I had originally read about the Classics Re-Told challenge, several weeks ago, and was under the presumption that the sign-ups to participate were long since closed! However, ever the optimist and curious about being able to participate the next time a challenge such as this would come back around, I left a comment! This was 3rd of September 2013, and by the 5th of September 2013 when I could finally return to see if a note was left in response, I joined officially!

Books I Want to Focus On:

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen; Vanity and Vexation: a novel of Pride and Prejudice {original UK title: Lions and Liquorice} by Kate Fenton; Pride and Prescience or A Truth Universally Acknowledged by Carrie Bebris; Mr. Darcy’s Little Sister by C. Allyn Pierson; Two Shall Become One: Mr. & Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy: Pride and Prejudice Continues by Sharon Lathan; The Private Diary of Mr. Darcy by Maya Slater; The Independance of Miss Mary Bennett by Colleen McCullough; Pemberley by the Sea {alternative title: The Man Who Loved Pride and Prejudice} and Mr. Darcy’s Obsesssion by Abigail Reynolds; Pride, Prejudice, and Jasmin Field by Melissa Nathan; Dancing with Mr. Darcy: stories inspired by Jane Austen and Chawton House {anthology} by Sarah Waters; Shades of Milk and Honey by Mary Robinette Kowal.

*I did not appreciate the style and prose of the one I struck through.

13 books in total. Equates out to 3.25 books per week!

Adaptations I Want to Focus On:

Pride and Prejudice, the audio book recording: Flo Gibson; Bride and Prejudice [2004]; Pride and Prejudice [2005]; Pride and Prejudice [1940]; Lost in Austen: mini-series [2009]; and Pride and Prejudice: the BBC mini-series [1980].

* I did not think I could handle the drone of her voice! The words were rushed together!!

Cross-Related Works:

• Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor {Being a Jane Austen mystery} by Stephanie Barron
• I Was Jane Austen’s Best Friend by Cora Harrison
• Lost in Austen: Create Your Own Jane Austen Adventure by Emma Campbell Webster [2007]

My motivation to read “Pride and Prejudice” and the ‘after canons’:

Even before I first picked up Pride and Prejudice, I instinctively knew that I would be a life-long appreciator of Jane Austen! There was a drawing towards her works, her life, and her styling of writing that I cannot quite pin-point yet altogether know was threaded throughout my growing years and adulthood. I still remember for one of my birthdays {in my twenties} I purchased the “Jane Austen Library” out of one of the mail-order book clubs I was a member of at the time! I cannot recall directly if it was the Book-of-the-Month club OR another one, yet the books were hardback and had the most beautiful cover art I had then come across attributed to her collective works!

Prior to this, my Mum found the “Sense and Sensibility” screenplay {in hardback} which was directed by Emma Thompson. She also gave me a copy of the novel, in order to read and cross reference both texts. I remember beginning both quite eagerly, but I never properly became engaged into either! Around the time of the Keira Knightley adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, I felt that perhaps the stars were aligning and I could once again dig my heels into a book that had left me museful for most of my life! Especially with all the references being made in motion pictures {ie: “You’ve Got Mail”} making me ever the more curious,… I finally picked up a pocket hardback edition at Barnes & Noble! My greatest Austen moment thus far was being able to soak up the narrative during the opening week of the film and seeing it before it left the theaters! Quite chuffed I pulled that off, I must say!

As homage to my quest to understand Jane Austen, and to make a nodding at the first book that enticed me to her works, I decided to focus on Pride and Prejudice and the books that were spun into life out of respect of her canon and out of the inspirations that the story led other authors to create.

My Fellow Classics Re-Told Co-Contributors for “Pride and Prejudice”:

Melissa @ Harley Bear Book Blog

She has listed the following on her post as the selections she will be reading and watching during the challenge: Pride and Prejudice [2005] motion picture adaptation starring Keira Knightley & ?; The Lizzie Bennett Diaries [2012] web adaptation starring Ashley Clements;  Spies and Prejudice by Talia Vance; Austenland by Shannon Hale; Prom and Prejudice by Elizabeth Eulberg; Epic Fail by Claire LaZebnik; Pride and Popularity by Jenni James; and Prada & Prejudice by Mandy Hubbard. Be sure to follow her along as she embarks on this journey!

