15 Books Like Pride and Prejudice
“Pride and Prejudice,” penned by Jane Austen, stands as a timeless masterpiece celebrated for its wit, romance, and social commentary. Its enduring popularity has left many readers craving similar literary experiences.
Fortunately, the world of literature offers a plethora of captivating novels that capture the essence of Austen’s beloved classic.
In this blog, we embark on a journey to discover books that echo the charm, wit, and romanticism of “Pride and Prejudice,” providing readers with a delightful array of tales to explore and cherish.
Let’s go.
Books Like Pride and Prejudice
1. Emma by Jane Austen
“Emma” is a novel by Jane Austen, first published in 1815, about a young woman, Emma Woodhouse, who is beautiful, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home and very little to distress or vex her. Emma prides herself on being a matchmaker in her small community, but her involvement in others’ lives leads to a series of misunderstandings and complications.
Through her matchmaking attempts and the journey of self-discovery, Emma experiences personal growth and learns the value of humility and the importance of love.
Major Similarities: Like “Pride and Prejudice,” “Emma” is a masterpiece of wit and social satire, focusing on themes of marriage, social class, and personal growth. Both novels are set in the early 19th century and offer a keen insight into the lives and manners of the British gentry. The protagonists of both novels undergo significant personal development, learning to recognize their own flaws and misjudgments while navigating the complexities of relationships and societal expectations.
2. Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
“Sense and Sensibility,” another celebrated work by Jane Austen, was published in 1811. It tells the story of the Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne, who, after their father’s death, face financial hardships and romantic trials in their quest for love and security.
Elinor, the embodiment of sense, navigates her family’s social displacement with pragmatism and grace, while Marianne, who represents sensibility, follows her heart with little regard for societal norms. Their contrasting approaches to life and love lead them through a series of trials and revelations.
Major Similarities: Like “Pride and Prejudice,” “Sense and Sensibility” explores themes of love, marriage, and societal expectations, with a particular focus on the economic vulnerabilities of women in the 19th century. The novel also highlights Austen’s characteristic wit and social commentary, providing a critical look at the sentimentality and pragmatism that influenced women’s choices and behaviors during the era. Both novels are celebrated for their exploration of the nuances of human relationships within the confines of the social norms of their time.
3. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
“Jane Eyre,” written by Charlotte Brontë and published in 1847, is a novel that follows the experiences of its eponymous heroine, from her abusive childhood to her employment as a governess at Thornfield Hall, where she falls in love with the mysterious Mr. Rochester.
Despite their strong bond, Jane seeks to maintain her sense of independence and moral integrity, facing numerous challenges that test her resolve and spirit. The novel is celebrated for its exploration of themes of social class, morality, and the struggle for autonomy.
Major Similarities: “Jane Eyre” and “Pride and Prejudice” share themes of love, social class disparity, and the quest for independence. Both novels feature strong, intelligent female protagonists who navigate the complexities of love and societal expectations with grace and determination.
Furthermore, the emphasis on moral integrity and personal growth in the face of societal constraints mirrors the journey of Elizabeth Bennet in “Pride and Prejudice.”
4. Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
“Wuthering Heights,” the only novel by Emily Brontë, published in 1847, presents a dark and passionate tale of love and revenge on the Yorkshire moors. The story centers around the intense relationship between Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff, an orphan taken in by Catherine’s father.
Heathcliff’s love for Catherine and his subsequent quest for revenge against those he believes have wronged him drive the narrative, exploring themes of love, hate, death, and redemption.
Major Similarities: Although darker and more gothic than “Pride and Prejudice,” “Wuthering Heights” shares the theme of love transcending social class and expectations. Both novels delve into the complexities of human emotions and relationships against the backdrop of the rigid social structures of their time. The intense emotional depth and the exploration of the consequences of pride and prejudice in relationships draw a parallel between the two stories.
5. North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell
“North and South,” written by Elizabeth Gaskell and first published in 1854-55, explores the life of Margaret Hale, a young woman from the south of England who moves to the industrial north.
There, she encounters John Thornton, a mill owner, and through her experiences and relationships, the novel addresses the clash between the industrial north and the agrarian south, labor disputes, and the class divide.
Margaret’s prejudices against the northern way of life and her gradual understanding and appreciation for the complexities of industrial society are central to the narrative.
Major Similarities: “North and South” and “Pride and Prejudice” both feature strong, principled female protagonists who challenge and are challenged by their societal contexts. The themes of class conflict, personal prejudice, and the transformative power of love and understanding are prevalent in both novels. Additionally, both Austen and Gaskell offer insightful social commentary through the lens of romance, making their works enduring studies of human relationships and societal structures.
