Some Favourite Jane Austen Retellings

[@NatureLoverBooks]

Just finished reading The Other Bennet Sister. I loved it!!!! I feel like a Mary character myself. I felt akin to her in this book. I am serious and love to learn, always strive to do things right and good, (don't always get there), read mostly non fiction, and watch lots of documentaries and love to research. I am quiet and feel awkward in social situations. My brother called me "ugly" during my teenage years. I wish I had an Aunt & Uncle like hers. Well, I definitely did not get treated a bad as she did. I like the way the author skimmed over Pride & Prejudice but from the perspective of Mary. In Pride & Prejudice Mary seems to not have very much of a personality. In this book, she comes to life. LOVED the ending!! (well, except the wallpaper comment) Thank you for reviewing the books!

[@katiejlumsden]

Thanks! I loved The Other Bennet Sister too.

[@acratone8300]

The other Bennet sister speaks: kzbin.info/www/bejne/op2UoGp7Zpt4rs0

[@BookishTexan]

Charlotte is such a great character. _Persuasion_ is my favorite Austen novel, but _Pride and Prejudice_ has so many interesting characters -- Charlotte, Mr. Collins, Wickham, Lady Catherine, Mr and Mrs. Bennett.

[@katiejlumsden]

It really does - so many amazing characters.

[@scallydandlingaboutthebook2711]

You have me dangerously excited about Miss Austen now.

[@katiejlumsden]

I really hope you like it!

[@jermainebaker6172]

A tip : you can watch movies on flixzone. I've been using it for watching a lot of movies these days.

[@livinginsideabelljar6869]

Just discovered your channel, but I love your enthusiasm for books and Dickens so much! It's incredibly infective!

[@katiejlumsden]

Thanks very much!

[@italianbookworm]

The only one of these that I've read is Unequal Affections, which I read on vacation last summer. I really enjoyed it and now that I'm thinking about it, maybe I'll go back and do a reread. Some of my favorites are by Abigail Reynolds (though I can't vouch for the most recent 5 or 6 books, but I've read most of her pre-2018 stuff). She does a lot of What If variations of P&P and she does have a modern one as well. It was originally published as Pemberly by the Sea, but when they republished it, the name changed to The Man Who Loved Pride & Prejudice. I also read Assumed Engagement by Kara Louise, which I really enjoyed. I'd also recommend Pamela Aidan's three part take on P&P from Darcy's point of view and Rebecca Ann Collins' series that takes place after P&P.

[@katiejlumsden]

Unequal Affections is good fun. Thanks for the recommendations - I do enjoy a What If variation :)

[@meghanthestorygirl4581]

AMEN to honouring the ordinary women of history too!

[@katiejlumsden]

EXACTLY! :)

[@mame-musing]

I am in the midst of the audio version of “Longbourn” (beautifully read by Emma Fielding). Before starting I was aware of the story’s premise, however, I was completely surprised at the beauty of the writing.

[@betinaceciliafeld9854]

I'm in Part 3 of it now. At first I wasn't that thrilled by the story (you know, it's not Austen and all that prejudice some of us have) but now I'm lost in it, it's so exciting to discover this secret world of servents and war and misery. I can't wait to know how the story is going to end but at the same time, I don't want to finish the book because I'm going to miss these carachters.

[@katiejlumsden]

Yes, Longbourn is beautifully written! It's such a wonderful novel.

[@jackiesliterarycorner]

The ones I'm interested in are Charlotte and The Other Bennet Sister. I have only read Longbourn and enjoyed it. Other than Longbourn, the only retellings of Jane Austen's novels are in movie form.

[@MilenaReads]

I LOVED the Other Bennet Sister! Now I really want to read Miss Austen too!

[@katiejlumsden]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@takingteawithcatherine]

Ive read all of these except Charlotte, and I agree with you on everything, so I guess I must get a hold of Charlotte!

[@katiejlumsden]

I'm sure you'd enjoy it!

[@BookZealots]

It's amazing how many retelling books there are for Austen books. I currently have a library copy of The Other Bennet Sister.

[@katiejlumsden]

Hope you like it!

