complex, intriguing, and romantic, Unequal Affections will be one of those novels that you must read more than once to fully understand why it is so compelling.”— Laurel Ann Nattress
The publisher lists Unequal Affection as a Pride and Prejudice retelling, but it is not. Ormiston re-imagines the classic story in the guise of a variation and spins it in different directions. Regardless this is a thinking man’s P&P variation. It will haunt you until you read it again to absorb all the nuances.
5 out of 5 Stars
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THE CLERGYMAN’S WIFE, by Molly Greeley
“I savored The Clergyman’s Wife and found myself looking forward to each opportunity to return to Charlotte’s story.”—Tracy Hickman
Greeley really knocked my bonnet off with her 2019 debut novel, The Clergyman’s Wife. Not only does she know her Pride and Prejudice lore, but she also understands how to continue Austen’s story of the pragmatic spinster Charlotte Lucas who marries that odious Mr. Collins. We get a bit of feminist enlightenment in this one. Bring it on!
5 out of 5 Stars
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THE OTHER BENNET SISTER: A NOVEL, by Janice Hadlow
“…a lush, full introspective tale of a young woman who found her own way to happiness and love as told in a way that honored Austen’s work while forging its own original, engaging path.”— Sophia Rose
There are more Mary Bennet continuations in print than any other secondary character in Pride and Prejudice. That is astounding considering that Austen made her a pedantic pill with only eleven lines of dialogue in the original novel. However, it’s what Austen did with those lines that has sparked writers’ interest in giving Mary Bennet a “makeover” so she can have her Austen-like happily ever after. Hadlow’s makes up for Mary’s lack of page time in the original by giving her 480 devoted to her story. It’s well worth wading through a lot of drama and anxiety. You will be rooting for her all along the way.
5 out of 5 Stars
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THE PRIVATE DIARY OF MR. DARCY: A NOVEL, by Maya Slater
“It made me laugh-out-loud repeatedly and revel in a love story that I read as freshly and intensely as the first time this writer experienced the original many years ago. That, gentle Austen readers, is quite an achievement.”— Laurel Ann Nattress
Ah, another Pride and Prejudice retelling from Darcy’s perspective—but well-worth it. Some might say it is a controversial choice, however, I really liked Slater’s take on a Mr. Darcy that rings true to a Regency gentleman of his rank and times. So, what if he indulges in the diversions of London. Oops. Spoilers.
5 out of 5 Stars
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FORTUNE & FELICITY: A PRIDE AND PREJUDICE VARIATION, by Monica Fairview
“Overall, I found Fortune & Felicity to be the perfect mixture of humor, romance, realism, fairy tale, and, naturally, Pride and Prejudice.”— Debbie Brown
Fairview is a gifted writer who knows how to take Austen’s canon and create magic. Her recent release, Fortune & Felicity, will hook you on reading all her novels. It takes place seven years after Darcy’s disastrous proposal to our heroine, Elizabeth Bennet. She is in financial straits and seeking employment as a governess. Will Darcy hire her and give their romance a second chance? You will appreciate Fairview’s sense of humor and ability with romance.
5 out of 5 Stars
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PRIDE AND PROMETHEUS, by John Kessel
“If you are in an adventurous mood and would like to experience lush, atmospheric, and compelling storytelling at its finest, I can highly recommend Pride and Prometheus…The struggles of its characters, its themes, and its brilliant prose are nonpareil.”— Laurel Ann Nattress
I will leave you with a surprising choice. This literary mash-up continues the story after the conclusion of Austen’s classic with minor character Mary Bennet as the heroine. Yes, another Mary Bennet continuation. Enter Victor Frankenstein and his Creature and you have an intriguing and unique combination. If it sounds outrageous, Kessel makes it totally plausible as he expertly crafts a dark tale deftly told. There are some twists in the plot that will shock tender-hearted Austen fans and delight those who are #TeamShelley. It was fun ride from start to finish for me.
5 out of 5 Stars
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We received a review copy from the publisher or purchased a copy for our own enjoyment. Austenprose is an Amazon affiliate. Cover images are courtesy of their respective publishers; text Laurel Ann Nattress © 2022. Austenprose.com. Header graphic by Rocketsky on DeviantArt.
