Having been raised by a huge Jane Austen fan, I found that I couldn’t escape Austenitis. I’m obsessed, though not quite to an Austenland degree. But Austen retellings are something that I can’t seem to resist and something that I have very strong feelings about. So here are a few retellings I’ve read with some strong suggestions about whether or not you should give it a try.
- For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund - This YA fantasy take on Austen’s Persuasion is wonderfully exciting and heartbreaking. While a lot of Anne Elliot’s maturity and patience is shown differently (it is a YA novel, after all), this book still does a fantastic job portraying our lovers and their conflict.
- Jane Austen Heroes series by Amanda Grange - These are quick reads that show each Jane Austen novel from the heroes’ perspective. While they aren’t anything new or crazy, it’s a fun way to see what the hero could have been thinking and a way to reread the beloved Austen books while still adding a new book to your Goodreads.
- Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith - I LOVED THIS BOOK (though the movie was disappointing). I would only recommend this to zombie and horror lovers - this takes our beloved Austen books and adds a strange twist to them. Overall, I was impressed with how true to the original P&P Grahame-Smith was and how fun the addition of zombies made it. It’s an awesome book that’s worth reading, if only to say that you’ve read it.
- Enthusiasm by Polly Shulman - This YA novel isn’t a straight retelling, but it’s a funny and fantastic look at a couple teenage girls who become obsessed with Jane Austen’s stories. It’s a quick and easy read and a fun way to introduce YA readers to Austen.
Looking for more Austen retellings? This Goodreads list has a bunch to pick from. What are your favorite Austen retellings? What retellings do you want to see more of?
