Special: For the Love of Regency

We realized pretty quickly that we had NO IDEA what we were talking about with Spank Me, Mr. Darcy by Lissa Trever. None of us here at What The Smut had even read the original. We knew we needed some serious help! Enter Adrienne the Librarian, a long-time friend of Kandy's a brilliant librarian, and a Jane Austen SUPERFAN that loves Pride and Prejudice.

Adrienne shared her experience with Pride and Prejudice, talked about Jane Austen like she is an old friend, shared what she would have been reading herself, discussed some of the customs and fashions of the regency period, and then gave you the BEST mostest Librarianest ever pile of book recommendations. All of which are linked below!

What would Jane read? Pride and Prejudice inspiration

The Gothic novel like The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole was all the rage back in Jane's day. You can see the influence in her gothic satire Northanger Abbey. Clarissa: Or the History of a Young Lady by Samuel Richardson which is the story of a young woman that escapes a marriage she doesn't want and ends up a sex slave. The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling by Henry Fielding which is a bawdy adventure in which a young man strikes out to the city.

 

What would Elizabeth Bennet wear?

As Adrienne pointed out and we have no doubt noted through the bajillions of Austen movies. Corsets were not really the thing during the Regency period. I found the idea that women would wet the inner layer of fabric on the dress amazing so I wanted more! I found two great online articles and one amazing book. First, check out Lithubs Tight Breeches and Loose Gowns. Then hop over to Fashion Era for a complete rundown of Regency dress and the dropping of the waistline. If you still need more you are going to want Dress in the Age of Jane Austen by Hilary Davidson.

 

What to read if you love Pride and Prejudice?

If you like Regency check out the Queen of Regency Georgette Heyer. For something a bit more smutty try Tessa Dares Regency novels.

A recent trend is moving the plot of Pride and Prejudice to a different culture. Adrienne recommends Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors by Sonali Dev it's set around an Indian family in Canada.

She loves Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith because you can actually forget you are not reading the original. Don't miss The Austen Project's Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld which is a thoroughly modern retelling that places Liz as a magazine writer and Mr. Darcy as a neurosurgeon.

She offers a couple of awesome Young Adult (YA) options as well. Pride: A Pride & Prejudice Remix by Ibi Zoboi set in the Bronx and discussing cultural identity, class, and gentrification. Pride and Premeditation by Tirzah Price is a Private Eye mystery.