[Pulpmeister]

I once read an entertaining update of The Count of Monte Christo. It was written, and set, in the 1980s. It did not use the original characters' names, nor the original book title either, but the story was instantly recognisable on reading.

It is now quite a few years since I last read that book, and I can't recall the author's name, but he did a good job on it. I enjoyed it, even knowing perfectly well where the plot came from. I did not regard it as in any way a dumbing down.

But if he'd named it The Count of Monte Christo, I probably would not have bought it. I've read that, too, several times, albeit only in translation. (My French goes as about as far as "Trois pressione s'il vou plait" and, in due course, "Encore." )

I've read Pride several times, but can't imagine wanting to read someone else's rewrite. Just as I would not move an inch out of my chair to see a movie remake of The Maltese Falcon, nor spend one cent on a rewrite of the book.