Here is the next list of modern-day writers who, in their own way, have paid homage to Jane Austen’s legendary stories. Each of these authors have written three or four books either inspired by Austen’s characters or based on the author herself.
They appear in alphabetical order:
An Assembly Such as This by Pamela Aidan
PAMELA AIDAN
“An Assembly Such as This: A Novel Of Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman”
Released on May 30, 2006
This book retells the now iconic story of Pride and Prejudice through the eyes of Fitzwilliam Darcy as he visits Netherfield with his good friend Charles Bingley and his sisters. The austere Darcy takes life very seriously, and is at a loss as to how he became friends with the amicable Bingley. Darcy has escaped many marriage-minded mothers and their daughters, which is why he initially disdains the Bennet family. Once he gets to know Elizabeth, however, he realizes his mistake, but his attempts to apologize to her only make him act even more awkwardly in her presence.
Duty and Desire by Pamela Aidan
PAMELA AIDAN
“Duty and Desire: A Novel of Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentlemen”
Released on October 3, 2006
This book has Darcy wrestling with his infatuation with Elizabeth Bennet. While Darcy exhibits the class snobbery and noblesse oblige readers expect of him, he also has a purpose: Darcy decides he must find another woman “of his own station as beautiful and blessed with wit as Elizabeth Bennet, whose charms would banish her from his mind and displace her in his heart.” While searching for this woman, Darcy looks after his sister, Georgiana, who is emerging from a long depression.
These Three Remain by Pamela Aidan
PAMELA AIDAN
“These Three Remain: A Novel of Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman”
Released on January 2, 2007
The storied romance of Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet reaches its conclusion. While visiting his aunt’s estate, Fitzwilliam continues alternately courting his beloved Elizabeth and trying to crimp his longing for her. He finally musters his courage and, in an arrogant, bumbling way, proposes marriage. He returns to London in defeat, but realizes, after some time and distance, that her rejection has provided him with the opportunity to become a better man. Months later, a fortuitous meeting with Elizabeth offers them the chance to renew their friendship and for Fitzwilliam to prove he has changed for the better. But just as Fitzwilliam is making headway, George Wickham, his smarmy nemesis, appears and threatens to undo everything.
Young Master Darcy by Pamela Aidan
PAMELA AIDAN
“Young Master Darcy: A Lesson in Honour”
Released on December 1, 2010
It is Christmas, 1797, and thirteen year-old Master Fitzwilliam Darcy is returning from his first term at Eton in full anticipation of the holidays. Soon, he and his family will leave their fashionable London home for Pemberley, their Derbyshire estate, to prepare for the arrival of his irrepressible cousin Richard and the rest of his Matlock relations. But when Darcy arrives in London, he learns that his mother is ill. Her doctor’s prognosis is dire–Lady Anne cannot survive another year! As Christmas approaches, Darcy is torn between his parents’ struggles to carry on and the attraction of an unusual company of players in Lambton for the holidays. With the arrival of Richard and his family, he must try to satisfy the expectations of all and, in doing so, learn what it means to be a
Darcy.
Lydia Bennet's Story by Jane Odiwe
JANE ODIWE
“Lydia Bennet’s Story: A Sequel to Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice”
Released on December 1, 2007
This book sees the world through Lydia’s eyes where pleasure and marriage are the only pursuits. Lydia’s dream of following the regiment to the fashionable resort of Brighton comes true, she is soon the darling of all the officers and tempted not only by a handsome royal dragoon, but drawn to the irresistible charms of one already well known to her. But the road to matrimony is fraught with difficulties and even when she is convinced that she has met the man of her dreams, she quickly discovers that her hero is not the man she believes him to be. Before long his reputation has her running back to Hertfordshire to be reunited with Bennets, Bingleys and Darcys, meeting once again for a grand ball at Netherfield Park. Will she resolve her problems to find happiness or will the shocking truth about her husband cause the greatest scandal of all?
