Friday, November 23, 2018

Discussion: Pride and Prejudice - What's the Fuss?

Every time I turn around, there is a NEW Pride and Prejudice retelling, spinoff, or sequel hitting the shelves. I have previously confessed, that I have yet to read the book (notice, it's still a possibility), but I can't stop and wonder WHY this story is leveraged over and over again so often. So, I will ask you my lovely readers. 

This Week’s Topic: Pride and Prejudice - What's the Fuss?


As often is the case, I was inspired by a Twitter post:

Of course this caught my attention, because I am always up for a good retelling, but also because there is again, P&P! This has got to be the one classic  I am forever seeing done in a new way or referenced in a book, but what is the obsession?
Question 1: Do you think there is an obsession with P&P? Why?
I know there's the broody hero and the headstrong heroine, but I have seen that combination a million times over. What is it about Darcy and Elizabeth and their story specifically, that inspires so many books and films?
Question 2: If you are a P&P fan, what draws you to that story?
I will admit, I have a little FOMO when it comes to this book. I feel, that as a romance reader, I have an obligation to read P&P, yet, I still haven't. I consider it, but then some new and shiny retelling distracts me, and I think reading the original is not necessary.
Question 3: Do you have a favorite P&P retelling, spinoff, or sequel?
I have read many wonderful P&P inspired stories, and have found that I am able to recognize the major elements of the story. Below are some of the P&P based books I have enjoyed or plan to read:

Let's get to the reason I really wrote this post - tell me what to do!

Now it's your turn!

Do you have a favorite P&P inspired film or book? 
Let us know in the comments!

45 comments:

  1. I didn't like the book when I read it many years ago and haven't watched any version of it. The nearest I got was the Bollywood version Bride and Prejudice which had some funny bits and a modern setting.

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    1. I LOVED Bride and Prejudice. It was such a fun film.

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  2. I read P&P in college. It was . . . fine. I don’t understand the hype, either. I definitely didn’t hate it, but it’s not an all-time favorite or anything. I haven’t read any of the spin-offs or retellings.

    Aj @ Read All The Things!

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    1. At least you didn't hate it, right? From what I can see in all the retellings, it's a cute story, I just have an aversion to reading books written in olden times dialect.

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  3. I haven't read it either!! I have the audio version though I juts haven't felt like listening. I also have never watched a movie version. I think I have read some books inspired but loosely so I never think I missed anything by not reading the original.

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    1. I considered the audio, but I have to really pay attention when I am listening/watching something with accents. I feel like I would not be able to follow along well with the audio. I heard the Kiera Knightly version is good, but I don't know about any of the film versions.

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  4. I won a P&P retelling from Goodreads a couple years ago, and I had never read the original, so I read that first. I enjoyed it, particularly because for a classic, it was easy to read and understand. Obviously, the story is outdated, but I think it has a good message about first impressions and really getting to know someone.

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    1. Which book did you win? Wonder if I read it/want to read it. I feel like many books may seem outdated, but that so many themes in the books are timeless.

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    2. Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld.

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  5. Lol, I am like you :D I haven't read P&P either. But I have watched the movie, the same from which you have used that gif. And I have to say that movie was quite good and what I have heard, it is closest adaptation of the book :) I am yet to read any of the retellings that you have mentioned, but I have read some others. And I totally agree that P&P retelling is quite common as compared to other classics.

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    1. My daughter also liked the Kiera Knightly version. It seems like other Austen books are popular for retellings as well. I have come across quite a few Persuasion retellings too. *High Five* to my non-P&P reading partner.

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  6. I've read P&P as well as a few other Austen books. My personal favorite is Sense and Sensibility, my sister is an Emma fan--so not EVERYONE prefers Pride and Prejudice! I really want to read Pride soon, and I kind of adored Bridget Jones' Diary, which I read in my late 20s, so perfect timing. I never got the Colin Firth thirst until I saw the BBC miniseries, but for my money, the best Austen retelling is Clueless.

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    1. I think Auten's books, in general, are well loved, and I have seen retellings/inspired by books for many of her works, but P&P just seems to pop up quite often. YES! Clueless really is a cinema masterpiece.

