The most popular of all of Jane Austen’s novels, Pride and Prejudice is a tremendously adored piece of English literature that has stolen the heart of millions.
Austen is well-known for her writing style–filled with irony, wit, sarcasm, and dry humor–along with her romantic comedy novels which take place in 18th-century London and usually follow the lives of the headstrong protagonists as they experience life in the middle-class.
If you’re reading this article then you must be on the hunt for a novel as poignant and unforgettable as Austen’s to go on your bookshelf.
Whether you’re a long-time fan and avid reader of Jane Austen’s work or just now diving into the romantic era of literature, this article will cover a variety of remarkable novels that are sure to make you feel as giddy, awestruck, and totally entranced as Austen’s! Keep reading to find your new favorite book!
About Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Published in 1813, Pride and Prejudice is a novel written by the extraordinary Jane Austen. The novel is set in 18th-century England, in the fictitious town of Hertfordshire, and centers around the Bennett family–particularly the five daughters: Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, Kitty, and Lydia.
The Bennett family is considered middle class; all the daughters are expected to marry well to ensure economic gain and a rise in societal status. The novel explores the pressures placed on women by society to marry for wealth and status, along with exploring themes of prejudice, love, class, and misjudgment.
The novel is well-known for its loveable and realistic characters, along with its witty and satirical commentary on society in 18th-century England. Considered to be an important work of English literature, Pride and Prejudice takes a look at the tension between the desire for personal freedom and the pressure to succumb to outside expectations.
One of the main takeaways from the novel is the danger of judging other people based on first impressions, class distinctions, and societal prejudices. The story also explores the importance of personal growth and overcoming biases.
Considered by many to be a feminist novel, Pride and Prejudice challenges the conventions of its time–particularly those surrounding the role of women and marriage. This is an incredible feat for a piece of literature written in the 1800s and is one of the many reasons why Pride and Prejudice is so beloved today.
The 20 Best Books Like Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice
Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy by Sharon Lathan
If you can’t find it in yourself to let go of the Pride and Prejudice characters just yet, you might be interested in reading the continuation of the infamous novel! Mr. and Mrs. FitzwilliamDarcy provides a more in-depth look at the beloved characters from the original story and allows us to see them settle into their new life together.
Also inspired by Pride and Prejudice, An Assembly Such as This is the first book in a trilogy entitled Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman.
The novel is a retelling of Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, but from the perspective of the novel’s hero, Fitzwilliam Darcy, and gives readers a more detailed perspective on Darcy’s thoughts and feelings throughout the story. You can find An Assembly Such as This here.
Longbourn by Jo Baker
If you’re interested in another alternate perspective of the events that took place in Pride and Prejudice, you’ll love Longbourn, which follows the daily lives and romantic pursuits of the servants; housemaid Sarah, the housekeeper–and cook–Mrs. Hill, and the footman, James. You can find Longbourn here.
Emma by Jane Austen
For those looking to delve a little deeper into Jane Austen’s other work, this book is a great place to start! Like a lot of Austen’s novels, Emma critiques social biases and prejudice while exploring the societal norms of its time.
Following the lives of two sisters, Elinor (known for her sense and practicality) and Marianne Dashwood (known for her passion and sensibility), Sense and Sensibility is another of Jane Austen’s must-read novels. After losing their estate to a distant relative, the Dashwood family is forced to move to a smaller home in Devonshire. It is there that each of the sisters meets and falls in love with their significant others.
Elinor falls in love with Edward Ferrars, a man who is already engaged to another woman, and Marianne falls in love with John Willoughby, a man whom their family deems to be unsuitable for Marianne.
The two sisters are forced to navigate their tumultuous relationships as they learn the importance of balancing sense and sensibility. You can find Sense and Sensibility here.
Persuasion by Jane Austen
Another classic regency romance, Persuasion tells the story of the 27-year-old protagonist, Anne Elliot, and her beau, Captain Frederick Wentworth, who find themselves reunited eight years after Anne’s family had persuaded her not to marry him due to his lack of wealth.
