Adventures in the Public Domain: On Updating Out-of-Copyright Works
Should we attempt to bring older works into the modern age?
https://reactormag.com/adventures-in-the-public-domain-on-updating-out-of-copyright-works/
Adventures in the Public Domain: On Updating Out-of-Copyright Works
Should we attempt to bring older works into the modern age?
https://reactormag.com/adventures-in-the-public-domain-on-updating-out-of-copyright-works/
James Nicoll wrote:Ha-ha and ho-ho, giggling and chuckling ensue.
Adventures in the Public Domain: On Updating Out-of-Copyright WorksI myself am much more interested in the recent phenomenon of
Should we attempt to bring older works into the modern age?
https://reactormag.com/adventures-in-the-public-domain-on-updating-
out-of-copyright-works/
"downdating", in which a modern novel is set in the past.
Most of you, of course, will be familiar with Sir Steven Fry's "The
Stars' Tennis Balls", a classic tale of false imprisonment and revenge.
But just in case you are not, a recap.˙ A young man, about to be
married, is given a note by a trusted older friend.˙ This friend, alas
is involved with an underground group much frowned upon by the powers
that be.˙ Through˙ the machinations of various "friends" the government
is given cause to investigate our protagonist, who is whisked away to an "insane asylum" on a remote island (were we to update rather than
downdate this novel, it would be a black ops site in Tajikistan).
With the aid of an older, wiser, but unhealthy fellow prisoner, our hero escapes, becomes rich, and proceeds to a long process of revenge on
those responsible for his incarceration, one of whom has married his fiancee.
A young French author of much promise has downdated this novel, cleverly substituting the Bonapartist cause for the IRA, a Swiss bank account for
a buried hoard of treasure, and an ancient stone prison for the asylum.
It was not so easy for an unknown man to enter high society in the early 1800s (today all it takes is money) but the author handles the
prisoner's entry very well.˙ In fact the whole society of early to mid
1800s France is rendered with staggering accuracy.˙ I was unable to find
a false note.˙ He must have spent years in research.
The process of revenge runs in parallel with that in Fry's novel.
Without the internet it cannot be an exact parallel, but the author
works very well with the mechanisms of 19th century finance and
venality.˙ The basics of corruption do not change over time.
These are darker times than the era in which Fry's masterpiece was
written.˙ So one change our updater does make is to the ending.˙ Whereas Fry's hero, revenge accomplished, faces at best a lonely future, our downdated hero, while deprived of his one true love, finds a second,
much younger, love, and˙ resumes his intended life path as a husband and presumably father.˙ An older but much richer one.
I for one will be looking out for new books by young M. Dumas.˙ He has a great career ahead of him.
William Hyde
James Nicoll wrote:
Adventures in the Public Domain: On Updating Out-of-Copyright WorksI myself am much more interested in the recent phenomenon of
Should we attempt to bring older works into the modern age?
https://reactormag.com/adventures-in-the-public-domain-on-updating-
out-of-copyright-works/
"downdating", in which a modern novel is set in the past.
Most of you, of course, will be familiar with Sir Steven Fry's "The
Stars' Tennis Balls", a classic tale of false imprisonment and revenge.
But just in case you are not, a recap.˙ A young man, about to be
married, is given a note by a trusted older friend.˙ This friend, alas
is involved with an underground group much frowned upon by the powers
that be.˙ Through˙ the machinations of various "friends" the government
is given cause to investigate our protagonist, who is whisked away to an "insane asylum" on a remote island (were we to update rather than
downdate this novel, it would be a black ops site in Tajikistan).
With the aid of an older, wiser, but unhealthy fellow prisoner, our hero escapes, becomes rich, and proceeds to a long process of revenge on
those responsible for his incarceration, one of whom has married his
fiancee.
A young French author of much promise has downdated this novel, cleverly substituting the Bonapartist cause for the IRA, a Swiss bank account for
a buried hoard of treasure, and an ancient stone prison for the asylum.
