Welcome, Austen Admirers! Today, we have a
special treat for you as we welcome the talented author Elizabeth Famous to our
cozy corner of the internet. With her recent publication, Pemberley Beach, a contemporary
reimagining of Jane Austen’s timeless classic Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth
has captivated readers with her fresh take on beloved characters and themes.
We invite you to join us in exploring Elizabeth’s creative process, her love for Austen’s work, and the delightful twists and turns she introduces in Pemberley Beach. This interview is not just a conversation between author and interviewer; it’s an invitation for all of you to participate. Feel free to share your thoughts, questions, and favourite Austen moments in the comments section below. After all, what’s better than discussing literature with fellow enthusiasts? So, brew a cup of tea, settle into your favourite reading nook, and Elizabeth Famous as she shares insights into her literary world and her passion for all things Austen.
Question: What inspired you to write a
modern retelling of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice?
Answer: Jane Austen’s works, with their ingenious humor, rich dialogue, well-crafted characters, intricate plots, and keen insights into human nature, served as the primary inspiration for Pemberley Beach. While Austen's setting was Regency England, I was drawn to exploring contemporary life and the complex relationship dynamics faced by young women today. From navigating issues of consent and birth control to slut-shaming and sexual harassment, modern life presents a minefield of challenges. I believe these themes mesh with Austen's exploration of human behavior. Her writing has an undercurrent of sexual tension. For instance, Darcy's subtle advances toward Lizzy at Rosings Park hint at the sexual energy simmering just below the surface. By infusing Austen's classic tale with these modern themes, I aimed to create a compelling adaptation that resonates with today's readers while honoring the essence of Austen's work.
Answer: In one respect, adapting Pride and Prejudice into a modern setting for Pemberley Beach was a breeze. Given my deep obsession with Jane Austen's classic, I practically have the novel memorized, which allowed me to easily pop in plot points and dialogue. However, translating the story also involved five years of creative, original novel-writing. For example, instead of Lydia "ruining" her family's prospects by eloping with Wickham, I reimagined her as a ditzy flirt who naively trusts Wickham enough to engage in risky behavior, such as taking explicit photos for him. Lady Catherine doesn’t threaten Elizabeth with being excommunicated by Darcy’s family but with using her influence in town to get Elizabeth fired from her job if she doesn’t give up dating Darcy. I hope my approach allowed me to infuse the story with contemporary relevance while honoring Austen's timeless tale.
Question: Your novel explores themes of class, family, and romance, much like Austen's original work. How did you approach updating these themes for a modern audience?
Answer: I could write a dissertation on this, but I’ll stick to three illustrative examples. First, I tackled the issue of class by highlighting the awkwardness of low social status and how social connections can help or hamper one's career—Elizabeth, for instance, is a first-year music teacher navigating the dynamics of being lowest on the totem pole while Darcy’s family has the money to grease every wheel and make their skeletons disappear. Regarding family, while patriarchal structure may not be as pronounced today, Elizabeth is just out of college and living at home, allowing the influences of Lydia, Jane, and her mother to remain central. In terms of romance, I replaced the institution of marriage with sex, having Darcy proposition Elizabeth for a hook up. Her powerful rejection forces him to confront his snobbish and demeaning attitudes toward women, reflecting modern challenges in romantic relationships.
Question: Elizabeth Bennet is such an iconic character. How did you reimagine her for Pemberley Beach, and what aspects of her personality did you want to emphasize in your adaptation?
Answer: Reimagining Elizabeth Bennet was indeed a challenging endeavor. While Elizabeth is an amazingly quick-witted and confident character in Pride and Prejudice—close to perfection in my opinion—I found it necessary to introduce elements of vulnerability and insecurity to make her more relatable to a modern reader and emphasize her resilience and strength in overcoming adversity.
By dampening Elizabeth's sparkle and introducing layers of complexity, I sought to create dramatic tension in Pemberley Beach.
Question: Darcy is another character deeply ingrained in literature. What were some of the challenges you faced in modernizing his character, and how did you make your Will Darcy relevant to today's readers?
Answer: Modernizing Darcy posed fewer challenges because in today’s world there are numerous examples of wealthy and privileged young men who exude a sense of entitlement and arrogance, often engaging in promiscuous behavior that disregards women's feelings. Drawing inspiration from the conduct of certain rock stars and celebrities, such as those referenced in Taylor Swift’s songs, provided a rich tapestry for shaping Darcy's persona. However, balancing this modern figure with the original Darcy's essence was crucial. My aim was to make Will Darcy relatable and compelling to today's readers while preserving the dignified, principled, aloof, and reserved character traits from Austen's book.
