This is the third post in my best editions & retellings series (previous posts: Anne of Green Gables and Little Women).

Penguin Random House

This cute cover has a pleasing mix of old-fashioned and modern designs, with a calming color scheme and some shiny lettering. Always love shiny on a book cover.

Classics Reimagined

These bold colors could reflect the bold personalities of the characters in P&P. It’s fully illustrated as well, which is intriguing.

HarperMuse: Artisan

This cut paper cover highlights the main characters of the novel. I find that the actual title, shoved away in a corner in a very basic font, leaves something to be desired; but Jane Austen’s name in cut-out is a nice touch.

Sceptre 1995

Maybe it’s a little boring, but I think this illustration really captures the elegance of Pemberley (I assume). This edition sadly isn’t in print anymore, so we will have to admire its elegant font and calming greenery from afar.

Litjoy

The faces on this highly stylized cover may be inspired by the actors in the 2005 movie. I love the gold of the clothing contrasted with the gray-blue of their faces; the lettering and art are both fun and sophisticated, which reflects the book’s contents.

Penguin Random House: The Sisterhood

PRH’s “The Sisterhood” series (highlighting classic books by women) is very hit or miss; the floating-hair theme sometimes just looks silly (as in the Anne of Green Gables cover) and the idea of long hair being tied to feminine strength feels very outdated (though of course these are all classic English-language books, so that comes with the package). Context aside, however, I really like the Pride and Prejudice cover–it’s refreshing without looking too modern, with a fun mix of abstract and semi-realistic art and an excellent choice of colors.

Penguin Random House: Book-To-Table

Everyone knows that a good book cover is one that you would want to eat, and this frosting-themed Pride and Prejudice + Martha Stewart cookbook certainly looks scrumptious.

Puffin Classics

Romance! Intrigue! Signs of opulence! Florals! What more could you ask for in a P&P cover?

BBC Series

Is this an excellent cover? No, but it’s not a crime against graphic design either, and I had to sing the praises the 1995 BBC adaptation somewhere in this post.

Pulp! The Classics

I couldn’t not include this.

Pride and Prejudice Retellings

Pride by Ibi Zoboi

Zuri Benitez is a proud Afro-Latina poet living with her chaotic family in Brooklyn. When the rich Darcy family moves in across the street, Zuri wants nothing to do with the haughty Darius. But the two may have more in common than it seems.

Debating Darcy by Sayantani Dasgupta

In this Indian American spin on Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth (Leela) and Darcy (Firoze) are pitted against each other in high school debate! RIP Elizabeth Bennet, you would have loved speech and debate.

Most Ardently by Gabe Cole Novoa

In this sweet and personal YA adaptation, Oliver Bennet is a closeted trans man who feels stifled in his life as the second Bennet “sister.” When he meets Darcy, Oliver’s dream of kissing a boy as a boy seems less impossible than before. But with societal expectations forming a seemingly impenetrable barrier to his happiness, can Oliver really follow his dreams?

Unmarriageable by Soniah Kamal

In this modern adaptation, a large Pakistani wedding could be the opportunity for English teacher Alys Binat and her sister Jena to fulfill their mother’s dream of finding rich suitors.

Pride and Prejudice and Pittsburgh

In this queer time-travel retelling, a modern-day woman from Pittsburg finds herself in 1812 England.

Look On the Bright Side by Lily Williams & Karen Schneemann

Though not a strict P&P retelling, this sequel to my favorite graphic novel, Go With the Flow, features an Elizabeth-and-Darcy-inspired high school love story! Both graphic novels are also full of references to Pride and Prejudice 2005.

If you made it this far, thanks for reading! Which cover was your favorite? I’m thinking Emma or maybe Twelfth Night will be next in the series. If you have other suggestions, please let me know!