Okay, so I finally read Pride and Prejudice, and I really enjoyed it. I don’t know if it changed my life or anything, but I can see why people love this book so much. It’s just sort of an institution in itself, isn’t it? Well, now that I’ve read the book, I want to check out some of the MANY Pride and Prejudice related shows, books, etc. But there are so many, and I don’t know what’s good.
So, this is where I need you Austenites – What do I need to watch and/or read? Which is the best movie version of P&P? What other books and movies should I check out – modern retellings, etc?
I have read one book – Finding Mr. Darcy: High School Edition, and it was fun, but a little too … high school. Now I want more!
Oh, and I’ve also watched quite a few episodes of the web series The Lizzie Bennet Diaries. Each episode is only a few minutes long and I just marathoned them one day. I haven’t gotten through all 102 episodes yet, but I’ve loved the ones I’ve watched so far! If you haven’t seen this series yet, you should check it out!
So, give me your other recommendations. Oh, and let me know what Austen novel I should read next!
Anybody else out there behind on the classics like I am? Feel free to commiserate with me in the comments!
You’re a step ahead of me, Nicole, because I have NOT read Pride and Prejudice. So, I can’t really weigh-in on your question, but I’ll be checking my inbox for follow-up comments today’s post because I’m curious! I have to start somewhere, and adding another title to my TBR is daunting, but a movie would be do-able.
Glad I’m not the only one who isn’t up on all their classics. I read the ones that were assigned in high school, along with a few extras that I was interested in then, but really haven’t picked up a classic as an adult (except for some kids/MG ones that I’m reading with my kids, who I homeschool). Hope you get lots of good ideas from this post – sounds like the BBC miniseries is the favorite so far!
I haven’t read Pride & Prejudice, but I have watched all of the Lizzie Bennett Diaries and have read a Manga of Pride & Prejudice. And I loved both. So maybe I should read the original soon 🙂
But I’ve heard there’s an actual Lizzie Bennett Diary published that is based on the YouTube show, so maybe you will want to read that.
Oh, yes – I think you’re right. There’s a book that goes along with the YouTube show – I’ll bet it’s lots of fun!
I haven’t managed to get through the book yet, but I did watch the BBC serialised costume drama featuring Colin Firth and it was fabulous!!! It did help me to make sense of the half of the book I did get through lol also, have heard good things about the Kiera Knightly adaptation, but I’d watch the BBC one first as it’s considered the best!
Sounds like the BBC version is the one to watch! I didn’t even know it existed, so I’m definitely glad I asked!
Jane-ites rave over the BBC miniseries with Colin Firth. They HATE the Keira Knightly version. They pretend it doesn’t exist.
Lost in Austen is a super fun retelling of the story. I think it’s streaming on Netflix.
Oooh! I have Netflix, so I’ll definitely have to check out Lost in Austen! See, I’m glad you said that about the Keira Knightly version because I probably would have checked that out first (if I wasn’t asking for suggestions) because I would just think, “Well, it’s the most recent.” I actually didn’t even know there was a miniseries. 🙂
Bridget Jones Diary is fun, as is the book version of Austenland!
I actually have seen Bridget Jones (years ago), but had no idea that it was based on P&P. I’ll have to watch it again with fresh eyes. And Austenland is one that I’ve heard of (but couldn’t think of) – perfect suggestions. Thanks!
The Lizzie Bennett Diaries is amazing! So is Bridget Jones’s Diary. If you are looking something different Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is great and the perfect gory read for Halloween. As for other Jane Austen novels I actually prefer Sense and Sensibility which has a similar kind of romance but the characters are a little more likable so maybe check that one out. Glad you loved P&P!
P&P and Zombies would be perfect for me – I’ll definitely have to check that one out! I actually didn’t realize that Bridget Jones Diary was at all based on P&P – I’ve seen it, but it’s been a very long time, so I think I’ll watch it again.
I will definitely check out S&S – similar romance with more likable characters sounds perfect. I didn’t absolutely adore all of the characters (including Mr. Darcy) the way that some people do, but I thought that might have just been me. 🙂
I can’t comment yet as I haven’t finished the book, but the characters that weren’t overly likable in the book come across as much more so in the BBC show, especially Darcy… swoon! 🙂
P&P is one of my favorite novels. Perhaps my very favorite. I adore Elizabeth and her refusal to reduce herself to the lowest common denominator of marriage material. She’s a feminist and a dreamer and a badass in a time when a women couldn’t afford to be any of those. But she makes it work.
