Discussion Post

;the jane austen project

bookworm things

There might actually be a Thing online with this title, but hey, this is my version of a Jane Austen project! And by that I mean I’m attempting to make my way through all of her novels.

A few years ago, I was given a collection of Jane Austen novels as a present. I was super excited about it! But somehow, I’ve still only read Pride & Prejudice, and that too, because it was one of my English Literature texts.

the jane austen project

I am currently reading Persuasion, slowly, but also I have read a lot of P&P fanfiction over the years, and today, I’m going to talk about some of my favourite Austen inspired works*. These are almost all Mary Bennet centric, as I’ve grown very fond of her character over the years. There’s something about the lack of character building in her case that speaks to the writer in me. There are so many options for her story…

*Read these fanfictions, you guys, I’ve linked them for a reason!

austen bookmark

  • The Many Lies Of Mary Bennet by kathy5
    The story of Mary Bennet as she reaches 25 years old and finally sets her plan into motion – travelling to London – and her debut into London society.
    I love the way this story is built. Mary is so different from what we see in the source material, and yet at the same time, so much the same. It is built and written so well.
  • Chrysalis by Cindy C.
    Mary Bennet slowly begins to develop into a more confident young lady and to take an interest in the young men around her.
    A sweet story about Mary coming into herself. I can read all sorts of stories about this, but this is one of my favourites.
  • The Odd Duck’s Quest by Sempre libera
    Follow Mary Bennet in her quest to discover her true self, as unlikely friendships are formed, tentative romances occur, and matchmaking attempts run wild. Also featuring Kitty, and minor Austenian heroines.
    I have lost count of how many times I have read this. There are a number of lines in here that always leave me breathless. The romance develops so well, and the friendships are so heartwarming. I might do a re-read soon.
  • The Cliffs Of Hertfordshire by WadeH
    It turns out that Mary Bennet does not care for being publicly humiliated by her father at the Netherfield Ball, and her reaction has far-reaching consequences. This story is moderately high angst, has a pretty bad beginning for the Bennets, and a long road to happiness., but it is several adventure stories in one along with the occasional bit of romance.
    The one fic on the list that is not solely revolving around Mary, but still a very good read. The characters are written well, the relationships develop pretty decently. This author has some really good works that I enjoy, some of them more hilarious than the others.
  • The Last Miss Bennet by LJ Summers
    Mary Bennet, we read in Pride and Prejudice, lived a less secluded life after the marriages of her sisters. Did she rusticate a spinster forever? I choose to say she did not. Here, then, is a happy ending of two sorts for Mary Bennet.
    A sweet little one-shot about Mary finding her happy ending a little later than her sisters did. Do I wish it could be longer? Most definitely. But it’s sweet and well-written and believable for Mary.
  • Miss Mary Bennet, Spinster by Mrs. Brownloe
    Life has a way of not turning out as one has planned. The story of Miss Mary Bennet the last of the Bennet girls.
    This one-shot makes me feel for how invisible Mary must have felt in her house. Despite being only just the one chapter, it tugs at heartstrings and makes you fall in love with the characters very quickly. I only wish there was more.
  • Borrowed Time by Peapods
    She may be the one girl in all the world, but Mary Bennet has never really gotten much acknowledgment.This one is a crossover with Buffy The Vampire Slayer, and man, I’d love a longer fanfiction on this concept.

There are so many other fanfictions with Mary as the focus, but alas, most of them are abandoned or updated so sparsely I have to re-read them from the beginning to remember the story. There are also a number of novels, ebooks and otherwise, that I am planning to make my way through, so maybe someday I will do a part 2 of this post.

What are your Austen views? Have you read any works inspired by her, and if so, which one is your favourite?

ara

I’m Ara, a Southeast Asian writer who someday hopes to have published a novel, and who is currently losing herself in the worlds created by others. I love books and food and television and blogging and I get distracted and sidetracked easily.

4 Comments

  • Olivia-Savannah

    I only read one ship for fanfiction so I don’t read any other fandom – but I love that you made a list of your favourite fanfics! Maybe I should do a post like this one…

  • Gayathri Lakshminarayanan

    I have started reading Persuasion too. Such a great coincident and unsurprisingly I am reading it slowly as well.

    • Ara

      Wow, what a coincidence! I’ve heard good things about it, but I’ve been reading other things at the same time so taking my time with it, haha.

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