10 Novels Inspired by the Greats

My favorite class in college was my Shakespeare class. I'm that odd duck who didn't struggle too much in understanding Ye Olde English in junior high, much to my classmates' hatred. My favorite Shakespeare play is King Lear, followed closely by The Merchant of Venice.

And like most intelligent people, Jane Austen is who I aspire to be. I love how she wrote about the relationships between people in her society. I loved her books even more when I found out that the people she was criticizing in her books were her biggest fans.

So, in honor of the Greats, here are some of my favorite retellings or inspired. And in case you're like me and only like certain stories from Austen or Shakespeare, I'll list them all out so you can cherry-pick. 

1. Secret of the Sonnets by Samantha Hastings

Unless you are a die-hard Shakespeare fan, you might not know about the great authorship question. Many believe Shakespeare may not be the real author of his plays, though the majority of believers are from outside the academic world. The most popular theory is that Sir Francis Bacon was the true author, but there's a short list of others.

Samantha Hastings presents her authorship theory in Secret of the Sonnets, a regency romance with a delightful mystery backing the entire plot. While we might never know who truly wrote Shakespeare's plays, Secret of the Sonnets will no doubt pull you into these harmless conspiracy theories too.

2. My Wild Heart by Martha Keyes

Much Ado About Nothing gets an update to a regency romance in My Wild Heart; the language is still old compared to now, but at least it's easier to understand than Shakespearean English.

Edith and Elias are sworn enemies until they overhear that the other might be in love with them. While each does not initially believe this rumor, it has made their interactions far from graceful. And their friends didn't count on the love Edith and Elias have for practical jokes, but will the payback help or hurt all involved?

Martha Keyes started on Kindle Unlimited, but I've started seeing her books in public libraries. I hope you love her as much as I do!

3. A Little Ado About Love by Emily Childs

If you struggle to love the antics of Much Ado About Nothing, you might give this book a try.

Main characters Elle and Axel used to love each other, but toxic relationships and fickle hearts got in the way. Set in a modern-day small town, A Little Ado About Love gives you the basis of Shakespeare's play but the attitudes of more mature love interests in a second-chance romance.

While not a perfect translation, I think you'll love this enough to want to watch the movie at least :-)

4. Letters to Juliet by Lise and Ceil Friedman

I know, I know, this is technically a non-fiction book, but I promise you it's worth it, especially if you loved the movie by the same name.

The cute wall found in the movie Verona is nothing compared to the real Juliet Club sanctioned by the city. But the volunteers do answer back every single letter Juliet receives. 

Even the truckloads.

Letters to Juliet features over 50 letters received by the Juliet Club. And after you buy the book, you might as well buy your plane ticket. We've got to go and see this place.

5. Matchmaker's Match by Brittany Larsen

Much as I love Shakespeare, he'll never be able to dethrone the true queen. 

Jane Austen's Emma has been retold numerous times, and her story continues to fascinate me. Emma isn't exactly a loveable character... mainly because she reminds me too much of myself. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to be the perfect book heroine, but I'm too imperfect and annoying to play that role. Luckily, so is Emma, which is why the book gives me hope for my future!

Matchmaker's Match is a beautiful contemporary retelling of Jane Austen's classic. It's a perfect beach read for the summer, but also a perfect anytime read like its inspiration.

6. Pride's Prejudice by Misty Dawn Pulsipher

Reading with my editor's eye, this book has some issues; the spelling and grammar leave something to be desired. But the fact that I'm recommending it means that the chemistry between the characters is incredible. And no editor could condemn an author with that gift.

Pride's Prejudice begins on a Wyoming college campus where Beth Pride is attending a charity auction. Unfortunately, William Darcy is forced there too by his house-flipping friend, and Will is already in a rotten mood. Fireworks ensue and we're off!

And you probably won't put it down until you've finished.

I love Misty Pulsipher's Pride because she gives us more of a look into Darcy's life, especially his sister's. Georgianna's story is such a catalyst for Darcy, and I think Misty incorporated her into the plot seamlessly. 

The steam in this book is high, but it remains closed-door and respectable enough to give to your mother. You'll love it so much you'll have to watch all the Pride and Prejudice movies.

What a bummer, huh?

7. Dear Mr. Darcy by Amanda Grange

The day my library's copy of Dear Mr. Darcy fell apart, I held a small funeral by the recycling bin. Please observe a moment of silence with me and then extend it into a reading session.

Dear Mr. Darcy abandons the normal narrative and instead presents the entire story in letters. The genius of this move means we get to know what was happening to Mr. Darcy years before he meets Elizabeth, which also means we learn more about the dastardly Mr. Wickham.

But even better, we get to see the ridiculous turmoil that Elizabeth sets off in Mr. Darcy and the love he feels for her in return.

8. Prom and Prejudice by Elizabeth Eulberg

I'm gonna say it. Young Adult books are often better than adult.

Sue me. You'll get, like, two bucks.

Prom and Prejudice is set in a private high school, just before prom season begins. It was an ingenious move on Elizabeth Eulbergs part; how else do you replicate the regency snobbery in a contemporary world? Will Darcy, while still stand-offish, is not as hard to like as his counterpart. He's a little more human and forgivable. And the way he loves Lizzie? Your teenage daughter will be swooning, and hopefully she'll go after a boy like him.

Fingers crossed for you.

9. I'm Not Charlotte Lucas by Kasey Stockton

Elizabeth Bennett will always be my favorite, but there's a special place in my heart reserved for Charlotte Lucas. Who of us hasn't felt like we're backed into a corner and need to settle to get any traction in life?

Now, hopefully, none of us are forced to choose the Mr. Collins of the world, but Kasey Stockton spins a beautiful tale of what happens when you think Mr. Collins is all you deserve.

But when you get a shot at a Mr. Darcy chance, are you brave enough to take it?

10. Marvel Illustrated Sense and Sensibility by Nancy Butler

The first time I read a comic book, it was for a college class. I never thought I'd like them, but now I stop and glance through them whenever I shelve them at the library.

Jane Austen's writing is crazy good, but also crazy hard to understand. Marvel's comic version of Sense and Sensibility blends the context of pictures with Austen's words in a most diverting way.

You might even get the men in your life interested in Austen this way.

Grab your cup of tea. And Happy Reading!

*All links are simply links, I don't get any money if you click them. I just want to make finding great stories as easy as possible for you!*

Read Also:

6 Picture Books About Practically Perfect Women

6 Middle-Grade Books About the Olympics

Just Edited: DIMENSIONS by Sadie Sanchez

Want to work with me? Schedule a free editing consultation with Maren! You're bound to leave with a novel idea...

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