[@laurak5196]

Katie, I’m working my way through these recommendations and I’m loving them all. I’m into Miss Austen now and only halfway through. I don’t think I’d have read this one without your recommendation, but I can see why you became emotional about it and I’m not even finished. I’m starting to become very wrapped up in this book and with these characters. I didn’t like Isabella for example at the beginning at all but as we get to know these women……man. It’s heartbreaking and heartwarming at the very same time, isn’t it. And I’m just loving it. And the audio performance as well! Don’t even get me started on Longbourn. I had deleted that from my GR shelves bc of all the bad reviews over there but you convinced me to try it again and I’m SO glad I did. I loved that book SO much. Even more than I thought I would. I hardly ever give fives but that was a five star read, for me. Anyway. Thank God for you and your infectious bookish enthusiasm and wisdom. There is absolutely nothing like the right book for the absolute right time. Will definitely read The Other Bennet Sister too. And I read Longbourn in conjunction with a PP reread and that was a wonderful experience. Anyway. Thanks again. 🙏🏻

[@katiejlumsden]

Thanks so much - glad you've been enjoying these retellings :) Miss Austen is just the most incredible novel.

[@HardcoverHearts]

How fun! I loved Longbourn (all the fantastic class point of view made me so happy) and am in the middle of The Other Bennett Sister. I am adding the other ones to my list. Thank you.

[@katiejlumsden]

Longbourn is so great!

[@CharlesHeathcote]

I'm still grinning at your enthusiasm. I guess I'll have to consider reading Persuasion just to read Miss Austen - your endorsement of the book cannot be ignored.

[@katiejlumsden]

Miss Austen was incredible!

[@margaretlafaive6597]

Hello Katie. I love how you were able to express your enthusiastic regard for Miss Austen. I knew nothing about it and now I can hardly wait to get ahold of it! I'm planning on reading Longbourn later this month. Thank you for a terrific video.

[@katiejlumsden]

Thanks! Miss Austen is amazing.

[@lesliegb5543]

Hi Katie - another great video. I have the audio book for Miss Austen and will be reading this month and so looking forward to it. I really enjoy reading retellings of Pride and Prejudice from Mr. Darcy’s point of view. A few months back I completed three novels by Stanley Michael Hurd called Darcy’s Tale that I thought we’re really good. A modern retelling I read several years ago was the Trials of the Honorable F Darcy by Sara Angelina. It was a fun “chick-lit” version. Longboard and the Other Bennet Sister on on my TBR and now that I know you worked on Charlotte I will add that too.

[@katiejlumsden]

Hope you enjoy all those new ones :) The Darcy's Tale books sound quite fun.

[@lindaklinedinst9236]

I really enjoyed your Reading Vlog - I love to watch your Reading Vlogs and hear about the Books you are reading. Happy Reading ❤️

[@katiejlumsden]

Thanks!

[@betinaceciliafeld9854]

I'm listening to Longbourn now, it's so thrilling! It's very touching to hear your emotion when you speak about Miss Austen, now I want to read it too!

[@katiejlumsden]

Thanks :) It's such a great book.

[@jackiesliterarycorner]

The two i'm most interested in are The Other Bennet Sister and Charlotte. Loved Longbourn. Any Jane Austen retellings I come across other than Longbourn are movies.

[@katiejlumsden]

I hope you like them!

[@deblawrence8341]

I'm sure if they could personally do so themselves, the Barnes & Noble in Rochester, NY (USA) would like to thank you very much for your suggestions and all of the books this particular customer bought today! :)

[@katiejlumsden]

Ha thanks!

[@deblawrence8341]

@@katiejlumsden Katie, do you have any idea when "Charlotte" will be coming out? And, will it be available in the United States? ~thank you.

[@lizlittle1641]

I have been reading The Other Bennet Sister and Longbourn and so far I am enjoying them. I love Longbourn. I see it as a coming of age or growing up story on Sarah's part. It is wonderful.

[@katiejlumsden]

Agreed - Longbourn is amazing.

[@imsathyasekar]

Your passion for the books you love is so inspiring and you articulate your thoughts so well. I so enjoyed this video!! Thanks

[@katiejlumsden]

Thanks :)

[@ellie698]

I hadn't heard of any of these, thank you. I'm going to read some of them, well... most of them 😁

[@kevinrussell1144]

BAT: Some questions.....You seemed to like all of these to a similar degree, which makes it tough to choose one or two to start with. I also noticed some of the comments of some of your followers, and those (perhaps?) might figure in this? I have read "The Other Bennet...." and liked it, but I agree it was somewhat slow in places; however, it was a very positive experience. I came away with a new appreciation (and liking) for Mary. The two (of your recommends) that most pique my interest are Longbourn and Miss Austen. The first (according to below) contains a considerable section that is not at the house but is on the continent? The review states that she did not like that part at all. Can you tell me if this is a glimpse of the Peninsular campaign, and if it is well done/researched? It might be up my alley, since I am a history buff, but Jane herself kept all of the Napoleonic war news off the canvas. I'm curious how it was worked into this one. Miss Austen sounds different, but I've never read the biography produced by Jane's nephew, nor any other biography. I understand that Miss Austen is a fictionalized version of Cassandra's life with pearls of wisdom about Jane. If you had to choose between these two mentioned, where would you start, and IF you were to recommend one of the available biographies of Jane, which would be your pick? Thanks.

