It’s now 200 years since Jane Austen died, but her
books are immortal. As if to prove this point, Mammoth Screen have just announced
a new adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, which
should hit our screens in 2020. The news has been widely reported, showing the
evergreen popularity of Jane Austen and her timeless novels. The Radio Times and Digital Spy both carried the story.
So what do we all think about it? Comments on my
facebook page have been mixed, with most people needing to know more before
they make up their minds. What we know so far is that it will be made for ITV
and adapted by Nina Raine, who promises us a darker version of the novel. Quite
what that means is anyone’s guess. It could mean there will be a focus on the
humour rather than the romance, or more emphasis on the plight of the Miss
Bennets – in fact, it could mean anything. We’ll just have to wait and see.
Meanwhile, Austenesque fiction fills the Pride and Prejudice - shaped hole in our
lives. My own novels, including Mr Darcy's Diary, Dear Mr Darcy and Mr Darcy, Vampyre are all still very popular, and new books are appearing all the time. There
are trilogies, novels, novellas and short stories – there really is something for
everyone. Historical Romance UK’s own Monica Fairview has a
wonderful trilogy, the Darcy Novels, out now. Mr. Darcy's Pledge starts the
trilogy, followed
by Mr Darcy's Challenge, and Mr. Darcy's Pride and Joy. Austenesque Reviews loved the novels and said: “I am quite enchanted with these delightful sequels by Monica Fairview!”
It isn’t only Austenesque fiction that owes a debt to Jane Austen. Regency romance
owes a debt to her, too. Mr Darcy is the inspiration for the arrogant, haughty heroes who fill Regency novels, and Elizabeth Bennet is the inspiration for intelligent, independent and forthright heroines.
There isn’t enough space to mention every new Austenesque release here, but if you have an Austenesque
release this month, feel free to include a link in the comments below. And
don’t forget to tell us what you think about the forthcoming adaptation of Pride and Prejudice!
7 comments:
Interesting post, Amanda.
I'd also like to pay tribute to some of the authors of the past who have given Austen fans so much pleasure. I love John Coates' 1958 completion of 'The Watsons', for example, and I also enjoyed Marganita Laski's 1975 lively completion of Sanditon'. Joan Aiken, too, wrote some excellent spin offs from Jane Austen's books. Her 'Jane Fairfax' very cleverly wove conversations and scenes from 'Emma' into Jane's story, and I liked her 'Mansfield Revisited' which follows Susan Price's adventures at Mansfield Park.
And, more recently, I think Val McDermid's modern (2014) take on 'Northanger Abbey' is terrific.
Thanks for posting, Elizabeth. You're right, there are some excellent early examples of Austenesque fiction. I recently came across a book by James Fenimore Cooper, Precaution, which I think is based on Persuasion. I say "I think" because I haven't actually read it yet, but I heard it mentioned as an Austenesque work. By the waym what do you think about the news of a new Pride and Prejudice adaptation?
I agree with you, Amanda - we'll have to wait and see. But the bar has been set very high.
Well, I didn't think much of the new version of Far From the Madding Crowd, although the cast was good enough. No beating Julie Christie et al IMHO. I feel much the same way about P&P - the BBC version is the definitive one for me; even if Colin Firth didn't get my pulse racing. I'll reserve judgement on the new version, but I don't think I'd go to the cinema to see it. I'll wait for the DVD to come out, or stream it. In terms of Austen adaptations, my favourite is Persuasion and Ciaran Hinds is the perfect Capt Wentworth.
(Fond memories of the summer you gave a talk at Chawton and we all travelled down from Leicester to hear you, Mandy).
I'm always happy to see a new Pride and Prejudice adaptation. Those of us who like variations obviously are always pleased to see a new possible interpretation. Having taught literature, I know that each person reads a book differently, and that there are myriads of possible interpretations, and the true test of a classic, I feel, is that each different generation sees something new in it. The same with film adaptations. Each adaptation gives us the joy of rediscovering the novel from a different perspective. No one complains about too many stagings of Shakespeare's plays because we know each staging is a unique look at the the characters.
It's a tribute to Jane Austen that people want to keep revisiting her. Pride and Prejudice seems to have a lasting appeal. I think that's fantastic. I'm really looking forward to this new version.
Meanwhile, thank you, Mandy, for mentioning my Darcy series!!
Lizzie, thanks for the reminder about the Chawton talk, that was a lovely day, although extremely hot. I seem to remember almost melting! I'm not sure if the new adaptation will be a series or a film, but I'm hoping for a series. I agree about the 1995 version but I'm still looking forward to another adaptation. Each one I've see so far has offered something new. I think my favourite Mr Collins is from the 1980 TV series and I love the scenery and outdoor locations from the 2005 film, as well as the 1995 mini series of course. So I'm hoping the new adaptation will be the definitive version of some part of the novel for me.
Monica, I agree about Shakespeare and I think Jane Austen is approaching him in iconic status. New adaptations keep things fresh, and offer a chance for anyone who hasn't found their definitive adaptation yet to discover it. And you're welcome for the mention of your Darcy trilogy - perfect reading for anyone who has read Pride and Prejudice and wants more
I agree with Lizzie that the Ciaran Hinds / Amanda Root adaptation of 'Persuasion' was superb. Some terrific acting from Sophie Thompson (Mary Musgrove), Simon Russell Beale(Charles Musgrove),and the late Susan Fleetwood (Lady Russell)and Corin Redgrave (Sir Walter Elliot). They altered the ending, though, which annoyed me. Why on earth have William Elliot losing all his money? It wasn't as if Anne had a fortune. I couldn't see the point.
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