My favorite film adaptation is the Keira Knightley version. I think the humor shines in this one, and it makes me giggle no matter how many time I watch it. Which is a lot. They even managed to sharpen a couple of the iconic punchlines.
I did enjoy Death Comes to Pemberley, which is a whodunnit spin on the characters of P&P. Of course it cannot touch the wit and wonderfulness of Jane Austen, but I did enjoy the chance to hang out with the characters a little bit and wonder at what their lives would have been like after the end of P&P.
I haven’t heard of Death Comes to Pemberley – I’ll definitely have to check that one out. And I’m glad to hear that you enjoyed the Keira Knightley version. One commentor said that most die-hard P&P fans weren’t crazy about it – but it’s the one I”d be most likely to gravitate toward on my own. I think I will check out the BBC miniseries too, though! 🙂
I did thoroughly enjoy P&P, but I’d have to say that Emma is my favorite Austen book. Sense & Sensibility agitated me. I felt like she matched up the wrong couples. I didn’t read P&P until right after falling in love with the movie (Kiera’s version). Having gone that route, I prefer that movie. I have watched both. For the most part I think those that grew up watching Colin Firth enjoy that movie best, and those that didn’t prefer Kiera’s version.
Hmmmm … You’ve definitely given me something to think about. My instinct would have been to start with Keira’s version, so maybe that’s still the way to go. Hopefully I’ll watch both eventually. 🙂
I love Pride & Prejudice (or any Jane Austen novel for that matter)! My mom is also a huge fan, so together we collect screen adaptations. The amount of Jane Austen movies we have is ridiculous, haha! My favorite is defenitely the BBC mini series with Colin Firth. I do love the movie with Keira Knightley as well, but I personally feel like it has a little less depth to it and is more of a feel good movie that I watch when I need some cheering up.
If you want to read another Jane Austen novel, I would recommend Emma. I might have enjoyed it even more than P&P, just like Alison.
I also read P&P and zombies some years ago. I do not remember to much about it, but I didn’t care much for it. It is pretty much the exact same story, although less funny and now and then a random zombie attack is added. I do like some zombie books, but here it felt a little out of place and it didn’t add anything to the story, not even did it make it funnier.
Hmm … good feedback on P&P Zombies. I might still check it out just for the fun of it, but I’ll temper my expectations. Thanks for weighing in on the movies too!
Put these on your watch list in this order:
1. P&P BBC tv series (with Colin Firth)
2. Lost in Austen tv series – you will appreciate the inside jokes if you watch P&P with Colin first
Thanks for the order – see, this is why I asked. Invaluable information from the people who know!
1. Want another Austen book? Persuasion should definitely be your next one on the list. It’s not hate to love the way P&P…but it’s all longing and has hands down the best confession of ALL. TIME. It’s also generally most people’s favourite or second favourite (Pretty much P&P and Persuasion dominate as far as Austen’s books go)
2. Want something like P&P? North and South – which is both a book and a four episode miniseries on Netflix is totally in the same vein. And ohmygod if you didn’t think Richard Armitage was crazy sexy before this I PROMISE you it will change your mind. I am super crazy in love with the miniseries – I haven’t read the book yet, so I can’t make any promises on that front.
I remember hearing about North and South awhile back, but I didn’t really know much about it. I’ll definitely have to check it out! Thanks! And I have to confess that Persuasion wasn’t even on my radar, so thanks for that too!
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I recently finished “A Touch of Night” by Sofie Skapski and Sarah A. Hoyt. Which is basically Pride & Prejudice with were-creatures. *laughs* Was kind of skeptical that it would be good, even though I love Pride and Prejudice, and I generally like lycanthropes.
But it stayed fairly true to the book, and integrated the were-animals well. There were a number of funny moments, and it even has a were-DRAGON!
So, that’s my recommendation for your TBR book pile.
Oooh! I definitely want to read that one!! That sounds like too much fun!