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 has written one book either inspired by Austen’s characters or based on the author herself.
They appear in alphabetical order:
Compulsively Mr. Darcy by Nina Benneton
NINA BENNETON
“Compulsively Mr. Darcy”
To Be Published: February 1, 2012
This modern take introduces us to the wealthy philanthropist Fitzwilliam Darcy, a handsome and brooding bachelor who yearns for love but doubts any woman could handle his obsessive tendencies. Meanwhile, Dr. Elizabeth Bennet has her own intimacy issues that ensure her terrible luck with men. When the two meet up in the emergency room after Darcy’s best friend, Charles Bingley, gets into an accident, Elizabeth thinks the two men are a couple. As Darcy and Elizabeth unravel their misconceptions about each other, they have to decide just how far they’re willing to go to accept each other’s quirky ways.
Why Jane Austen? by Rachel Brownstein
RACHEL BROWNSTEIN
“Why Jane Austen?”
Publication Date: June 28, 2011
This book considers constructions of Jane Austen as a heroine, moralist, satirist, romantic, woman, and author and the changing notions of these categories. She finds echoes of Austen’s insights and techniques in contemporary Jane-o-mania, the commercially driven, erotically charged popular vogue that aims paradoxically to preserve and liberate, to correct and collaborate with old Jane. The author discusses the distinctiveness and distinction of Austen’s genius, clarifying the reasons why we read the novelist—or why we should read her and reorient the prevailing view of her work.
1932 by Karen M. Cox
KAREN M. COX
“1932”
Publication Date: September 29, 2010
When Elizabeth Bennet left Fitzwilliam Darcy with the words, “… the last man in the world I could ever be prevailed on to marry” she was a sheltered, naïve girl who had never felt the sting of real poverty. What if her circumstances were more precarious? Would she still express herself using those harsh words? What if she were the victim of a raging storm of worldwide economic hardship that touched virtually everyone? How would the consequences of that hardship affect the other beloved characters? If Elizabeth thought she was running out of options, what would happen then? This book puts at twist into the classic tale with Elizabeth Bennet having a pampered existence as the daughter of a university professor in the Midwest until the safety of her world dissolves around her due to unforeseen adversity. Amidst the ensuing upheaval, what – and who – might she discover as she rebuilds a life for herself and her family in the sleepy, backwater town of Meryton?
My Brother and I: My Novel by Cornelis De Jong
CORNELIS DE JONG
“My Brother and I: A Novel”
Publication Date: June 10, 2010
This book is a sequel to “Pride and Prejudice” taken from a completely different point of view. The protagonist and narrator is a young man of no consequence, looking in on Jane Austen’s world from the outside, but eventually becoming inextricably drawn into the very fiber of Pemberley.
Definitely Not Mr. Darcy by Karen Doornebos
KAREN DOORNEBOS
“Definitely Not Mr. Darcy”
Publication Date: September 6, 2011
Chloe Parker was born two centuries too late. A 39-year-old divorced mother, she runs her own antique letterpress business, is a lifelong member of the Jane Austen Society, and gushes over everything Regency. But her business is failing, threatening her daughter’s future so what is a lady to do? Why, audition for a Jane Austen-inspired TV show set in England, of course. What Chloe thinks is a documentary turns out to be a reality dating show set in 1812. Eight women are competing to snare Mr. Wrightman, the heir to a gorgeous estate, along with a $100,000 prize. So Chloe tosses her bonnet into the ring, hoping to transform from stressed-out Midwest mom to genteel American heiress and win the money. With no cell phones, indoor plumbing, or deodorant to be found, she must tighten her corset and flash some ankle to beat out women younger, more cutthroat, and less clumsy than herself. But the witty and dashing Mr. Wrightman proves to be a prize worth winning, even if it means the gloves are off.