It was not so easy for an unknown man to enter high society in the early 1800s (today all it takes is money) but the author handles the
prisoner's entry very well.˙ In fact the whole society of early to mid
1800s France is rendered with staggering accuracy.˙ I was unable to find
a false note.˙ He must have spent years in research.
The process of revenge runs in parallel with that in Fry's novel.
Without the internet it cannot be an exact parallel, but the author
works very well with the mechanisms of 19th century finance and
venality.˙ The basics of corruption do not change over time.
These are darker times than the era in which Fry's masterpiece was
written.˙ So one change our updater does make is to the ending.˙ Whereas Fry's hero, revenge accomplished, faces at best a lonely future, our downdated hero, while deprived of his one true love, finds a second,
much younger, love, and˙ resumes his intended life path as a husband and presumably father.˙ An older but much richer one.
I for one will be looking out for new books by young M. Dumas.˙ He has a great career ahead of him.
William Hyde
James Nicoll wrote:
Adventures in the Public Domain: On Updating Out-of-Copyright WorksI myself am much more interested in the recent phenomenon of
Should we attempt to bring older works into the modern age?
https://reactormag.com/adventures-in-the-public-domain-on-updating-
out-of-copyright-works/
"downdating", in which a modern novel is set in the past.
Most of you, of course, will be familiar with Sir Steven Fry's "The
Stars' Tennis Balls", a classic tale of false imprisonment and revenge.
But just in case you are not, a recap.˙ A young man, about to be
married, is given a note by a trusted older friend.˙ This friend, alas
is involved with an underground group much frowned upon by the powers
that be.˙ Through˙ the machinations of various "friends" the government
is given cause to investigate our protagonist, who is whisked away to an "insane asylum" on a remote island (were we to update rather than
downdate this novel, it would be a black ops site in Tajikistan).
With the aid of an older, wiser, but unhealthy fellow prisoner, our hero escapes, becomes rich, and proceeds to a long process of revenge on
those responsible for his incarceration, one of whom has married his fiancee.
A young French author of much promise has downdated this novel, cleverly substituting the Bonapartist cause for the IRA, a Swiss bank account for
a buried hoard of treasure, and an ancient stone prison for the asylum.
It was not so easy for an unknown man to enter high society in the early 1800s (today all it takes is money) but the author handles the
prisoner's entry very well.˙ In fact the whole society of early to mid
1800s France is rendered with staggering accuracy.˙ I was unable to find
a false note.˙ He must have spent years in research.
The process of revenge runs in parallel with that in Fry's novel.
Without the internet it cannot be an exact parallel, but the author
works very well with the mechanisms of 19th century finance and
venality.˙ The basics of corruption do not change over time.
These are darker times than the era in which Fry's masterpiece was
written.˙ So one change our updater does make is to the ending.˙ Whereas Fry's hero, revenge accomplished, faces at best a lonely future, our downdated hero, while deprived of his one true love, finds a second,
much younger, love, and˙ resumes his intended life path as a husband and presumably father.˙ An older but much richer one.
I for one will be looking out for new books by young M. Dumas.˙ He has a great career ahead of him.
William Hyde
I'm reminded of the number of times Shakespeare plots have been updated
or rehoused in films:
West Side Story, Clueless, Throne of Blood, RAN, etc.
On 22/01/26 14:34, William Hyde wrote:
James Nicoll wrote:
Adventures in the Public Domain: On Updating Out-of-Copyright WorksI myself am much more interested in the recent phenomenon of
Should we attempt to bring older works into the modern age?
https://reactormag.com/adventures-in-the-public-domain-on-updating-
out-of-copyright-works/
"downdating", in which a modern novel is set in the past.
Most of you, of course, will be familiar with Sir Steven Fry's "The
Stars' Tennis Balls", a classic tale of false imprisonment and revenge.
