Emma Tennant

Emma Tennant (1937-2017) was a British novelist and editor known for her postmodern retellings of classic novels and her experimental approach to fiction. Her work frequently explored themes of gender, social class, and identity through both historical and contemporary settings. Tennant's most notable works include "The Bad Sister" (1978), "Two Women of London: The Strange Case of Ms Jekyll and Mrs Hyde" (1989), and "Pemberley" (1993), a sequel to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Her reimaginings of classic texts earned her recognition as a pioneering voice in feminist literary revisionism. During her career spanning over four decades, Tennant served as editor of the literary magazine "Bananas" and held positions at Vogue and Queen magazines. She published more than 30 books across multiple genres, including literary fiction, children's literature, and memoirs. In addition to her writing, Tennant was known for her connections to the British literary establishment and her marriage to Christopher Booker, founding editor of Private Eye. Her final works included the memoir "Burnt Diaries" (1999), which detailed her relationship with Ted Hughes.

Readers praise Tennant's creative reimagining of classic works but note her uneven execution. Many enjoy her takes on "Jekyll and Hyde" and "Pride and Prejudice," citing her skill at examining gender dynamics in familiar stories. What readers liked: - Fresh perspectives on classic characters - Complex exploration of women's roles - Gothic atmosphere in "The Bad Sister" - Brief length of most works What readers disliked: - Writing style described as "pretentious" by multiple Amazon reviewers - Character development feels rushed - Plot threads left unresolved - Sequels don't match quality of source material Average ratings: Goodreads: - "Two Women of London" - 3.4/5 (127 ratings) - "Pemberley" - 2.9/5 (1,248 ratings) - "The Bad Sister" - 3.2/5 (89 ratings) Amazon: - Most titles average 3-3.5 stars - "Pemberley" rates lowest at 2.8/5 (142 reviews) - Highest rated is "Two Women of London" at 3.7/5 (28 reviews)

The Bad Sister (1978) A Gothic tale about two sisters in Scotland exploring themes of doubles and split personalities.

Hotel de Dream (1976) A surreal narrative set in a mysterious hotel where reality and dreams intermingle.

Wild Nights (1979) A story about three women living in London during periods of social upheaval.

Alice Fell (1980) A coming-of-age novel about a young girl's experiences in post-war Britain.

Queen of Stones (1982) A reimagining of William Golding's "Lord of the Flies" with a group of schoolgirls as protagonists.

Woman Beware Woman (1983) A modern retelling of Thomas Middleton's revenge tragedy "Women Beware Women."

Two Women of London (1989) A feminist rewrite of Robert Louis Stevenson's "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde."

Sisters and Strangers (1990) A series of interconnected stories examining different versions of the Cinderella tale.

Faustine (1991) A feminist adaptation of the Faust legend featuring a female protagonist.

Emma in Love (1996) A continuation of Jane Austen's "Emma," following the protagonist after her marriage.

Pemberley (1993) A sequel to Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" set one year after Elizabeth and Darcy's marriage.

Tess (1993) A reimagining of Thomas Hardy's "Tess of the d'Urbervilles" in contemporary times.

Burnt Diaries (1999) A memoir detailing Tennant's relationship with Ted Hughes and her experiences in the London literary scene.

Angela Carter writes modern retellings of fairy tales and explores feminist themes through magical realism. Her work shares Tennant's interest in reimagining classic stories and examining gender roles through a contemporary lens.

A.S. Byatt combines literary criticism with fiction and creates narratives that move between past and present. She focuses on female characters and academic settings while incorporating elements of Victorian literature, similar to Tennant's approach to historical fiction.

Jeanette Winterson writes experimental fiction that challenges traditional narrative structures and gender boundaries. Her work, like Tennant's, often features Gothic elements and explores themes of identity and transformation.

Margaret Atwood creates stories that blend elements of Gothic fiction with contemporary social commentary. She shares Tennant's focus on retelling classic tales and examining women's roles in society.

Sarah Waters writes historical fiction that centers on female characters and explores Victorian and twentieth-century Britain. Her work parallels Tennant's interest in historical settings and feminist perspectives while incorporating elements of Gothic literature.