6. Persuasion by Jane Austen
“Persuasion,” the last novel fully completed by Jane Austen, was published posthumously in 1817. It tells the story of Anne Elliot, who, at the age of 27, is considered a spinster by society’s standards. Years earlier, she was persuaded to break off her engagement to Frederick Wentworth, a young naval officer with no fortune.
As the story unfolds, Wentworth returns, now successful and wealthy, throwing Anne’s world into turmoil as they navigate the societal pressures and personal pride that once drove them apart.
Major Similarities: Like “Pride and Prejudice,” “Persuasion” deals with themes of love, social standing, and the impact of societal expectations on personal happiness. Both novels are celebrated for their nuanced exploration of the complexities of rekindled romance and the ways in which characters must confront their past decisions and prejudices. The focus on mature reflection and the transformative power of love links “Persuasion” closely to the themes explored in “Pride and Prejudice.”
7. Mansfield Park by Jane Austen
“Mansfield Park,” published in 1814, is one of Jane Austen’s most complex novels, centering on Fanny Price, a poor young girl sent to live with her wealthy relatives at Mansfield Park.
As she grows up, Fanny develops a deep love for her cousin Edmund, while navigating a world filled with moral challenges, societal expectations, and the intrigues of those around her. The novel is a profound exploration of virtue, integrity, and the social dynamics of the early 19th century.
Major Similarities: “Mansfield Park” and “Pride and Prejudice” both offer a critical look at the British class system and the role of women within it. Both novels feature heroines who, despite their different personalities and circumstances, exhibit strength, moral integrity, and a keen awareness of their societal positions. The emphasis on character development and the critique of social norms present in both works highlight Austen’s skill in examining the tensions between personal desire and societal expectations.
8. Middlemarch by George Eliot
“Middlemarch,” a novel by George Eliot (the pen name of Mary Ann Evans), was published in serial form between 1871 and 1872. It is considered one of the greatest novels in the English language, offering a complex portrait of a provincial town and its inhabitants.
The narrative focuses on several key characters, including Dorothea Brooke, a young woman with noble ideals, and her struggles with the constraints of society and her own expectations. Eliot explores themes of marriage, ambition, and reform with a keen eye for detail and deep psychological insight.
Major Similarities: Like “Pride and Prejudice,” “Middlemarch” explores themes of marriage, social expectations, and the quest for personal fulfillment within the confines of a rigid society. Both novels are celebrated for their detailed characterizations, social commentary, and the exploration of the inner lives of women facing societal pressures. The depth with which both Austen and Eliot examine the complexities of human relationships and societal norms makes “Middlemarch” resonate with fans of “Pride and Prejudice.”
9. The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton
“The Age of Innocence,” published in 1920 by Edith Wharton, is a novel set in the late 19th century New York high society. It tells the story of Newland Archer, a man torn between his duty and social expectations and his love for Countess Ellen Olenska, a woman considered scandalous by society’s standards.
The novel explores themes of passion versus responsibility, the constraints of society on individual happiness, and the illusion of choice within rigid social norms.
Major Similarities: Although set in a different country and era, “The Age of Innocence” and “Pride and Prejudice” both scrutinize the societal expectations surrounding marriage and relationships. Wharton, like Austen, delves into the nuances of social class, the consequences of personal choices within societal constraints, and the conflict between individual desires and social expectations. Both novels offer a critical look at the ways in which society influences personal relationships and the pursuit of happiness.
10. Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray
“Vanity Fair,” a novel without a hero, was published in 1847-48 by William Makepeace Thackeray. It follows the lives of Becky Sharp and Amelia Sedley, among others, in a satirical depiction of British society during the early 19th century.
Becky Sharp, an ambitious and cunning young woman, uses her wits to ascend the social ladder, in stark contrast to the gentle and kind Amelia. The novel explores themes of social climbing, morality, and the quest for happiness in a materialistic world.
Major Similarities: “Vanity Fair” and “Pride and Prejudice” both offer insightful social commentary on the manners and mores of their respective periods. While “Vanity Fair” takes a more cynical view of society than “Pride and Prejudice,” both novels engage with the themes of marriage, social status, and the roles of women in their quest for security and respectability. The sharp wit and satirical edge of Thackeray’s narrative echo Austen’s keen observations of the social dynamics and hypocrisies of her time.