Willoughby's Return by Jane Odiwe
JANE ODIWE
“Willoughby’s Return”
Released on November 1, 2009
Odiwe’s sequel to Sense and Sensibility is best at recalling Austen’s descriptive abilities, but falls short in its treatment of Austen’s beloved characters. Three years after Marianne and Col. William Brandon get married, they’re still unable to discuss two critical and intertwined issues: namely, that Marianne feels jealous of William’s ward, Eliza, the illegitimate daughter of his first love; and the reappearance of Eliza’s father, John Willoughby, who was once Marianne’s love. Matters are complicated by the growing affection between Marianne’s sister, Margaret, and William’s nephew Henry, a developing relationship that serves as a stand-in for the original book’s. As their unshared feelings fester, distance grows between Marianne and William; Odiwe nods occasionally to the inequality between marriage partners, which allows the man to carry on much as he did prior to marriage, an issue that Austen herself would likely tackle; unfortunately, it’s hard to maintain suspense when the central plot conflict can be cleared up with a five-minute conversation.
Mr. Darcy's Secret by Jane Odiwe
JANE ODIWE
“Mr. Darcy’s Secret”
Released on February 1, 2011
Caroline Bingley and George Wickham begin to besmirch Darcy’s good name and sow seeds of discontent, but while Darcy and Elizabeth are already at odds, revelations of past conduct emerge that threaten to destroy their happiness.
Excessively Diverted by Juliette Shapiro
JULIETTE SHAPIRO
“Excessively Diverted: The Sequel to Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice”
Released in September 2002
Newlyweds Mr and Mrs Fitzwilliam Darcy begin their married life at Pemberley quite blissfully but it is not long before the tranquillity they relish is cut short by a series of traumas. The formidable Lady Catherine de Bourgh makes little attempt to hide her distain for her nephew’s wife. She is joined by Caroline Bingley, as sharp tongued and resentful as ever, in the shared amusement of criticising Elizabeth. But the new mistress of Pemberley soon has more pressing matters on her mind, the fact that she is carrying the Darcy heir being the most pleasant of them. The sudden return of her sister Lydia brings cause for concern. Alarming reports of a seduction, blackmail and the need to keep news of another’s confinement secret dampen even Elizabeth’s notoriously high spirits and Darcy shows his true character when faced with the most difficult decision of his life. Has he been softened by his love for Elizabeth or is his former remoteness about to be resurrected?
Mr. Darcy's Decision by Juliette Shapiro
JULIETTE SHAPIRO
“Mr. Darcy’s Decision: A Sequel to Pride and Prejudice”
Released on August 28, 2008
The book finds the newlyweds in their tumultuous first year of married life at Pemberley, entrenched in the frivolous social pressures of their prying friends and family. While the sharp-tongued duo of Lady Catherine de Bourgh and Caroline Bingley criticizes Elizabeth, the new Mrs. Darcy has a happier matter on her mind—the fact that she is carrying the next Darcy heir. But when the sudden and unexpected return of Elizabeth’s sister Lydia brings alarming reports of seduction and blackmail that threaten the newlyweds’ life together, Mr. Darcy is forced to make the most difficult decision of his lifetime.
Ask Jane Austen by Juliette Shapiro
JULIETTE SHAPIRO
“Ask Jane Austen”
Released on October 31, 2008
The modern day reader frequently remarks upon the uncanny manner, despite changes in the morals and mores of society, in which her acute observations seemed to traverse time and apply in so many ways to us today. So, what if you could confide in Jane Austen, seek her advice? This book allows you to do just that. The answers herein come from Austen’s most famous works: “Sense and Sensibility,” “Pride and Prejudice,” “Mansfield Park,” “Emma,” “Northanger Abbey” and “Persuasion.”
Sandition by Juliette Shapiro
JULIETTE SHAPIRO
“Sanditon: Jane Austen’s Unfinished Masterpiece Completed”
Released on March 1, 2009
Had Jane Austen lived to complete Sanditon, it would have been as treasured as her other novels. In the half-finished masterpiece, Austen fashions one of her classic heroines—Charlotte Heywood. The surviving fragment also sets the story well on its path as Charlotte begins an adventure to Sanditon where a full cast of characters becomes intertwined in various intrigues. At first, Charlotte finds amusement enough standing at her ample Venetian window looking over the placid seafront. However, before long, Charlotte discovers that scandals abound. She becomes captivated by the romance of the seaside lifestyle. But is the town of Sanditon truly a haven and will Charlotte find happiness there?
More lists coming soon…
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