The two of them find themselves still drawn to each other, but they are hesitant to reveal their true feelings after their heartbreaking past. The second chance romance is another of Austen’s novels that challenge societal norms. You can find Persuasion here.
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Published in 1868, Little Women is a coming-of-age novel much like Pride and Prejudice. One of the most prominent similarities between the two novels is the fact that they each follow the lives and relationships of a close-knit family.
In Little Women, it’s the four March sisters–Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy–whom we observe as they go through their daily lives and navigate the transposition from childhood to adulthood. Set in 1860s Massachusetts, the book explores the push and pull between financial stability and love with much of the same satire, wit, and social commentary as Jane Austen did in Pride and Prejudice. You can find Little Women here.
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Jane Eyre is perfect for fans of gothic fiction! This coming-of-age story centers around the main character, an orphaned girl named Jane Eyre, and her love interest, Mr. Rochester, as they face various obstacles.
With its gloomy setting, mysterious characters, haunted mansions, and secret marriages, Jane Eyre makes for the perfect romance mystery! You can find Jane Eyre here.
The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton
Set in New York City during the Gilded Age, The House of Mirth tells the story of Lily Bart, a beautiful young woman from a respectable, but financially struggling family as she moves through the social circles of New York, determined to secure a wealthy husband to rise in the social hierarchy.
From romantic entanglements to financial difficulties and through the search for identity, the novel shows all of Lily’s struggles and explores the dangers of materialism. You can find The House of Mirth here.
The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton
Another social novel bound to have your eyes glued to the page throughout the whole story, The Age of Innocence is a story of unrequited love, the sacrifice of happiness for the sake of others, and the consequences of poor decision-making.
When an already engaged aristocratic lawyer by the name of Newland Archer falls in love with his fiancé’s recently separated cousin, Countess Ellen Olenska, his world is turned completely upside down. The heartbreaking novel is sure to appeal to anyone who happens to be a fan of angst! You can find The Age of Innocence here.
The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde
Once a play and now a paperback, The Importance of Being Earnest is a satirical comedy of manners that sees two friends, Jack Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff, adopt false identities to escape their mundane lives.
Jack and Algernon find themselves in a series of chaotic events as they try to maintain their lies while also trying to win over the women they love. You can find The Importance of Being Earnest here.
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
This philosophical novel takes place in 1886 Victorian London and follows the main character, Dorian Gray, who sells his soul for eternal youth and beauty. Dorian is given a portrait of himself and wishes that the portrait could age instead of him, so he can remain forever young and handsome.
When his wish is granted, the portrait reveals the true ugliness of his soul even as he experiences a life of great vanity, pleasure, and sin. You can find The Picture of Dorian Gray here.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Set in the Jazz Age on Long Island, near New York City, The Great Gatsby is considered to be a classic of modernist literature.
The book tells the tragic story of the self-made millionaire, Jay Gatsby, who throws extravagant parties in hopes of winning back his former lover, Daisy Buchanan, though his love of Daisy is what ultimately leads to his downfall. If you’re interested in reading another classic social commentary, you can find The Great Gatsby here.
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
Both coming-of-age novels that take a look at the struggles that come along with growing up, despite belonging to different genres and being set in different periods, Pride and Prejudice and The Catcher in the Rye are two books that complement each other incredibly well.
The Catcher in the Rye takes place over the course of two days after the protagonist, Holden Caulfield, has been expelled from prep school and follows him on his journey to make sense of the expectations placed on people during the 1950s. You can find The Catcher in the Rye here.
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
This acclaimed regional fiction novel takes place in the antebellum South during the 1840s and tells the story of Huckleberry Finn, a young boy who runs away from his abusive father and goes on a journey down the Mississippi River with a runaway slave named Jim.
The story explores themes of racism, freedom, and the line between the individual versus society as the main character goes against societal norms in favor of befriending a runaway slave. You can find The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn here.
