Here is the next list of modern-day writers who, in their own way, have paid homage to Jane Austen’s legendary stories. The entire list below is actually by one author – Abigail Reynolds – who wrote books inspired by Austen’s characters.
Mr. Darcy’s Refuge by Abigail Reynolds
“Mr. Darcy’s Refuge: A Pride & Prejudice Variation”
Publication Date: August 1, 2012
Trapped for three days by a flood, and trapped forever by society because of it. The river isn’t the only thing overflowing in Hunsford when a natural disaster forces Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy to work together. The residents of flood-stricken Hunsford, seeking refuge in the parsonage atop the hill, are unaware they are interrupting Darcy’s disastrous proposal. Even worse, the flood has washed out the only bride to Rosings Park, stranding Darcy with the woman who has just refused his offer of marriage. But it may already be too late to redeem Elizabeth’s reputation.
Mr. Darcy’s Letter by Abigail Reynolds
“Mr. Darcy’s Letter: A Pride & Prejudice Variation”
Publication Date: November 21, 2011
A lady’s reputation is a fragile thing. If anyone ever discovered that Miss Elizabeth Bennet had received a letter from a single gentleman, she could be ruined or forced to marry a man she detests. In this version, Elizabeth takes the safer course and refuses to read Mr. Darcy’s letter of explanation. Returning home unaware of Wickham’s true nature, Elizabeth confesses everything to him, putting both Mr. Darcy and herself in grave danger from Wickham’s schemes.
Mr. Darcy’s Undoing by Abigail Reynolds
“Mr. Darcy’s Undoing: A Pride & Prejudice Variation”
Publication Date: October 1, 2011
What if Elizabeth Bennet accepted the proposal of another before she met Mr. Darcy again? In this version, a devastated Mr. Darcy must decide how far he is willing to go to win the woman he loves. Consumed by jealousy, he knows that winning her will throw them both into scandal and disgrace, but losing her is unbearable. Mr. Darcy is going to have to fight for his love, and his life.
What Would Mr. Darcy Do by Abigail Reynolds
“What Would Mr. Darcy Do”
Publication Date: April 1, 2011
This book explores one of the roads not taken in the original Pride & Prejudice. In this version, before Darcy leaves the Lambton Inn after learning the scandalous news about Lydia and Wickham, he and Elizabeth declare their true feelings. Determined to give Darcy up rather than drag his name through the mud, Elizabeth will have to choose between what is right, and what she wants more than anything.
A Pemberley Medley by Abigail Reynolds
“A Pemberley Medley”
Publication Date: March 28, 2011
This book contains five short variations of Pride & Prejudice from the author. Can Mr. Darcy win Elizabeth Bennet’s heart or will they misunderstand each other forever? Can he stand by and watch Elizabeth lose everything she holds precious including him?
Mr. Darcy’s Obsession by Abigail Reynolds
“Mr. Darcy’s Obsession”
Publication Date: October 1, 2010
What obstacles might have stood in the way of Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy’s love had Elizabeth’s father died, driving the Bennet family out of their estate at Longbourn. What if Jane is forced to marry a much older shopkeeper, and Elizabeth moves in with her uncle and aunt Gardiner. Despite Elizabeth’s diminished circumstances, Darcy tracks her down, but when he finally gets around to proposing, she misinterprets his awkward bid for her hand as a request to become his mistress. As soon as that miscommunication is cleared up, Elizabeth’s younger sister Lydia shows up, pregnant and abandoned by a feckless military officer. Lydia’s situation necessitates Elizabeth return to her family, leaving Elizabeth to wonder if this latest disgrace will deter Darcy’s determination to marry her.
The Man Who Loved Pride & Prejudice by Abigail Reynolds
“The Man Who Loved Pride & Prejudice”
Publication Date: May 4, 2010
This is a modern-day love story with a Jane Austen twist about marine biologist Cassie Boulton who has no patience when a modern-day Mr. Darcy appears in her lab on Cape Cod. Proud, aloof Calder Westing III is the scion of a famous political family, while Cassie’s success is hard-won in spite of a shameful family history. When their budding romance is brutally thwarted, both by his family and by hers, Calder tries to set things right by rewriting the two of them in the roles of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet from Pride & Prejudice; but will Cassie be willing to supply the happy ending?