Prom and Prejudice by Elizabeth Eulberg
ELIZABETH EULBERG
“Prom & Prejudice”
Publication Date: January 1, 2012
It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single girl of high standing at Longbourn Academy must be in want of a prom date. After winter break, the girls at the very prestigious academy become obsessed with the prom. Lizzie Bennet, who attends Longbourn on a scholarship, isn’t interested in designer dresses and expensive shoes, but her best friend, Jane, might be – especially now that Charles Bingley is back from a semester in London. Lizzie is happy about her friend’s burgeoning romance but less than impressed by Charles’s friend, Will Darcy, who’s snobby and pretentious. Darcy doesn’t seem to like Lizzie either, but she assumes it’s because her family doesn’t have money. Clearly, Will Darcy is a pompous jerk – so why does Lizzie find herself drawn to him anyway?
Experience by Meg Kerr
MEG KERR
“Experience”
Publication Date: February 22, 2011
In this book, Darcy and Elizabeth arrive at Pemberley on their honeymoon, but what if Elizabeth had captured the heart of more than one man? What will that man’s swift arrival at Pemberley mean for the Darcys? Lady Catherine de Bourgh is intent on capturing a husband, with or without his heart, for her daughter scorned by Darcy; and Caroline Bingley, also rejected by Darcy, is intent on achieving greater importance in the world through marriage to an aristocrat—yet who is that tall, dark man attracting her gaze who is “not quite a gentleman”? And who is it that Lydia’s eyes…and feet…are following? Kitty is turning into a woman, and her fine dark eyes are turned towards one who is out of her reach, while Jane and Bingley, who had achieved perfect happiness on their marriage, begin to find it retreating from their grasp. Meanwhile, Mary stakes her happiness on a union of true minds, only to learn that learning alone is a cold companion.
Mr. Darcy's Proposal by Susan Mason-Milks
SUSAN MASON-MILKS
“Mr. Darcy’s Proposal”
Publication Date: September 22, 2011
This retelling of “Pride and Prejudice” asks “what if” events prevented Fitzwilliam Darcy from proposing to Elizabeth Bennet that day at Hunsford parsonage? Darcy arrives with marriage on his mind, only to find Elizabeth has just received news her father is critically ill and not expected to live. In the process of offering his help to her in traveling home, Darcy discovers what she really thinks of him—and it’s not good. Should Darcy deliver Elizabeth home to be with her family and then disappear from her life, or should he propose another kind of help? Will Elizabeth be willing to sacrifice her future happiness to save her family from financial ruin? Or, do she and Darcy, two very stubborn people, have a chance of finding happiness together?
My BFF by Ruth Phillips Oakland
RUTH PHILLIPS OAKLAND
“My BFF”
Publication Date: June 23, 2009
Brilliant, handsome and born into a world of class and wealth, Fitzwilliam Darcy learned early that giving your heart came with a price even he could not afford to pay. Musical prodigy Elizabeth Bennet used the ghosts of her past to scare away all chances for love in her future. Sparks fly when they meet; but will Darcy and Elizabeth crash and burn, or can they overcome their fears through an unusual relationship and find a way to happily ever after?
Fitzwilliam Darcy Rock Star by Heather Lynn Rigaud
HEATHER LYNN RIGAUD
“Fitzwilliam Darcy, Rock Star”
Publication Date: September 1, 2011
Fast music, powerful beats and wild reputations on stage and off have made Slurry the band of the year and the media’s newest bad boys. Described as temperamental by their kindest critics, they’ve just lost their latest opening act and their red-hot summer tour is on the fast track to disaster. Fitzwilliam Darcy, Slurry’s tall, dark, and enigmatic virtuoso guitarist, knows that this is no time to be picky, but he never expected what was waiting when he, Charles Bingley and Richard Fitzwilliam crashed the Meryton Public House. Elizabeth Bennet, the fiercely independent and talented lead singer of Long Borne Suffering has serious reservations about joining such a trouble laden tour with the bad boys of Rock and Roll, but the opportunity is just too good to pass up!
Mr. Darcy Goes Overboard by Belinda Roberts
BELINDA ROBERTS
“Mr. Darcy Goes Overboard: A Tale of Tide & Prejudice”
Publication Date: June 1, 2011
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a yacht must be in want of a female crew. The balmy seaside resort town of Salcombe boasts the best in bikinis, sandcastle contests, and a fiercely competitive squad of buff local lifeguards as Regatta Week approaches. And if that weren’t enough excitement, Mrs. Bennet hears that the splendid villa Netherpollock has been rented by a young man of great fortune. She is determined he’ll go out with one of her daughters, until Mr. Darcy glides in on his stunning yacht Pemberley and she decides he would be the better catch.