Sylvester or The Wicked Uncle by Georgette Heyer
Back to the genre of regency romance, Sylvester or The Wicked Uncle is known for its witty dialogue and attention to historical detail. Phoebe Marlow is sent to stay with her uncle, the Duke of Salford, Sylvester, after her father’s death.
Phoebe is afraid of her uncle at first but soon discovers that he is not as bad as she had once believed. The two begin to develop feelings for each other and must navigate the societal expectations that stand to keep them apart. You can find Sylvester or The Wicked Uncle here.
Unmarriageable by Soniah Kamal
A relatively new novel published in 2019, Unmarriageable is billed as “Pride and Prejudice in Pakistan” and picks up Austen’s wry and witty writing style.
Set in present-day Pakistan, the contemporary romance sees Alys Binat–a spirited girl living in a small town–and her four sisters’ journey as the Binats struggle to find suitable matches for their five unmarried daughters. You can find Unmarriageable here.
Ayesha at Last by Uzma Jalaluddin
Another recent Pride and Prejudice-inspired novel with a modern twist, Ayesha at Last is set in Toronto, Canada, and follows Ayesha, a young Muslim woman who is struggling to find her place in the world.
Ayesha tries to balance her personal wants and beliefs with the expectations of her community, juggling between her Muslim heritage and her Canadian upbringing as she experiences a forbidden love. You can find Ayesha at Last here.
Pride and Protest by Nikki Payne
Published in November of 2022, Pride and Protest is a relevant retelling of Pride and Prejudice that would make for an interesting read and would certainly resonate with any young adult in today’s day in age, especially POC. The summary speaks for itself–“Liza wants Dorsey Fitzgerald out of her hood, but she’ll settle for getting him out of her head.
At first, Dorsey writes off Liza Bennett as more interested in performing outrage than acting on it. As the adopted Filipino son of a wealthy white family, he’s always felt a bit out of place and knows a fraud when he sees one. But when Liza’s protest results in a viral meme, their lives are turned upside down.” You can find Pride and Protest here.
The Story of Lizzy and Darcy by Grace Watson
Another recent adaptation, The Story of Lizzy and Darcy is a lesbian retelling of Pride and Prejudice that couldn’t be left off the list! Upon first meeting, there is an instant dislike between Lizzy Bennet and Darcy Williams, but they soon start to see a different side to one another. You can find The Story of Lizzy and Darcy here.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re looking for a social novel, regency romance, inspiring coming-of-age story, or heartbreaking gothic love story, hopefully, this article has helped to ensure that your next read will be everything you were looking for and more!
FAQs
Is Pride and Prejudice hard to read?
It can be challenging for people who aren’t accustomed to the language and style of writing used in the 18th century. References to historical and cultural context, formal language, and complex sentence structures are used throughout the novel.
What is the moral lesson of Pride and Prejudice?
Don’t judge a book by its coWhat is the most famous line in Pride and Prejudice?ver, or by societal prejudices.
What is the most famous line in Pride and Prejudice?
“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.” This is the first line of the novel, and arguably, the most famous.
Why is it called Pride and Prejudice?
The title sums up the theme of the novel. The characters are prideful in some ways and prejudice in others.
Is Pride and Prejudice feminist?
It depends on who you ask. Some consider it to be a feminist novel because the female characters are portrayed as smart, strong, and independent women who refuse to conform to societal expectations.
Others believe it is not a feminist novel because it describes marriage as the greatest ambition for a woman to have and because it can be seen as more of a satirical novel than a feminist novel.
Tia has been writing since she first learned how to spell. A shy kid turned introverted adult, she’s been using books as a way to express herself for as long as she can remember. Whether building her own intricate worlds and crafting kooky characters of her own or diving into the captivating universes created by other authors, Tia’s passion for books always manifests itself in some way. When she isn’t reading or writing, she can be found studying Korean, watching anime, maladaptive daydreaming, or losing her mind over BTS with her best friends.