Answer: I drew inspiration for the setting of Pemberley Beach from my childhood vacations in Victorian Cape May. This charming seaside town left a lasting impression on me, particularly its blend of beachy vibes, amusement park activities, and sophisticated afternoon teas in quaint old estates. For the novel, I envisioned a similar coastal setting but further south, incorporating elements of Southern manners and charm. Additionally, I aimed to infuse the story with a sense of luxury and extravagance, reminiscent of the upscale resort atmosphere found at destinations like Kiawah Island in South Carolina. This blend of coastal beauty, Southern etiquette, and opulence provided the perfect backdrop for the unfolding drama and romance in Pemberley Beach, shaping the characters' experiences throughout the story.
Question: Are there any specific scenes or moments in Pemberley Beach that you're particularly proud of, where you feel you captured the essence of Austen's original while putting your own spin on it?
Answer: Absolutely. One scene in Pemberley Beach that particularly stands out for me is when Elizabeth and Darcy find themselves alone together aboard Darcy’s yacht. This scene mirrors the original Darcy’s struggle to avoid engaging with Elizabeth when they’re alone together at Netherfield. In my modern adaptation, Elizabeth playfully calls out Darcy's silence, reminiscent of how in Pride and Prejudice Elizabeth challenges Darcy's stiff manners while they are dancing together. Here's a snippet from my novel:
She returned his gaze steadily.
He still didn't speak.
"Do you think maybe we should say
something to each other, Darcy. It might be odd to sit together and say
nothing."
He bowed his head. From where he sat, with
the ship tilting, he got a view of her décolletage. "What would you like
to talk about?"
"Hmm. Perhaps you should say something
about the weather. I'll compliment your boat.
Then we can be silent again for a while."
He studied her face, evaluating its shape
and features, the expression of her eyes. She was one of those women who looked
better outdoors. Her brown hair had highlights of gold and her eyes shone even
more than usual in the daylight.
"We speak by rule then?" he
asked.
She nodded. "The two of us are both of
a reserved disposition, not willing to speak unless we have something to say
that's so impressive it will amaze the room." She sputtered a cough, or
maybe it was a chuckle. "Therefore, we benefit from exacting guidelines
that allow us to say as little as possible to each other."
He smiled despite himself. "I'm not
sure that's an accurate description of you. Whether it describes me, I cannot
say. You perhaps think so."
She shrugged, adjusting the strap of her
sundress, which had slipped off her shoulder. "That's a sufficient reply
for now." She reached for a glass of ice water, swirling the liquid in it,
her lips twitching. "We can go back to ignoring each other."
"As you wish," he said, wishing
he was not so drawn to her. "Please feel free to continue giving me
instructions on how to behave."
She laughed out loud, then lean back in her
seat with her hand on her stomach. Her flushed cheeks suddenly concerned him.
He didn't want to give her the wrong idea. He would not now, or in the future,
be offering to act as her date just because her sister was socializing with his
friend.
Question: Lastly, what's next for you as an author? Do you have any future projects in the works, and will they continue to draw inspiration from classic literature like Austen's?
Answer: I'm excited about several potential
future projects. One idea I've been considering is a contemporary retelling of Persuasion,
featuring a more assertive Anne Elliot. I'm also intrigued by the idea of a
historical romance set in a small Midwestern farming village in the 1880s,
exploring themes of love and duty against the backdrop of a changing society. The
heroine, trapped in an abusive arranged marriage, longs for her childhood
friend and first love. Additionally, I've been toying with the concept of a futuristic
dystopian novel centered around AI technology, where people can escape into
virtual reality fantasies. The protagonist would defy societal norms by
eschewing the idea of living in a make-believe world and seeking solace in an abandoned
library, navigating the post-apocalyptic landscape. These ideas draw
inspiration from a variety of sources, not just classic literature, but I'm
always excited to explore new narratives and themes in my writing. I'm grateful
for the support of my husband who encourages me to pursue creative endeavors.
Enter seductive Wickham, Darcy’s nemesis, who poisons Elizabeth’s mind with outrageous stories about Darcy’s cruelty toward “his social inferiors.” Wickham, who’s as handsome as Darcy, does more than flirt with Elizabeth, and then uses his allure on her 18-year-old sister Lydia, weaving a web of deception and indiscretion that jeopardizes not only Elizabeth’s reputation but her burgeoning career as a music teacher.
Amid the escalating scandal, which has the whole town whispering, Darcy is confronted with a choice: give up on his undeniable feelings for Elizabeth or take a stand against the idea that Pemberley Beach would be polluted by someone like her.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
With an unwavering passion for Jane Austen, Famous draws inspiration from the iconic author in her latest endeavor, Pemberley Beach.
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