Pamberley by the Sea by Abigail Reynolds
“Pemberley by the Sea”
Publication Date: October 1, 2008
In this engaging love story, Austen enthusiast Reynolds (The Pemberley Variations) brings echoes of Elizabeth and Darcy to present-day New England. Marine biologist Cassie Boulton spends summers at an insular Cape Cod academic community, studying salt marshes. Sparks fly when Calder Westing, the heir of a famous political dynasty, enters her life, but Cassie knows better than to fall for a man who can have any woman he wants. Certain her low-profile career and inner-city Chicago background disqualify her from long-term consideration, she cuts ties with Calder after just one steamy night. Cassie doesn’t know that Calder harbors genuine feelings for her. With some literary maneuvering, Calder finally wins Cassie’s heart, but his powerful, ruthless father is determined to split them up. Beyond a surplus of cliché and throwaway characters, lush descriptions of Cape Cod are appropriately aphrodisiacal, the couple’s wit and chemistry make them worth rooting for, and Cassie’s well-rendered intellectual life not only gives her depth and independence, it gives readers a welcome break from that standard of modern heroine-ism, the plucky fashion and/or media lackey.
By Force of Instinct by Abigail Reynolds
“By Force of Instinct: A Pride & Prejudice Variation”
Publication Date: July 14, 2008
Elizabeth Bennet never expects to see Mr. Darcy again after his disastrous proposal in Hunsford. But what if family business required him to stay at Rosings after giving her his letter? Coming face to face with Mr. Darcy only days later could give Elizabeth a new chance to understand him… or a chance for even more misunderstandings.
From Lambton to Longbourn by Abigail Reynolds
“From Lambton to Longbourn: A Pride & Prejudice Variation”
Publication Date: March 1, 2008
“Be that as it may, Elizabeth saw Darcy go with regret; and in this early example of what Lydia’s infamy must produce, found additional anguish as she reflected on that wretched business.” The tragedy of that fateful moment at the Lambton Inn is one of the most memorable scenes in Pride & Prejudice, leaving generations of readers to wonder how the outcome would have differed if Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy had chosen to speak their feelings rather than to assume the worst about the other.
Impulse & Initiative by Abigail Reynolds
“Impulse & Initiative: A Pride & Prejudice Variation”
Publication Date: August 3, 2007
Reynolds, author of several self-published Pride & Prejudice Variations, as well as Pemberley by the Sea, also reviewed in this issue, asks, what if Mr. Darcy had persisted immediately in the wake of Elizabeth Bennet’s first refusal? Persuaded by his cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, to snap out of the funk he’s been in since Elizabeth turned down his marriage proposal, Darcy, along with Mr. Bingley, returns to Netherfield to try to woo the woman who has captivated him completely. At first reluctant to change her opinion of him, Elizabeth gradually comes to enjoy his company, but she’s convinced she’ll never be able to love him. Time serves to change her mind, however—so much so that she agrees to marry him—and she even succumbs to a moment of intense passion before their wedding.
Without Reserve by Abigail Reynolds
“Without Reserve: A Pride & Prejudice Variation”
Publication Date: June 25, 2007
What would have happened if Fitzwilliam Darcy faced a true rival for Elizabeth Bennet’s affections? This book takes a different turn when Elizabeth accepts the proposal of a childhood friend before she meets Darcy again. When their paths finally cross, Darcy must decide what he is willing to do to win the woman he loves.
Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy The Last Man in the World by Abigail Reynolds
“Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy The Last Man in the World: A Pride & Prejudice Variation”
Publication Date: June 24, 2007
What if Elizabeth Bennet never had a chance to say, “I had not known you a month before I felt that you were the last man in the world whom I could ever be prevailed on to marry”. Would she learn to recognize Mr. Darcy’s admirable qualities on her own? This book follows Elizabeth and Darcy as they struggle to find their way through the maze of their prejudices after Elizabeth, against her better judgment, agrees to marry Darcy instead of saying those famous words.
More lists coming soon…
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