The Unexpected Miss Bennett by Patrice Sarath
PATRICE SARATH
“The Unexpected Miss Bennet”
Publication Date: December 6, 2011
This book focuses on Mary Bennet, the third of five daughters, who is a rather unremarkable girl. With her countenance being somewhere between plain and pretty and in possession of no great accomplishments, few expect her to attract a respectable man. But although she is shy and would much prefer to keep her nose stuck in a book, Mary is uncertain she wants to meekly follow the path to spinsterhood set before her. Determined that Mary should have a chance at happiness, the elder Bennet sisters concoct a plan. Lizzy invites Mary to visit at Pemberley, hoping to give her sister a place to grow and make new acquaintances. But it is only when Mary strikes out independently that she can attempt to become accomplished in her own right. And in a family renowned for its remarkable Misses, Mary Bennet may turn out to be the most wholly unexpected of them all.
A Modern Day Persuasion by Kaitlyn Saunders
KAITLIN SAUNDERS
“A Modern Day Persuasion”
Publication Date: March 23, 2011
Nearly eight years ago, Anne’s family, specifically her father, convinced her that she was too young to wed and insinuated that her fiancé Rick was solely interested in her wealth and status. Against her better judgment, Anne agreed to postpone the marriage, only to watch the love of her life walk away, never to be heard from again. Almost a decade later, still single and no longer wealthy, Anne struggles to make a name for herself designing greeting cards. Unable to move on with her life, she finds herself still emotionally bound to the man who disappeared the moment things didn’t go his way. Through a series of serendipitous events, however, Anne is reunited with her old love, just as a new beau enters the scene. Only time will tell if her heart can finally be set free to love again, or if Rick’s initial betrayal will leave her single forever.
Finding Mr. Darcy by Tina L. Treglown
TINA L. TREGLOWN
“Finding Mr. Darcy”
Publication Date: August 8, 2011
For the last 200 years, women all over the world have wondered what it would be like to live the life of one of Jane Austen’s heroines, but does anyone ever act upon that curiosity? Emma Elizabeth Kennedy believes that she can do just that. Equipped with a vast knowledge of Ms. Austen’s writings and an intelligent and determined mind, she sets out to find her very own Mr. Darcy. The real questions, however, are: can Darcy exist in the twenty-first century, and can he exist in Boston, Massachusetts?
Rocks in the Stream by Lewis Whelchel
LEWIS WHELCHEL
“Rocks in the Stream”
Publication Date: January 18, 2011
In this twist on “Pride and Prejudice” Mr. Bennet has recently passed on and Jane doing her best to manage the Longbourn estate. While traveling to his new home, Charles Bingley, accompanied by his friend, Fitzwilliam Darcy, come across an injured young woman who has fallen against a rock and is unconscious. As the men work to discover her identity and reunite her with her family, they learn what it is to love. For one couple, the path is clear. For the other, it appears at first that love may not be enough. However, after a painful separation, they learn that nothing else is required but love to bring happiness and joy to their lives.
Colonel Fitzwilliam's Correspondence by DW Wilkin
DW WILKIN
“Colonel Fitzwilliam’s Correspondence”
Publication Date: July 19, 2011
Witnessing his cousin marry for love and not money, as he felt destined to do, Colonel Fitzwilliam refused to be jealous. He did not expect his acquaintance with the Bennet clan to change that. Catherine Bennet, often called Kitty, had not given a great deal of thought to how her life might change with her sisters Elizabeth and Jane becoming wed to rich and connected men. Certainly meeting Darcy’s handsome cousin, a Colonel, did not affect her. But one had to admit that the connections of the Bingleys and Darcys were quite advantageous. All sorts of men desired introductions now that she had such wealthy new brothers. Kitty knew that Lydia may have thought herself fortunate when she had married Wickham, the first Bennet daughter to wed, but Kitty knew that true fortune had come to her. She just wasn’t sure how best to apply herself.
More lists coming soon…
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