It Is A Trope Universally Acknowledged
Jane Austen Retellings that Transcend Time and Genre
Words by Loviisa Pasternak / Graphics and Edits by Skylar “Blue” Sanders
For any readers who, like me, cannot get enough of the classic Austenian tropes, this bookish list features retellings that span genre, market, and time period!
First up is “Manslaughter Park” by Tirzah Price, a Queer YA mystery retelling of “Mansfield Park”. In this iteration of the story, Fanny is an aspiring artist who suspects that the death of her uncle, Sir Bertram, may have involved foul play. The murder investigation is complemented by a subtle romantic subplot, and even those familiar with the original won’t be able to anticipate the twists and turns of this version! I actually recommend the entire “Jane Austen Murder Mystery” series by this author, as well as the spinoff series, “A Lizzie and Darcy Mystery”, but this installment strikes me as the most inimitable.
“The Murder of Mr. Wickham” by Claudia Gray is another Jane Austen-inspired murder mystery, though this one is set after the events of the classic novels. It features the couples from each, but stars Jonathan, the son of Lizzie and Darcy from “Pride & Prejudice”, and Juliet, the daughter of Catherine and Henry from “Northanger Abbey”. While Claudia Gray’s interpretation doesn’t entirely match how I imagine Jane Austen's beloved heroines and heroes after their stories end—especially Lizzie and Darcy—this story is endlessly endearing, and the series only improves as it goes on! Also, a deceased Wickham is profoundly satisfying, and I appreciate the neurodivergent representation.
“Much Ado About Nada” by Uzma Jalaluddin is not, as I first thought, a Shakespeare retelling, rather a reimagining of “Persuasion”! Nada and Baz have a long, complicated, and secret history, so their reconnection at a Muslim conference leaves Nada conflicted. I’m not usually a big fan of dual-timeline romances, but Uzma Jalaluddin does a great job of balancing detail with pacing. Beyond the romance, there is a wonderfully developed subplot involving Nada’s startup. I also really enjoyed the supporting cast, from friends to family to community members, and the nuanced insight into Nada's perspective on her own identity and culture.
“Emma” is the Jane Austen story that I most struggle to enjoy, as I find both the main character and the romance difficult to root for. Thus, I was both thrilled and surprised by “Emma of 83rd Street” by Audrey Bellezza and Emily Harding. Their version of Emma is still flawed and still grows beautifully throughout the novel, but she also feels incredibly human to me—relatable and even likable. Her relationship with Knightley is intense, fun, and layered. All of the characters are skillfully adapted to modern times, and the setting of New York City suits this contemporary retelling very well.
Of course, this list wouldn’t be complete without a “Sense and Sensibility” retelling, and “Incense and Sensibility” by Sonali Dev is perfect for readers who crave a story that is equally heartfelt and comedic. It stars Yash, California’s first serious Indian gubernatorial candidate, and his stress management coach, India. After surviving a shooting that left his friend and security guard grievously injured, Yash begins to experience panic attacks. He realizes that controlling his life by controlling his feelings isn’t working for him anymore. He turns to India, who sets aside their brief yet tenuous history to help him—and to ensure that Californians have the governor-elect they deserve.