Hello Dear Readers,
Have you read any of the novels on this list, or others by the same author?
If you enjoy historical romance with witty dialogue, engaging plots, and endearing characters, Austenprose highly recommends them.
Drop us a line below and share your thoughts on this book list and what you are currently reading! We would love to hear from you!
Laurel Ann Nattress, editor
Austenprose 
I’ve read three of them. Although I’ve read all her others I haven’t read this Abigail book, I will certainly read it as soon as I can cope with the angst.
I was trying to work my way through my TBR but am currently rereading known favourites as I know what happens. Most recent are Sanctuary by Cat Andrews, Imperative by Linda Wells and Mr Darcy’s Refuge by Abigail Reynolds, all read many, many times.
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Thanks for visiting, Glynis. Reynolds really knows how to amp up the angst! I like re-reading favorites too. There is something so comforting about revisiting with old friends. I am currently re-reading Pride and Prejudice. I can’t tell you how many times I have read it over the many years, but it is always a delight.
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Excellent recommendations! I have enjoyed many of these books and others by these talented authors. Mr. Darcy’s Diary is one of the first that got me hooked on the Austenesque genre.
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Thanks, Katie. Coming from someone who really knows the genre that is quite a compliment. I am looking forward to discovering new books through you.
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I’m gobsmacked! Thrilled, but delighted to be included in such amazing company. Thank you, Laurel Ann, for all your support for Austen-inspired novels!
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You are so humble, Abigail. Of course you are on my list. I can’t believe you have been publishing P&P variations for 20 years. That is a remarkable achievement. Keep it up. Long live Darcy and Lizzy!
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I like the trilogy by Pamela Aidan, An Assembly Such as This, Duty and Desire, and These Three Remain. Again, they are Pride and Prejudice from Darcy’s point of view. The second volume is my least favourite, but I find them enjoyable, especially Darcy’s transformation in the third.
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I must revisit the Aiden trilogy again soon. It is great. She contributed a short story to my anthology which was fabulous too. Thanks for visiting Amanda and reminding me that I need to read these again.
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I’ve read three of the books listed and a few of the others are on my Kindle waiting to be read.
Mr Darcy’s Diary is the first variation I ever read and it’s still one of my favorites.
You also listed another of my favorite Austenesque authors, Abigail Reynolds! Even though I haven’t read The Price of Pride yet, her other books are fantastic.
I have over 500 variations on my Kindle and am currently reading A Promise of Forever by Christine Combe.
Another one of my favorite authors is L. L. Diamond. I’ve read several of her books and loved them.
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You are indeed a devotee of the genre bookwrm89. Thanks for sharing other authors that you enjoy. I love getting recommendations.
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Happy Birthday, P&P! I’ve read five of those and of the other three, I’ve read others from the author. I’ve been meaning to get to the three I’m missing. Sensational list, Laurel Ann!
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Thank you so much for your kind words, Laurel Ann. It gives me enormous pleasure to know that people are still reading and loving Mr Darcy’s Diary. The book has a very special place in my heart but I couldn’t have done it without Jane. She is my definition of a genius.
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What a fabulous post! Thanks for the great recommendations, Laurel Ann. I have read two of the books on this list and will add the others to my TBR!
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Great recommendation. I read The Private Diary of Mr. Darcy just recently and I wasn’t the biggest fan of it, but it wasn’t in anyway a bad book. I think the author did a wonderful job of giving side characters personality. Anne de Bourgh, Charles and Caroline Bingley, Mr. Hurst being an excellent shot and always with a flask. My favorite however was the valet Peebles. I look forward to checking off a few from this list also.
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I very much enjoyed The Clergyman’s Wife and The Other Bennet Sister. I loved the retellings of Emma, Northanger Abbey and Sense and Sensibility in 2014 from Alexander McCall Smith, Val McDermid and Joanna Trollope. I love Longbourn by Jo Baker and also Jane Austen the Secret Radical by Helena Kelly. All highly recommended
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