• Introduction Post
• Pride and Prejudice:  Society’s Pressure to Wed (Then & Now)

Andrea @ Beauty but a Funny Girl

She wrote that she had completely forgotten about the event taken place, but is still going to attempt to participate, as she has watched and enjoyed several adaptations over the years. She filled out a questionnaire specifically addressing her impressions of the films, and what she has taken away by absorbing into the life and world of Pride and Prejudice. I am not sure if she meant for that to be the main post OR if she is going to contribute more as the weeks go by. Stay tuned! By the 16th of September, I haven’t seen any posts leading me to think otherwise, and I think, she has quite literally bowed out. I can understand her circumstances, and therefore, her contribution is her Introduction.

• Introduction Post

J. Dudgeon @ J. Dudgeon

• Introduction Post
• Countdown: 10 Things I Love About Pride & Prejudice
• Pride and Prejudice vs. Pride, Prejudice and Jasmin Fields
• Bride and Prejudice vs. Pride and Prejudice
• Lost in Austen vs. Pride and Prejudice

She is the writer behind her own spin-off version of Pride and Prejudice entitled: Pride & Prejudice in California: Vol. 1: Pride, Prejudice and Termites. She has not yet composed her first posting by the 5th of September when I first began this post. However, on the 8th of September she started to post, including a breakdown of what she hoped to read & view! We have a few overlapping interests, as I too, am going to seek out “Lost in Austen”, “Pride, Prejudice, and Jasmin Fields”, as well as re-watch “Bride and Prejudice”.

Observations of our Differences:

Whereas Melissa and Andrea have grown an affection for “The Lizzie Bennett Diaries“, I cannot stipulate the same affection for the adaptation myself. Personally, it was a bit too raw, modern, and I took issues with various dialogue choices as well as the pace/flow of the story itself. I originally started to hear the murmuring of this adaptation across the broad spectrum of the bookish blogosphere earlier this year, but most predominately over Summer! I tried to keep an open mind about it, but to be honest, my first instinct was to roll my eyes and avoid watching them! Then, I thought that would be too prejudicial of me, and a bit too proud of my admiration of the classic film adaptations, by which, I have always wanted to see in full! I will admit, that even I, have a soft spot for a modern re-telling, which is the 2005 adaptation, where purists [Austenites + Janeites alike!] will shudder in horror for me to even admit this, yet its true! Therefore, after reading this post over on Bookish Comforts which bespoke about modern adaptations, I decided to take up the suggestion of ‘giving it a go’. I stopped watching after Episode 3. I. Could. Not. Take. One. More. Second. To each their own, as the saying goes.

Ironically, or naught, I felt that “The Autobiography of Jane Eyre” might actually be something I’d be more inclined to tune in and watch, as I watched Episode One! I will have to see how I feel about it after I conclude my reading of: Jane Eyre, for both Septemb-Eyre and Books of Eyre!

I am thankful that each of us are approaching this challenge from a completely different perspective and starting point! We might cross-relate on the motion picture adaptations, and of our love of the original canon, but you will be happy to note, we each take different forks in the road from there! Dear hearts, you shall have a full month to spend wandering around our blogs, and seeing a quite varied array of discussions populating our reviews!

