When my sister, who loves gorry horror movies, suggested I watch a 6 hour long 1996 BBC/A&E version of Pride and Pride and Prejudice...I thought "It must be very good." It was. Very, very good. As an English major...as a reader...I was surprised that I had never ever read any of Jane Austen's works before. I immediately called up my friend Liz and said, "How have I gone through this much of my life without reading Pride and Prejudice before?" Liz responded, "Read Austen's works slowly because she is quite dead. There are only so many."
And then I discovered the world of Jane Austin spin offs.
Books inspired by Pride and Prejudice and/or the movies with the same name.
(This photo doesn't include my DVD's and attests to the fact I do nothing in moderation)
There are so many! By pacing myself, I can keep reading and rereading about Elizabeth and Darcy for years and never come out of that delightful fog of Regency England.
I am going to start posting reviews of some of the Pride and Prejudice follow up books I have read.
Mostly, this is to help me to keep them straight.
I am not an Austen expert...just a fan.
And yet my lack of information (in the expert field) does not create a lack of opinion.
I will post no spoilers (items that give away key plot turns) just an over all take on the book.
If you have read it too - please let me know what you think!
However, I will talk about the plot of Pride and Prejudice as if you already know it....so know it or perhaps don't read the review. It is a wonderful book and I wouldn't want to spoil any part of it for you.
I will also refer to the 1996 BBC/A&E mini series with Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth and the more recent 2005 Kira Knightly and Matthew Macfayden movie of Pride and Prejudice. I admit freely that I liked the BBC/A&E version better.
If you disagree, feel free to let me know.
I always enjoy a well thought out discussion...even if I fail to present one myself at times.
If you have read any sequels or retellings - what were they?
Because, clearly, I am in need of reading material:)
Dude, those books were heavy!
Whoa, nelly, that's a lot of books!
: )
I just finished Mr. Darcy's Diary today, and I very much enjoyed it. It's fun to escape to England!
Posted by: elizabeth | July 06, 2009 at 09:50 PM
I haven't read it, but my brother's girlfriend is reading this one...
http://www.amazon.com/Pride-Prejudice-Zombies-Classic-Ultraviolent/dp/1594743347
Posted by: Chris | July 06, 2009 at 10:15 PM
Thank you thank you thank you:)
Posted by: Liza | July 06, 2009 at 10:16 PM
Looking through your stacks of books there (Whoa! Glad you put them down) - I've read the "sequels" by Linda Berdoll. Some say they're trashy - and yes, they read like romance novels, but it was a guilty pleasure for me. My only problem was w/ all that flowery language, I had to use a dictionary more than once!
Looking forward to your reviews!
Posted by: Cynthia | July 06, 2009 at 10:17 PM
I'm afraid to admit it, but I have never read any of those and it makes me feel totally out of the loop. I did see and enjoy 2005 movie version of P&P. I'm looking forward to your reviews, maybe I'll read one yet!
Posted by: debbie | July 06, 2009 at 10:45 PM
I have been looking for reading inspiration lately...I have never read Austen so I think this is a good time to start. I am a huge Bronte fan (all 3 sisters) and love to find books along those lines.
Posted by: 4JJM | July 06, 2009 at 11:36 PM
You know Bridget Jones' Diary is a Pride and Prejudice re-telling, right?
Posted by: amy schubert | July 07, 2009 at 02:15 AM
no sequels read here yet, but have been considering it. look forward to your reviews. a good set of novels you might like are originally by george mcdonald and put into modern language by dan hamilton. the first one is called a quiet neighborhood. i LOVE it and am going to read the next one.
Posted by: Jen | July 07, 2009 at 04:22 AM
Back in 1996 I saw the BBC-serie as it was broadcasted here in the Netherlands. I completely fell in love with Colin Firth and have not got over it yet (sorry, DH).
Recently our babysitter showed me the DVD of this serie. I immediately bought it and saw it over and over again. Just like Bridget Jones' diary with Mark Darcy.
Now I'm reading "Mr. Darcy took a wife". It's a bit tough, because English isn't my native language, but I'm enjoying it a lot.
So, yes, you may call me a big Pride and Prejudice fan.
And I'm looking forward to your reviews!
Posted by: Ingrid Blankenburgh | July 07, 2009 at 05:44 AM
Sorry, the title of the book I'm reading is of course: "mr. Darcy takes a wife".
I told you it is tough ;-)
Posted by: Ingrid Blankenburgh | July 07, 2009 at 05:47 AM
You might like Austenland by Shannon Hale.
I don't know if you've read Wuthering Heights or any of the Bronte sisters but a good sequel to that is "Heathcliff" by Lin Haire-Sargent. I always find myself what happened "before" or "after" so I love reading these. XX's
Posted by: BethBG | July 07, 2009 at 08:42 AM
I too love the BBC version better. Although the darling, who hadn't read P&P (shocking), enjoyed the 2005 version better. I think it gives a better 'edited' "feel" for the book for non-readers of the book.
I've read most of the sequels in that stack, so I'll be interested to hear what you liked.
Posted by: Katy | July 07, 2009 at 09:14 AM
Love this
Posted by: Michelle | July 07, 2009 at 10:12 AM
I totally agree that the 6 hour version of P&P is much better. You cannot really do it justice in 2 hours. Becca :)
Posted by: Becca | July 07, 2009 at 07:41 PM
96 bbc is the movie in my opinion
nothing like colin as darcy he just oozed the stiff perception
you get in austen's p&p
my vhs is so worn
there is 5 minutes that are "blurry"
i need the dvd
xoxo
ps : love that you're doing this kelly ;)
Posted by: kerry lynn | July 07, 2009 at 10:06 PM
I am so thick, I had no idea that Bridget Jones' Diary was a spinoff of P & P. Of course. Duh. Now I have to go watch it again.
Posted by: elizabeth | July 08, 2009 at 07:09 PM
the BBC one is my favorite version. Love Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy. He is perfect.
Posted by: Jennifer Findlay | July 11, 2009 at 01:06 PM
Persuasion is my fave.:-D
There are loads of BBC Jane Austen adaptations, all are worth a look.
There was also a good series recently here in the UK called 'Lost in Austen' (you can look it up it's on DVD now) where a reader of the book finds a secret door in her bathroom that leads into Pride & Prejudice, very silly and very fun :D
Posted by: Leo | July 22, 2009 at 12:54 PM
Could you possibly list all the titles that you are holding? I managed to increase the photo size to see most of the titles and authors, but there are a few I can't.
Thank you for sharing this, I needed a new book to read!
I just LOOOOVE P&P. I can never get enough! The BBC version is definitely my fave.
Posted by: Crystal | July 23, 2009 at 06:17 PM
Im british and we obc saw the BBC adaptation of Pride and Predj.
And all I can say is....
Colin.
Firth.
is.
fit.
Yummo.
Posted by: kirsty | July 27, 2009 at 03:47 PM
This is great! I've recently become obsessed with the sequels to P&P, too. I love the format of your reviews!!! I recommend the Mr. Darcy trilogy by Pamela Aidan if you haven't found that one already!
Posted by: Melanie | July 31, 2009 at 02:39 PM
I retract the "if you haven't found that one" comment, as I see the books in your stack! LOL!
Posted by: Melanie | July 31, 2009 at 02:40 PM
Just finished "jane austen ruined my life" by pattillo.
Fun read and not as predictable as i first thought. Fast read too...wouldn't want to add too much to that enormous stack :)
Posted by: Carrie K | July 31, 2009 at 07:43 PM