My Favorite Jane Austen Adaptations and Retellings

Sponsored by St. Martin's Press

In celebration of THE JANE AUSTEN SOCIETY by Natalie Jenner (coming May 26!), I'm talking about all of my favorite adaptations & retellings of Jane Austen's work

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Books Mentioned:

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[breeunabashedly]

I remember learning that Clueless was a Jane Austen retelling and being like NO WAY! I love that it made the list!

[katerbi]

I highly recommend Sanditon TV show. It's based on Jane Austens last unfinished novel. And it's just amazing. Great cast, storyline, music. Thrilling story.

[kcomay]

I'm so glad you shouted out The Lizzie Bennet Diaries. It is so underrated! I admit I was skeptical of the format at first but the series was amazing. Truly one of the best P&P adaptations, and probably the best modern adaptation.

[elenathegreat]

I'm glad that you got asked to do a promo for this book!I really want to read it! Love the S&S movie - Emma Thompson is fantastic in it. That scene at the end when she bursts into tears is just 👌 ugh i love it

[davidlove]

My favorite Austen adaptation is the movie “Bride and Prejudice”. It tales place in India. The Bennets are Indian, the Bingleys are British, and the Darcys are American. You have the misunderstandings that happen not only because of interpersonal communication but also people from different cultures coming together. My favorite aspect of the movie is that it’s a blend of Western cinema and Bollywood. Just thinking about it makes me want to go watch it now!

[virginiafernandes]

Alan Rickman as Coronel Brandon is just: perfection. This movie is the all time best JA adaptation.

[booksvsmovies]

I'm very much an Austen noob. I've read Pride and Prejudice twice and while I can appreciate the quality of the writing and loved the romance, I found it difficult to fully immerse myself in early 1800 social norms. However, I watched the 2005 adaptation of the book and fell completely in love with the story. Seeing the story play out on screen helped me truly connect with it in a way I didn't when reading the book. I loved how well it depicted class stratification and how it conveyed the enormity of Lydia's elopement. Being able to hear the exact tone and cadence of dialogue helped immensely in tracking the tension of scenes. I know it's not everybody's favourite but I adore it with my whole being. Watching that film and finally /getting/ Jane Austen emotionally has really motivated me to read more of her works.

[heathergroves]

I read Longbourne at the end of last year. I loved it. It's an adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, but from the servants' vantage point. My favourite Jane Austen book and movie are both Persuasion. (The movie with Kieran Hind).

[ammmr]

My favourite movie adaptation is Persuasion with Sally Hawkins (2007). I've seen it... well too many times to count. Sally was amazing in it. Highly recommended it to everyone!
On the other hand I'm yet to read retelling I like...

[thiadesg]

My favourite adaptation is the 2009 Emma with Romola Garai and Jonny Lee Miller. I have not yet seen the newest Emma, and I kind of don't want to spoil that perfection, although I heard great things about it, you know?

[billyjustus]

I think, in these times, we can all go for a comfortable read. Adding this one to the list for sure. Also, it appears Richard Armitage is doing the audiobook, so double bonus!

[priscillareads]

I’m pumped to read this! The YouTube Lizzie Bennet diaries was so funny.

[shannon]

Yay! I watched the Lizzie Bennet Diaries for the first time this year and I loved it. I am actually reading Pride and Prejudice for the first time right now. Next I plan on reading Emma and Persuasion. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies the movie is a guilty pleasure lol. Love your eye shadow btw.

[pippajackson]

I would never have heard of UNEQUAL AFFECTION if you hadn’t recommended it, and I’m so grateful. I loved it much

[kimberlybigler]

I think my favorite adaptation is the BBC Andrew Davies Sense and Sensibility. I love everything about it. The actors and the scenery. I've watched it so many times.

[stdwynwen]

There are also some Austen book retellings by Sarah Price set in Amish country: 'First Impressions' (P&P), 'Second Chances' (Persuasion) and 'The Matchmaker' (Emma). I enjoyed them very much. One of my favorite BBC miniseries adaptions would have to be 'Emma' with Jonny Lee Miller as Mr. Knightly - just wonderful. Along with the youtube webseries you mentioned there was also 'Emma Approved' which was just great.

[LienesLibrary]

I love this video idea! also while this book sounds so charming, you have me wanting to read Guernsey Potato Peal book!
The new Emma is probably my favorite Austen adaptation, closely followed by Love and Friendship, both are exceptional 👌
I so love Sense and Sensibility - have you seen Emma Thompson's award acceptance speech for that film? she did it kind of in character as Jane Austen 😅
PS: I think Love and Friendship is an adaptation of Lady Susan, it's not a different story...?

[astoldb]

Clueless is one of my all-time favorite movies ever <3

[fenellaevangela]

This video was perfect for me; P&P retellings/continuations are one of my favourite niche genres! For modern retellings, I really liked how Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld changed aspects of the story to make it fit the different context. I thought the author's take on Wickham was a clever choice, for example. There's also Vanity and Vexation by Kate Fenton which, while not really to my taste, uses an interesting literary device that makes it worth a read imo.


Right now I'm actually rereading another retelling set during the canon timeline. It's called Gay Pride and Prejudice, by Kate Christie, and tells the story of P&P but with several of the characters (including Elizabeth) as gay. It tries to show a reasonably accurate picture of queer life at the time, but it does have a happy ending!

[AM-tkpk]

Just finished Heartstone - it was fantastic 😀 Thanks for the recommendation!