Archive List of my Classics Re-Told Posts:

• Prelude: Austen in August
• Preface: What is a girl to do? Except Continue Onward!
• Preview of a new sequel: Book Cover Reveal for “Love At First Slight” by J. Marie Croft
• Post I: Classics Re-Told: 19th Century & Gothic Classics [focus on] Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
• Post II: Walking in Miss Elizabeth Bennett’s Shoes,…
• Post III: Book Review: “Love At First Slight” by J. Marie Croft
• Post IV: My second “Pride and Prejudice” Adaptation | First Viewing | 1940
• Post V: My first “Pride and Prejudice” Adaptation | Second Viewing | 2006
• Post VI: My first re-telling of “Pride and Prejudice” Adaptation | “Bride and Prejudice” | 2004
• Post VII: “Darcy, Such As I”, a special keepsake and glimpse into the novel
• Post VIII: Jane Austen Puzzle via Austen Authors
• Post IX:
• Post X: ?
• Post XI: ?
• Post XII: Austen, Jane Austen, Detective at the Ready!
• Post XIII: Decidedly and Decisively Darcy: Private I’s
• Post XIV: book
• and continuing,…
• Epilogue: Cross-Referencing Austen in August + Classics Re-Told
• Epilogue: Websites of Austen & Pride and Prejudice
• Epilogue: Review of: Lost in Austen, the book
• Epilogue: Review of: Lost in Austen, the mini-series
• Epilogue: book
• Afterwards: Recollections of Classics Re-Told Reading Challenge

Con-current Classic Re-Told Events & Their Respective Hosts:

Ancient to Renaissance Lit Classics | hosted by: Alyssa @ Books Take You Places

Mythology | hosted by: Brittany @ Book Addicts Guide

Children’s Classics | hosted by: The Cheap Reader

American & Miscellaneous Classics | hosted by: Excellent Library

Read this: A full history of how *Classics Re-Told* became to being!

My Favourite Resources for Jane Austen:

