What Do You Like About Pride & Prejudice Variations?

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Gianna Thomas

When I was thinking about my post for today, I went back to a topic that I’ve questioned in my mind for a while. There are a lot of variations of Jane Austen’s classic that go in different directions. Even though they still have the usual cast of characters, there are numerous ways to change her story: having more romance, dealing with different situations, adding new twists to the usual situations, adding new characters, and even having completely different stories.

After writing P&P variations for twelve years, I find that I am rethinking future books. I have about 70 plots/premises in my file, but before I begin a new one, I’m going to give more consideration to how I’m going to develop that particular variation. One of the reasons I want to do that is to come up with one that is different from some of those that are showing up on Amazon.

The other day I did a count, and there are roughly 400 variations available right now on Amazon. And I feel like I have read most of them this past year while recovering from COVID and a four-day hospital stay. 

As soon as I finish Elizabeth’s Bennet’s Bad Days and get it published, I will be preparing to write two or three books per year. Not all will be novels. A number of them will be novellas, and one, at least, will be an anthology with several novellas following a single theme.

Now, as an author of P&P’s, I am rather picky about which variations I enjoy reading. I like ones that follow Austen’s pattern of events and scenes but with some changes or with a few new characters or some slight alterations to the plot. Those I enjoy almost without exception.

Ones that I don’t favor as much-and I’m not sure why-are those that are mashups with Austen’s characters from other books. The reason may be that I haven’t read her other books and am not familiar with those characters. I’ll let you all know when I figure it out.

With the Darcy Vs Series I did more changes than with Darcy Chooses because each was dealing with a different antagonist. Especially with Darcy Vs Wickham, I was writing a mystery, and it was more angst driven than the others. For that reason, I wrote it as a novella/novelette because I didn’t want my readers to be exhausted by the end of the book.

Please let me know how you, an author or reader or both, enjoy your Pride and Prejudice variations.

14 responses to “What Do You Like About Pride & Prejudice Variations?”

  1. Vesper Avatar
    Vesper

    As a reader I only buy P&P variations where the Colonel and Mary Bennet are paired. Therefore with so few books written about this pairing I have a few other genres which I mostly read.

    Reply
    1. Gianna Thomas Avatar
      Gianna Thomas

      I know what you mean, Vesper. There is only a small number that pair the Colonel and Mary. I do think that is a good pairing and will consider putting that in a future book. Might I ask why you look especially for only that particular pairing and the reason you feel it is a good one?

      Thank you for your comment.

      Reply
      1. Vesper Avatar
        Vesper

        As is some ways Darcy and Elizabeth are opposites and fit together, I feel this is the same with Mary and the Colonel, but Mary more like Darcy, and the Colonel like Elizabeth. Knowing less of them both there is more to explore in stories and so make them more interesting to me anyway

    2. Alice McVeigh Avatar
      Alice McVeigh

      Frankly, I find this rather odd. But hey, whatever lights your fire!!! Perhaps you ought to write one?

      Reply
  2. Riana Everly Avatar
    Riana Everly

    I enjoy books that give more space to some of the other characters from P&P. Clearly, I love Mary Bennet, who I think Jane Austen left with unexplored possibilities, and I enjoy variations that give more life to Colonel F. But I do enjoy books that dive into the other novels as well, whether it’s just a some characters interacting with the P&P characters, or variations wholly based on those books. They’re all so wonderful, it’s a pity not to see what treasures they can bring us.

    Reply
    1. Gianna Thomas Avatar
      Gianna Thomas

      I agree that I’ve read some P&P’s that have given more detail about others lives than just Darcy and Elizabeth. They do add to the story and can make it a lot more interesting, especially bringing out additional info about Colonel Fitzwilliam. However…I’m in love with Darcy, so I do want more of Darcy and Elizabeth. And, I guess that I like mainly the details in the original because Jane Austen did such a good job of presenting their story.

      I’m surprised with some of the variations when the authors put different spins on that story. And I’ve enjoyed almost 100% of the P&P variations that I have read. A small number offended me or were not well written. However, the genre is a delightful one, and one I thoroughly enjoy, and I’m pleased it is doing so well and is so popular. And it is also growing rapidly.

