A parallel novel is an in- universe (but often non- canonical)

pastiche A pastiche is a work of visual art, literature, theatre, music, or architecture that imitates the style or character of the work of one or more other artists. Unlike parody, pastiche pays homage to the work it imitates, rather than mocking it ...

(or sometimes sequel) piece of literature written within, derived from, or taking place during the framework of another work of fiction by the same or another author with respect to continuity. Parallel novels or "reimagined

classics Classics or classical studies is the study of classical antiquity. In the Western world, classics traditionally refers to the study of Classical Greek and Roman literature and their related original languages, Ancient Greek and Latin. Classics ...

" are works of fiction that "borrow a character and fill in his story, mirror an 'old' plot, or blend the characters of one book with those of another". These stories further the works of already well-known novels by focusing on a minor character and making them the major character. The revised stories may have the same setting and time frame and even the same characters. Goodreads maintains a list of its readers' ratings of the most popular parallel novels; as of 2022, these included '' Wide Sargasso Sea'', '' Wicked'', '' The Penelopiad'', and ''Telemachus and Homer''.

Legal issues

Creating parallel novels can have significant legal implications when the copyright of the original author's work has not

expired Expired may refer to: * ''Expired'' (2007 film), an American comedy-drama film * ''Expired'' (2022 film), an Australian science fiction film See also * Expiration (disambiguation) Expiration or expiration date may refer to: Expiration Expirat ...

, and a later author makes a parallel novel derived from the original author's work.

Examples

*''Wild Wood'' (1981) by

Jan Needle James Albert Needle (born 1943), known as Jan Needle, is an English author. He was born and grew up in Portsmouth on the south coast of England, coming from a family with strong naval and military connections. He has written over thirty novels, a ...

parallels '' The Wind in the Willows'' from the perspective of the stoats and weasels. * '' The Last Ringbearer'' (1999) by Kirill Eskov parallels '' The Lord of the Rings'' with the Mordorians as the heroes. * '' The Wind Done Gone'' (2001) by

Alice Randall Alice Randall (born May 4, 1959) is an American author and songwriter. She is perhaps best known for her novel ''The Wind Done Gone'', a reinterpretation and parody of the popular 1936 novel ''Gone with the Wind (novel), Gone with the Wind''. E ...

parallels '' Gone with the Wind''. * '' March'' (2005) by Geraldine Brooks parallels ''

Little Women ''Little Women'' is a coming-of-age novel written by American novelist Louisa May Alcott (1832–1888). Alcott wrote the book, originally published in two volumes in 1868 and 1869, at the request of her publisher. The story follows the lives ...

'' (1868). * ''

Longbourn ''Longbourn'' is a 2013 novel by the British author Jo Baker. It gives an alternative view of the events in Jane Austen's 1813 novel ''Pride and Prejudice'', telling the story from the perspective of the servants at Longbourn, the Bennet family ...

'' (2013) by Jo Baker parallels ''

Pride and Prejudice ''Pride and Prejudice'' is an 1813 novel of manners by Jane Austen. The novel follows the character development of Elizabeth Bennet, the dynamic protagonist of the book who learns about the repercussions of hasty judgments and comes to appreci ...

''.

References

{{Reflist Literary genres Metafiction Literature about literature Settings Unofficial adaptations Postmodern literature