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    2. WENDY. Yes. Sense & Sensibility > P&P any day of the week. Also when it comes to the movie adaptions, because give me Alan Rickman as Colonel Brandon over Colin Firth as Darcy allll dayyyy loonnnnng. LOL

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  7. I've never read it but I'm quite fond of the 2005 film adaptation. I'm more familiar with Sense and sensibility though due to having watched the Emma Thompson film version several times. Both are great but I've never read either book- go figure. :) In my defense I did try the S&S book once but I didn't get very far, sadly. :(

    Seems like I've heard Austenland is good. I've heard Carrie Bebris' spin off books are good too, but I haven't read 'em.
    http://www.carriebebris.com/darcy_mysteries.php

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    1. I am not huge on classics either. I think I burned out on them in high school. I read and saw the Austenland movie. It was fun! I am actually leaning towards watching a P&P film. I have to check out the 2005 adaptation.

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  8. I feel the same way! I haven't read this story but I feel like I basically know it because of all the retellings. Same with Jane Eyre! I've heard fantastic things about the mini-series. I've been meaning to check it out too.

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    1. Glad to meet more non-P&P readers. I think I have heard mention of the mini-series as well. It really will come down to how big a time commitment I am willing to make as to what I will do (watch, read, listen)

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  9. I don't see what everyone else sees in P&P either. I'm pretty sure I watched one of its various movies and it was ok. For me, it was nothing to gush other and it never awoke something so strong in me that I went looking for the original book or for a retelling. I adore romance but that doesn't mean that P&P is for me. I don't think I'll ever read the book :/

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    1. I didn't read any books because they were P&P retellings, but I did find it interesting that they were inspired by P&P. I am pretty much on the fence about reading it. I think I am leaning towards a film, since the commitment is only about 2 hours.

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  10. I read it and loved it when I was in college. I think for me the appeal was that it was the first classic I had come across that had a truly sassy heroine who spoke her mind and put arrogant males in their place. The banter between Lizzie and Darcy was just so electric and even though the story itself is outdated, I still find myself drawn to similar characters, whether it's a P&P retelling or not.

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    1. I appreciate that Elizabeth was written a little different for a woman of that era. I am curious to how she was received, when the book was first published.

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  11. So I voted for watch the movie and the one with Keira Knightley because we swoon over this movie every (numerous) time with my daughter LOL Now to get to your question: why Pride and prejudice? I have no clue at all so if you find the answer just message me LOL Sophie @bewareofthereader

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    1. I think you are the 4th person who told me to watch the film, and the Knightly film in particular. I am leaning that way, because it requires less time than the book to complete. My daughter also approves of this film.

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  12. I like retellings, so I think it's great that there are so many of these for people who like P&P! But honestly I have neither read the book nor seen the movie lol, and I can't say I plan to, but it must be pretty great for so many people to love it!

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    1. So we are in the same P&P club. I am all about finding the things you love and make you happy, I am just curious what all the hype is with this story in particular, because I tend to suffer from FOMO, but also have too many time commitments.

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  13. Is it awful that I have NO interest in the original? I have read several retellings I am sure (heck, I didn't know that First & Then was one, and I have read that!I have also seen Bridget Jones, Idk if that counts hah) and I guess as a person who hasn't read the source, I cannot explain the fuss. I suppose if you are genuinely curious, it couldn't hurt to read/watch it? But if you feel like I do (would pretty much rather go to the dentist ha) then you're probably safe to skip it!

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    1. Personally, I think seeing the movies counts. It may not be an exact replica of the book, but they must include all the big plot points, right? I am leaning towards the movie, since that will only take 2 hours to watch. And yeah, I think it's more curiosity than need for me.

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  14. Well, I'm a super Austen fan- read all her novels and some of her older stories, watched most of the movie and TV adaptions, and read tons of retellings, variations, and sequels. I don't think its a bad thing that you haven't read it yet. I haven't read many of the classics still. I think her books are still popular two hundred years later because the themes of her books and her light wit draw new fans all the time. I think P&P is the most popular because Mr. Darcy- he's willing to change and overcome his faults for the love of a worthy woman. :)

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    1. I think high school required reading turned me sour on classics. I liked so few of them, and I am such a contemporary reader too. I feel I find classic themes in most books. You can totally find themes covered by Biblical stories in modern day books. As complicated as humans are, we all seem to repeat certain behaviors. Yeah, as a romance reader, I could totally find myself swooning over a man, who will be better to earn the love a woman.

