Parallel novel explained

A parallel novel is an in-universe (but often non-canonical) pastiche (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.^[1]

Parallel novels or "reimagined 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".^[2] 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.^[2]

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.^[3]

Creating parallel novels can have significant legal implications when the copyright of the original author's work has not expired, and a later author makes a parallel novel derived from the original author's work.^[4]

Examples

• Wild Wood (1981) by Jan Needle parallels The Wind in the Willows from the perspective of the stoats and weasels.^{[5] [6]}
• 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 parallels Gone with the Wind.^[7]
• March (2005) by Geraldine Brooks parallels Little Women (1868).^[8]
• Longbourn (2013) by Jo Baker parallels Pride and Prejudice.^[9]
• Julia (2023) by Sandra Newman parallels Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell from the perspective of Julia.^[10]

See also

• • Copyright protection for fictional characters
• Crossover (fiction) - Sometimes canonical mixing of characters or worlds from originally separate fictional universes.
  • Intercompany crossover comics.
    • • Klinger v. Conan Doyle Estate, Ltd.
• Mashup novel - Non-canonical mixing of texts in new genres without continuity often in parody
  • Nichols v. Universal Pictures Corp.

Notes and References

1. News: Patrick. Bethanne. 'Neither prequel, nor sequel, it's parallel novel'. 29 November 2013. Washington Post. November 25, 2007. dead. https://archive.today/20131129045229/http://www.concordmonitor.com/article/neither-prequel-nor-sequel-its-parallel-novel. 29 November 2013.
2. Web site: Cellier-Smart . Catherine . Parallel Novels . 29 July 2016 . West Milford Township Library . bot: unknown . https://web.archive.org/web/20131202224015/http://www.wmtl.org/content/parallel-novels . 2 December 2013 .
3. Web site: The Best Parallel Novels or Reimagined Classics . . 1 October 2013 . . Amazon . 2022-06-23.
4. Locke . Scott D. . 2018 . Parallel Novels and the Reimagining of Literary Notables by Follow-On Authors: Copyrights Issues When Characters Are First Created by Others . Chicago-Kent Journal of Intellectual Property . 17 . 2 . 271 . 2019-09-17 .
5. Book: O'Sullivan, Emer. Historical Dictionary of Children's Literature. 22 November 2010. 113. Scarecrow Press . 9780810874961.
6. Book: Grahame, Kenneth. The Wind in the Willows: An Annotated Edition. 2009. Harvard UP. 1. 9780674034471.
7. Web site: Export "I'm done explaining why fanfic is okay" by Aja Romano (bookshop) . h2o.law.harvard.edu.
8. Web site: Put the book back on the shelf: Literary works that should never be adapted to film or TV again . The A.V. Club . 17 February 2010 . en-us.
9. Web site: Pride and Prejudice below the stairs: Jo Baker's Longbourn . Radio National . en-AU . 1 August 2013.
10. News: Walter . Natasha . Julia by Sandra Newman review – a new Nineteen Eighty-Four . The Guardian . 18 October 2023.