Parallel novel

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.

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". 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.

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.

Examples

 * Wild Wood (1981) by Jan Needle 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 parallels Gone with the Wind.
 * March (2005) by Geraldine Brooks parallels Little Women (1868).
 * Longbourn (2013) by Jo Baker parallels Pride and Prejudice.
 * Julia (2023) by Sandra Newman parallels Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell from the perspective of Julia.