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  15. I've probably seen more movie re-tellings than I've read book re-tellings (Bridget Jones, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies), but I have yet to read the original either. I don't really feel like it's necessary at this point, but I am curious to maybe one day check it out; just to say I did. LOL Plus, I was an English major, so I feel like I should have read it...but I did read Persuasion and I really liked that one.

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. That's the point I am at. More curiosity, than pressing need. Persuasion is another one I have read many retellings of, though I don't feel it's as popular as P&P.

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  16. Okay, I've read the book (maybe 20 years ago) and yes it was enjoyable and you could sit and discuss Austen's use of societal satire and blah blah blah but at the end of the day it wasn't any more exciting, romantic, or unforgettable than other books I've read. Heresy, I know! I enjoyed it - but I am far from obsessed with it. And frankly I don't really understand the obsession. People who read everyone retelling, have read the original book 147 times, swoon over Darcy, ow every version of the films. Just don't get it. I've meant to see the Colin Firth version because I like him but the only one I've seen is the Kiera Knightley one, which was very good. She made an excellent Elizabeth Bennett. Btw, I LOOOOVE Bride & Prejudice! So much! :)

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    1. Bride & Prejudice is the stuff! I loved that movie! My daughter told me to watch the Kiera Knightly version. I don't know, I think you may have convinced me to just watch the movie. But, thanks for the hilarious commentary. I giggled and smile as I read your comment.

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  17. I haven't read the original and I won't specifically read books because they are a re-telling but of the ones I enjoyed there's usually a lot of banter between two smart characters who can go toe to toe and that's what draws me in. I'm a sucker for banter & hate to love.

    Karen @ For What It's Worth

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    1. I am the same way. Something being taunted as a retelling does not automatically make me want to read it. Hate to love is a fun trope and add a smart and sassy heroine, and I guess I can understand some of the draw to P&P, but I have also seen those same things in plenty of contemporary works

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  18. Pride & Prejudice is over rated. It's fine, but it's not really any better than any of Austen's other works. I personally think Sense & Sensibility, Emma, and Mansfield Park are all better. I think maybe part of why bookish people get *so* bonkers about P&P is because Elizabeth Bennet is a booknerd, and they are booknerds, so the sassy booknerd readers go bananas for a sassy booknerd heroine. That's my best theory.

    Definitely give it a read if you have the time and inclination, but if you're only going to choose one Austen book then choose Sense & Sensibility instead. Or watch the movie version with Alan Rickman in it. I like the movie version of P&P with Kiera Knightly just fine, but if you're willing to sit through the long ass mini series or whatever with Colin Firth that's the wet T-shirt iconic one that everyone is always going all swoony over (which the wet shirt thing isn't actually in the book, so if you're looking for some of what the retellings are pulling from, it's actually the movie version with Colin Firth, not the book anyway). Also, the movie version of Emma with Gwenyth Paltrow. Oooh, and the version of Northanger Abbey with Felicity Jones. I found some of the books easier to read after seeing the movie versions, because then you've got a basic grasp of the plot and characters and it's easier to visualize them and keep them all straight in your head. :) Good luck!!

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    1. I love this comment. ❤ so much truth, honesty, and information. I think you may be onto something with the book nerd think

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  19. It's been ages since I've read this or seen it (and the one you used from the gif is my favorite). :)

    Thanks for visiting my blog earlier.

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    1. Don't worry, there are a million retellings for you to read if you want.

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  20. I'm (again) a little late to this post but I strongly recommend at least checking out the film if you don't read the book. I agree, reading the original isn't necessary for such a well known classic because you know the story but I do think it helps you appreciate the retellings that bit more if you do know the original. I would watch the BBC adaptation if nothing else. The Keira Knightley film is lovely but it's just missing details and we all deserve a wet Colin Firth emerging from a lake in our lives.

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    1. I do agree, that being familiar with the source material helps when reading a retelling. Confession - I have sought out spark notes for retellings, when I had not read the original. Colin Firth may be winning.

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  21. I finally read P&P a couple of years ago. It was pretty good but not life-changing or anything. Still, I'm glad I read it just because I feel like the story is so prevalent in the reading community.

    Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction

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    1. I am glad to hear that from you. I feel like, if I do take the time and read it, I will end up underwhelmed. This will leave me in a funk. I am terrible at battling the hype monster.

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