      Thank you for your comment, Riana.

      Reply
  3. Glynis Avatar
    Glynis

    I’m less and less enamoured of stories where Elizabeth is taken in by Wickham and refuses to believe she may be wrong! Also books where she and Darcy misunderstand each other for most of the story. I do love more story time with ODC in love and an epilogue is a must for me. Avoiding a wedding between Wickham and Lydia is a bonus.

    Reply
    1. Gianna Thomas Avatar
      Gianna Thomas

      I know what you mean, Glynis. Elizabeth is one smart lady. How could she miss what Wickham was doing in defaming Darcy? She should have caught it in the beginning. But even Jane Austen put blinders on her for a time. Perhaps she felt that Elizabeth would refuse to see what was really happening because she was still angry at his insult at the assembly.
      And I’m with you in regard to more involvement with our ODC’s love story. An epilogue is always a must to wrap things up instead of leaving us in the lurch. That’s like having the hero hanging one handed from a branch high in the tree. I need the bow added to that present that I just finished reading and enjoyed.

      Thank you for commenting, Glynis.

      Reply
  4. cindie snyder Avatar
    cindie snyder

    I like the variations that follow Jane’s story but I like some about other characters too. The other Bennet sisters and characters from other books too. I also like Mary Bennet being brought to the front too. I also like the variety of places they go or take place in. I am not a fan of sci fi but I like some of the variations that take place in other countries.

    Reply
    1. Gianna Thomas Avatar
      Gianna Thomas

      Thank you for commenting, Cindie.

      I too have enjoyed some of the variations that have concentrated on the other Bennet sisters, especially Mary. That may be because she is so quiet and not really a spinster like most of their friends and family consider her.

      As to our dear couple traveling, I guess I enjoy them traveling to London and to Pemberley and the reasons for those trips. I do enjoy them, I think, because of the detail about England and its people.

      I’ve just recently met a couple with my maiden name, and we discussed genealogy because we have family with the same name in Alabama. I was delighted to discover that the husband is related to peers, kings and queens in other countries. If we find we are related, then I will be related to kings and queens also. As an author of Regency England, I found that possibility quite exciting. 🙂

      Reply
  5. Glory Avatar
    Glory

    I read almost any book I can get but unfortunately there is not enough time to read them all.

    Reply
    1. Gianna Thomas Avatar
      Gianna Thomas

      I know what you mean, Glory. There is not enough time to read them all. Maybe that’s why since 2009 I have just stuck with P&P variations fiction. When I was young it was first books about horses, then mysteries like Agatha Christie and Dick Francis (horses again) followed by Science Fiction of Asimov and Heinlein and a huge input of Star Trek. And now my fiction of choice is P&P variations. I just love them.
      I do find it interesting how each of us reads differently: some a little bit of many genres like yourself, others maybe a small number, and others like myself basically sticking with one genre for a number of years. Percentagewise, I wonder how that would break down. 🙂

      Reply
  6. Trisha Kiefer Avatar
    Trisha Kiefer

    I strongly dislike erotic variations. I have no issue with erotica in general, but it’s not my cup of tea when it comes to Austen. A story can certainly show physical intimacy, but when it’s the whole basis of the story I don’t care for it. I do love stories that are continuations rather than variations. It’s so much fun to see how each author imagines ODC’s future lives.

    Reply
  7. Gianna Thomas Avatar
    Gianna Thomas

    Thank you for your thoughts, Trisha. I feel the same about erotic variations or detailed intimate scenes between a man and woman. I appreciate it when an author makes note of their book as being steamy. That forewarning lets me know to avoid it.

    As to continuations, I enjoy those as well. And I love the expanded versions and sequels also. I am very pleased with the many twists and turns of the variations by numerous authors and enjoy the books very much. I am also amazed at the variety that are on Amazon as well. I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of them.

    In the meantime, may the many readers enjoy the continuous influx of P&P variations. May they live long and prosper. 🙂

    Reply

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