[@christinacampbellbooks]

Longbourn sounds intriguing! Really interesting to hear the servant's perspectives. Definitely adding to my Goodreads TBR :)

[@katiejlumsden]

Longbourn is great!

[@MaryAmongStories]

all of them sound incredible!

[@katiejlumsden]

They're all great!

[@ChristyLuisDostoevskyinSpace]

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on this topic! I've been eyeing Longbourn ever since Steve Donoghue mentioned it; now I DEFINITELY want to read it. How hilarious that the servants like Mr. Collins so much 😂 A book exploring Charlotte is also a great idea. All of these sound worthwhile, tbh!

[@katiejlumsden]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@joreads8782]

For some reason I have been reading a lot of these this year. Loved Longbourn I devoured it! I really enjoyed The Other Bennet Sister but probably not as much as Longbourn. I have Charlotte reserved on audio at the library, and am going to try Death comes to Pemberley (I know that was not mentioned here). Not really sure about Miss Austen though. I might try it though. Reading Jane Austen’s nephew’s memoir of Jane Austen at the moment. Not sure what I think about it.

[@katiejlumsden]

I hope you enjoy them all! I have to admit I didn't really like Death Comes to Pemberley, but I hope you get more out of it than me!

[@sabineevers5577]

Hello, and thank you for this interesting video which I found only today and found to contain very good recommendations. Sorry, this is not my native language, so please bear with me :-) I will definitely buy the first four of the books you mentioned, sooner or later, especially the two books dealing with Mary Bennet and Charlotte Lucas/Collins. Something I'd like to add - if I may: What about "Death Comes to Pemberley", the crime story written by P.D.James? (takes place when Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy are married for 6 years). I got it as a present last Christmas and have to admit I had to read it twice until I could fully appreciate it. For people who like both Pride & Prejudice and a nice crime story, I think it might be a good choice.

[@RNgirlknits]

I recently finished The Other Bennet Sister and really enjoyed it. But, I found that it made me feel so differently and often negatively, about many of the characters. I need to check out Charlotte to get back a better impression of her.

[@katiejlumsden]

Yes, I did find myself disliking Charlotte in The Other Bennet Sister, which surprised me!

[@launchedathousand]

I'm currently reading Longbourne now, I also like how it looks at the Bingly household and tells us how they got their money and the character of Ptomly Bingley bringing up race and class. One interesting retelling of Persuasion that I enjoyed is None but You by Susan Kaye, it's a 2 volume novel told from Captain Wentorth's POV.

[@katiejlumsden]

Longbourn is great. I must look into None but You - that sounds great!

[@RaineyDayReads]

I need to read all of these!!

[@katiejlumsden]

You do :D

[@deborahlyra3412]

Another great video! Your videos are amazing, hello from Brazil

[@katiejlumsden]

Thanks!

[@MLLatUtube]

Thank you so much for the recommendations! I have always been hesitant to read a retelling but I am going to try one for Jane Austen July. I have seen everything from Longborn to two that are Persuasion in outer space (the most recent is The Stars We Steal.) I am not at all sure what I will choose.

[@katiejlumsden]

The Stars We Steal sounds fun!

[@SunriseFireberry]

No, not Austen, NOOO, anything but Austen on this channel!!!!!!! :-D :-D. :-D

[@katiejlumsden]

I mean, this month is basically going to be all honest . . .

[@elenaalexa725]

Oh I love that you talked about The Other Bennet Sister in this video again - I recently ordered it online, and I can't for it ti arrive! I don't really have any recommendations for retellings... I'm picking up For Darkness Shows The Stars leter this month, as a Persuasion retelling, but I don't know for sure how much I'll like it :)

[@katiejlumsden]

Hope you enjoy it! I feel hearing about For Darkness Shows The Stars

[@marialuizaassayag6538]

I'm sorry, I don't mean to be rude, but I must ask what you say in the beginning of the video (not a native speaker)? Also, I love your videos and the way you talk about the books you read! at first I didn't appreciate Austen's books, but then I saw your chanel and decided to give her another chance by reading Emma and have no regrets at all!!! one of the best novels I've read 😍 Much love from Brazil 💛💚💙

[@katiejlumsden]

Thanks :) Glad you enjoyed Emma! At the start of the video I saw 'Right so hello and welcome back to Books and Things' :)

[@chelsealovingbooks5961]

Have you read For Darkness Shows the Stars? It is a Persuasion retelling that I really enjoyed.

[@tynakatroberts5117]

I really want to read this one!