• Jane Austen Knits – despite being aware of this lovely zine which drops once or twice a year into our lives, I have not yet had the proper chance to collect the volumes! Each visit I make to Barnes & Noble, I find myself properly flushed with excitement over what the issue will contain! One day!
• Austenprose –
• Jane Austen Centre –
• Jane Austen House Museum –
• Austenticity –
• Jane Austen’s Regency World Magazine –
• Jane Austen’s London – Blog of author Louise Allen who wrote Walking in Jane Austen’s London. I discovered this in connection with her book tour as the book was featured on The Word Wenches blog! Its an exciting book that allows the Janeite full access to know where in London you can take a walk, and be transported into the era of Jane Austen!
• Austen Authors –  An informative blog about Jane Austen, populated by sequel authors who enjoy writing about their muse. A recent discovery of mine! They host monthly giveaways and encourage readers to not only drop commentary but to pass the word around about their lovely blog! The authors you will find in conjunction to the blog are as follows: Susan Adriani [The Truth About Mr. Darcy & Darkness Falls Upon Pemberley]; Nina Benneton [Compulsively Mr. Darcy & Death Sparkles (anthology)]; Diana Birchall [Mrs. Darcy’s Dilemma, Mrs. Elton in America (trilogy), Jane Austen Made Me Do It (contributor), Onoto Watanna, The Story of Winnifred Eaton]; Marilyn Brant [According to Jane, A Summer in Europe, Friday Mornings at Nine, On Any Given Sundae, Double Dipping, Holiday Man, & Pride, Prejudice, and the Perfect Match]; Jack Caldwell [Pemberley Ranch, The Three Colonels, & Mr. Darcy Came to Dinner]; Karen Doornebos [Definitely Not Mr. Darcy & Undressing Mr. Darcy]; Monica Fairview [The Darcy Cousins, The Other Mr. Darcy, Jane Austen Made Me Do It (contributor), & An Improper Suitor]; Alyssa Goodnight [Austentatious, Austensibly Ordinary, & Unladylike Pursuits]; Maria Grace [Darcy’s Decision, The Future Mrs. Darcy, & All the Appearances of Goodness]; Cassandra Grafton [A Fair Prospect: Disappointed Hopes, A Fair Prospect: Darcy’s Dilemma, & A Fair Prospect: Desperate Measures]; Syrie James [The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen, The Missing Manuscript of Jane Austen, The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Bronte, Dracula, My Love, Nocturne, Forbidden, Jane Austen Made Me Do It (contributor), & The Harrison Duet: Propositions and Songbird]; Regina Jeffers [The Phantom of Pemberley, Darcy’s Passions, Darcy’s Temptation, Captain Wentworth’s Persuasion, Vampire Darcy’s Desire, Christmas at Pemberley, The Disappearance of Georgiana Darcy, The Mysterious Death of Mr. Darcy, Honor and Hope, The Scandal of Lady Eleanor, The First Wives’ Club, A Touch of Velvet, A Touch of Grace, A Touch of Cashmere, A Touch of Mercy, Second Chances, His: Two Regency Novellas]; Sharon Lathan [Mr. & Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy: Two Shall Become One, Loving Mr. Darcy: Journeys Beyond Pemberley, My Dearest Mr. Darcy, In the Arms of Mr. Darcy, A Darcy Christmas, The Trouble with Mr. Darcy, Miss Darcy Falls in Love, & The Passions of Dr. Darcy]; Susan Mason-Milks [Mr. Darcy’s Proposal]; Jane Odiwe [Mr. Darcy’s Secret, Willoughby’s Return, Lydia Bennett’s Story, Jane Austen Made Me Do It (contributor), Searching for Captain Wentworth]; C. Allyn Pierson [Mr. Darcy’s Little Sister]; Abigail Reynolds [What Would Mr. Darcy Do?, To Conquer Mr. Darcy, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy: The Last Man in the World, A Pemberley Medley, Mr. Darcy’s Obsession, The Man Who Loved Pride and Prejudice, Morning Light, Mr. Darcy’s Undoing, By Force of Instinct, Mr. Darcy’s Letter, Mr. Darcy’s Refuge, Mr. Darcy’s Noble Connections]; Colette Saucier [Pulse and Prejudice, All My Tomorrows, Alicia’s Possession, Dearest Bloodiest Elizabeth]; Mary Simonsen [Anne Elliot: A New Beginning, Searching for Pemberley, A Wife for Mr. Darcy, For all the Wrong Reasons, Mr. Darcy’s Bite, Mr. Darcy’s Angel of Mercy, Darcy on the Hudson, A Walk in the Meadows at Rosings Park, Captain Wentworth Home from the Sea, Becoming Elizabeth Darcy, Darcy Goes to War]; Sally Smith O’ Rourke [The Man Who Loved Jane Austen, The Maidenstone Lighthouse, Christmas at Sea Pines Cottage, Yours Affectionately, Jane Austen]; Shannon Winslow [The Darcy’s of Pemberley, Mr. Collin’s Last Supper, For Myself Alone, & Return to Longbourn]

{*NOTE: What is most curious to me, is to reflect, that on this one group author blog alone, there are two sequel authors I am reading this month represented! Their book titles are set in bold! I wonder if anyone else has read any of the selections mentioned!? I do notice a bit of a trend to vamp up the characters, however, I am not one inclined towards embarking down this particular path!}

Is “Pride and Prejudice” amongst your favourites of Jane Austen!? Was it the first of her novels that you picked up OR did you select another!? Which adaptation vexes you!? Which adaptation warms your heart and enchants your mind!? What is one happy hearted memory that surfaces to mind when you see a post like this, where the novel is at the forefront of the discussion!? Which Austen sites of interest do you enjoy visiting!? Do you have any to suggest!? Which actors do you think best represent Elizabeth & Darcy!?

This began as a month-long event I was participating, and I decided to expand it to become inclusive of my first Classics Club experience; thus making this a self-directed challenge and not limited to the constraints of it’s original event.

{SOURCES:  Classics Re-Told badge created by Jorie in Canva. Photo Credit: Cas Cornelissen (Public Domain : Unsplash). Post dividers by Fun Stuff for Your Blog via Pure Imagination.}

Copyright © Jorie Loves A Story, 2013.

Related Articles:

Jane Austen in Popular Culture – [Wikipedia]

Walking in Jane Austen’s London (the book) – [janeaustenslondon.com]