11. Bleak House by Charles Dickens
“Bleak House,” published in serial form between 1852 and 1853 by Charles Dickens, is a complex narrative that intertwines multiple characters and plots around the legal case of Jarndyce and Jarndyce in the Court of Chancery.
The novel critiques the British legal system while exploring themes of social injustice, with a focus on the fog that envelops both the physical streets of London and the metaphorical confusion of the legal process.
Through the eyes of its numerous characters, including the compassionate Esther Summerson, Dickens paints a vivid picture of Victorian society’s complexities and inequities.
Major Similarities: While “Bleak House” and “Pride and Prejudice” differ significantly in tone and scope, both novels offer incisive critiques of their respective societies through a detailed examination of social customs and legal intricacies. Like Austen, Dickens employs a wide cast of characters to explore themes of social class, morality, and human nature. Both authors masterfully use their narratives to reveal the hypocrisies and flaws of the social structures of their times, making their works enduring studies of English society.
12. The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë
“The Tenant of Wildfell Hall,” published in 1848 by Anne Brontë under the pseudonym Acton Bell, is a powerful narrative that challenges the Victorian social norms and conventions, particularly regarding marriage and women’s independence.
The novel is presented through letters and diaries, primarily focusing on Helen Graham, a mysterious woman who moves into Wildfell Hall and whose past and motivations become the subject of local speculation.
It addresses issues of alcoholism, abuse, and the struggle for women to assert their autonomy and morality within oppressive societal constraints.
Major Similarities: Like “Pride and Prejudice,” “The Tenant of Wildfell Hall” explores themes of reputation, social perception, and the complexities of romantic and marital relationships. Both novels feature strong, principled female protagonists who challenge societal expectations. Anne Brontë, like Jane Austen, examines the limitations placed on women in their respective societies, although Brontë’s approach is more direct in its critique of gender inequality and the social structures that perpetuate it.
13. Far From the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy
“Far From the Madding Crowd,” published in 1874 by Thomas Hardy, is set in the rural Wessex landscape and tells the story of Bathsheba Everdene, an independent and spirited young woman who inherits her uncle’s farm.
As Bathsheba navigates the challenges of managing her farm, she attracts the attention of three very different suitors: Gabriel Oak, a shepherd; Sergeant Francis Troy, a charming soldier; and William Boldwood, a wealthy and mature bachelor.
The novel explores themes of love, passion, and the choices we make, set against the backdrop of the English countryside.
Major Similarities: Both “Far From the Madding Crowd” and “Pride and Prejudice” focus on themes of love, independence, and the societal expectations of marriage. The protagonists, Bathsheba and Elizabeth, are strong-willed women who defy the typical norms of their times by prioritizing their own desires and judgments in matters of the heart. Hardy, like Austen, adeptly captures the social dynamics and the rural setting that influences his characters’ lives and decisions, providing a rich exploration of human emotions and societal pressures.
14. A Room with a View by E.M. Forster
“A Room with a View,” published in 1908 by E.M. Forster, is a novel about young Lucy Honeychurch, who is torn between the constraints of Edwardian society and her own desires and impulses.
During a trip to Italy, Lucy encounters George Emerson, a man whose free-thinking ideals challenge her own conventional views.
The novel is a critique of Edwardian society’s rigid social conventions and a celebration of love and personal freedom, set against the contrasting backdrops of Italy and England.
Major Similarities: “A Room with a View” and “Pride and Prejudice” both explore themes of love, societal expectations, and the journey towards self-awareness and personal growth. Both novels feature young women who must navigate their feelings within the confines of the societal norms of their time. Forster, like Austen, uses a combination of humor, irony, and keen social observation to critique the social customs that hinder the pursuit of true happiness and personal authenticity.
15. The Buccaneers by Edith Wharton
“The Buccaneers,” left unfinished at the time of Edith Wharton’s death in 1937 and published posthumously in 1938, is a novel about a group of wealthy American girls who, unable to secure their positions in American high society, set off to England to marry into the British aristocracy.
The narrative focuses on the adventures and challenges they face in a society that is at once welcoming and resistant to their charms and wealth.
The novel explores themes of cultural contrast, the pursuit of marital and social status, and the personal growth of its characters within these contexts.
Major Similarities: Similar to “Pride and Prejudice,” “The Buccaneers” deals with themes of marriage, social mobility, and the clash between personal desires and societal expectations. Both novels explore the intricacies of the marriage market and the social maneuvering that women of their times had to undertake. Wharton and Austen both offer critical insights into the ways in which societal norms influence individual lives, particularly those of women, and how characters navigate the complex interplay of love, ambition, and social acceptance.