[@katiejlumsden]

A lot of people ahve been mentioning this - definietly putting it on my list!

[@KevTheImpaler]

The only Jane Austen character I've been intrigued to find out more about was Maria Bertram from Mansfield Park. At the end of that book she's been banished to live in a cottage with her horrible aunt for committing adultery. So, where does she go from there? I'm not sure I'd actually read it if someone wrote it, but I'd still be intrigued.

[@katiejlumsden]

She would be an intriguing character to know more about!

[@XeaRae]

Have not read these but there are a good few fanfiction stories about Maria Bertram’s life after events in Mansgield Park on ao3. The premises look quite interesting.

[@novellenovels]

I just ordered longboarne but not sure if I will get to it in time for the end of the month. Am reading miss Austen soon but thank you for telling me I need to read persuasion first 😊

[@katiejlumsden]

Yes, I'd definietly recommend it - there's a couple of Persuasion spoilers :)

[@novellenovels]

Books and Things oh best get round to persuasion soon 😊

[@HamsavahiniVajraasthra]

Namaste Katie dear😊.I just 💖love your videos!I'll definitely get a copy of Charlotte by Helen Moffat in September & Miss Austen by Gill Hornby. These are amazing recommendations! A few Jane Austen Pride & Prejudice retelling I came across during this challenge: 1. Austenistan - by Laaleen Sukhera ( A Jane Austen set in modern day Pakistan) . 2. Unmarriageable - by Sonia Kamal ( Also from Pakistan). Lovely video again😊💖💖💖👍👍👍

[@katiejlumsden]

Thanks both :) Unmarriagable has definitely been on my radar for a while, so I'll have to get to that one sometime!

[@ellie698]

Are there are any more new retellings that have been published since you made this video?

[@ellie698]

I'm halfway through Longbourn. I love it! edit.... loved it AT FIRST... BUT the second half.(parts two and three).... nothing to do with Longbourn, follows the backstory of one of the least interesting characters (not the servant who we follow in the first half), Baker has made him out to be related to the Bennett's (although he doesn't know that), follows his experiences overseas as a soldier- Austin didn't write anything about war, and as an Austen fan, i don't want to read about it! the graphic and distressing detail about animal cruelty and the horror of war... no. i grew to hate this book. Had the first part continued i would have enjoyed it. It showed the harsh reality of keeping a household likes the Bennetts running and functions. A lot of hard manual work involved. But parts two and three have nothing to do with longbourn. If I'd wanted to read a story about the way war brutalises everyone, the horrors of the soldiers themselves, the pain, the starvation, the things they do to survive, the abuse of animals, children, women. Just horrible. I would never have picked up this book if I'd known the dark places it shoves in your face. Horrible. Hated it!

[@bethski8]

Thank you for not speaking painfully slow 😆

[@Alpha-qz8wj]

❣

[@jacquelinemcmenamin8204]

I finished The Other Bennet Sister yesterday. I thought it started well but the call backs to P&P got a bit annoying. Mary & Kitty do deserve their own stories but constantly quoting famous lines from the original got tiring. I like the sound of Unequal Affections.

[@katiejlumsden]

Unequal Affections is well worth a read!

[@suzannahdarcy6903]

I've read the Other Bennet Sister, which was 200 pages too long, and Longbourn, which I did not enjoy at all :-(

[@captainmoky]

I describe The Other Bennet Sister as a horror story--the horrible Mrs Bennet is a monster in this book.

[@ellie698]

I just started reading a retelling you haven't mentioned here, The Forgotten Sister by Jennifer Paynter. I've abandoned it a few chapters in. She's invented a whole family of characters who've moved into Netherfield that Mary is spending time with. It's just not working at all. If I'm going to read a spin off, it has to contain the actual characters and storylines, just told from another character's perspective not make up a whole other plot!!! No no no!

[@osorubio1593]

I really enjoy the content of your videos and have subscribed. As a suggestion, could you please talk more slowly. Often, I find it difficult to follow your good thoughts because they come at me so rapidly!

[@katiejlumsden]

Thanks! I promise you, this is slow for me - I have to digitally slow down all my videos because I talk so fast. If it helps, there's a settings icon in the corner of all KZbin videos where you can slow videos down to .75x speed if you want to.

[@beccijo4150]

I love Jane Austen retelling and I love the Regency period... but I don't like Jane Austen or her books very much...sorry!! Longbourn is one of my favorite books, I recommend The Independence of Miss Mary Bennett by Colleen McCullough, its wonderful and it also looks at poverty in the 1800's a lot. Mary is one of my favorites she is very underrated!

[@katiejlumsden]

Ooo that sounds very interesting!