It's been almost 200 years since Jane Austen's death, yet her words continue to inspire both readers and authors. Based on such classic works as Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility, a huge number of Jane Austen inspired novels have begun springing up in every market and within every genre. From horror to romance, Jane Austen's settings, characters, and stories have been re-imagined for a new generation.
Modern Works
A huge number of modern and contemporary Austen-inspired novels have been published in recent years. Inspired by Jane Austen herself, rather than the plots of her works, these novels address Jane Austen in a most direct way and use the authoress' works and personal life story to inspire their plots. Such novels include:
- The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler
- Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict by Laurie Rigler
- Lost in Austen by Emma Campbell Webster
- Dear Jane Austen by Patrice Hannon
- Austenland by Shannon Hale
- Jane Austen Ruined My Life by Beth Pattillo
- What Would Jane Austen Do? by Laurie Brown
- According to Jane by Marilyn Brant
Historical Romance
Jane Austen's work is the epitome of historical romance. Now a days, historical romance novels inspired by Jane Austen are flooding the historical romance market with dozens of titles. Most popular Austen inspired historical romance novels are based upon Pride and Prejudice's characters and plot. If you're looking for Austen-inspired historical romance, check out:
- Mr. Darcy Takes a Wife by Linda Berdoll
- Darcy and Elizabeth: Days and Nights at Pemberley by Linda Berdoll
- Mr. Darcy's Dream by Elizabeth Aston
- Darcy's Passions: Pride and Prejudice Retold Through His Eyes by Regina Jeffers
- Mr. & Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy: Two Shall Become One by Sharon Lathan
- Pemberley Manor: Darcy and Elizabeth, for better or for worse by Kathryn L. Nelson
- The Private Diary of Mr. Darcy: A Novel by Maya Slater
Horror & Mystery
Believe it or not, a handful of mystery and horror-esque novels have come from the works of Jane Austen. Though Austen was a romance novelist, modern authors have taken her work to this new genre. Those interested in reading Jane Austen inspired horror novels should consider:
- Mr. Darcy, Vampyre by Amanda Grange
- Murder at Longbourn: A Mystery by Tracy Kiely
- Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters by Ben H. Winters
- Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith
- Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls by Steve Hockensmith
- Jane Bites Back: A Novel by Michale Thomas Ford
Chick Lit
Contemporary chick lit has latched onto Jane Austen and simply will not let go. Dozens of Jane Austen inspired chick lit novels have hit the market in recent years and constitute a huge success for the chick lit publishing industry. Interested in reading some of these Jane Austen inspired chick lit novels? Look for:
- Bridget Jones Diary by Helen Fielding
- Love, Lies and Lizzie by Rosie Rushton
- Prada and Prejudice by Mandy Hubbard
- The Trials of the Honorable F. Darcy by Sara Angelini
- The Dashwood Sister's Secrets of Love by Rosie Rushton
- Enthusiasm by Polly Shulman
Non-Fiction
Just as fiction has been inspired by Jane Austen, so too has non-fiction. A variety of interesting non-fiction works are available from books about love to crafting books and everything in between. Jane Austen non-fiction includes:
- Remarkably Jane: Notable Quotations on Jane Austen by Jennifer Adams
- Jane Austen: An Unrequited Love by Andrew Norman
- Jane's Fame: How Jane Austen Conquered the World by Claire Harman
- Jane Austen's Sewing Box: Craft Projects and Stories from Jane Austen's Novels by Jennifer Forest
- Jane Austen and Marriage by Hazel Jones
- A Truth Universally Acknowledged: 33 Great Writers on Why We Read Jane Austen by Susannah Carson
- Jane Austen Companion to Love by Inc. Sourcebooks
- Searching for Pemberley by Mary Lydon Simonsen
Whether you're a Jane Austen fan or are just coming to Jane Austen inspired novels, these selections are sure to please everyone.
Kristyn Hammond - A freelance professional since 2007, Kristyn Hammond has both her BA & MA in English from Tarleton State University in Stephenville, TX.
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