I am not. Because I was impressed with Fry from television, I tried to
read this decades ago but vaguely recall that I didn't get very far.
But just in case you are not, a recap.˙ A young man, about to be
married, is given a note by a trusted older friend.˙ This friend, alas
is involved with an underground group much frowned upon by the powers
that be.˙ Through˙ the machinations of various "friends" the government
is given cause to investigate our protagonist, who is whisked away to an
"insane asylum" on a remote island (were we to update rather than
downdate this novel, it would be a black ops site in Tajikistan).
With the aid of an older, wiser, but unhealthy fellow prisoner, our hero
escapes, becomes rich, and proceeds to a long process of revenge on
those responsible for his incarceration, one of whom has married his
fiancee.
A young French author of much promise has downdated this novel, cleverly
substituting the Bonapartist cause for the IRA, a Swiss bank account for
a buried hoard of treasure, and an ancient stone prison for the asylum.
It was not so easy for an unknown man to enter high society in the early
1800s (today all it takes is money) but the author handles the
prisoner's entry very well.˙ In fact the whole society of early to mid
1800s France is rendered with staggering accuracy.˙ I was unable to find
a false note.˙ He must have spent years in research.
The process of revenge runs in parallel with that in Fry's novel.
Without the internet it cannot be an exact parallel, but the author
works very well with the mechanisms of 19th century finance and
venality.˙ The basics of corruption do not change over time.
These are darker times than the era in which Fry's masterpiece was
written.˙ So one change our updater does make is to the ending.˙ Whereas
Fry's hero, revenge accomplished, faces at best a lonely future, our
downdated hero, while deprived of his one true love, finds a second,
much younger, love, and˙ resumes his intended life path as a husband and
presumably father.˙ An older but much richer one.
I for one will be looking out for new books by young M. Dumas.˙ He has a
great career ahead of him.
William Hyde
Based on your summary it appears that the clever Fry has downdated
Bester's The Stars My Destination, which was first published sometime in
the 25th Century.
On 1/21/2026 10:02 PM, Titus G wrote:
On 22/01/26 14:34, William Hyde wrote:
James Nicoll wrote:
Adventures in the Public Domain: On Updating Out-of-Copyright WorksI myself am much more interested in the recent phenomenon of
Should we attempt to bring older works into the modern age?
https://reactormag.com/adventures-in-the-public-domain-on-updating-
out-of-copyright-works/
"downdating", in which a modern novel is set in the past.
Most of you, of course, will be familiar with Sir Steven Fry's "The
Stars' Tennis Balls", a classic tale of false imprisonment and revenge.
I am not. Because I was impressed with Fry from television, I tried to
read this decades ago but vaguely recall that I didn't get very far.
But just in case you are not, a recap.˙ A young man, about to be
married, is given a note by a trusted older friend.˙ This friend, alas
is involved with an underground group much frowned upon by the powers
that be.˙ Through˙ the machinations of various "friends" the government
is given cause to investigate our protagonist, who is whisked away to an >>> "insane asylum" on a remote island (were we to update rather than
downdate this novel, it would be a black ops site in Tajikistan).
With the aid of an older, wiser, but unhealthy fellow prisoner, our hero >>> escapes, becomes rich, and proceeds to a long process of revenge on
those responsible for his incarceration, one of whom has married his
fiancee.
A young French author of much promise has downdated this novel, cleverly >>> substituting the Bonapartist cause for the IRA, a Swiss bank account for >>> a buried hoard of treasure, and an ancient stone prison for the asylum.
It was not so easy for an unknown man to enter high society in the early >>> 1800s (today all it takes is money) but the author handles the
prisoner's entry very well.˙ In fact the whole society of early to mid
1800s France is rendered with staggering accuracy.˙ I was unable to find >>> a false note.˙ He must have spent years in research.
The process of revenge runs in parallel with that in Fry's novel.
Without the internet it cannot be an exact parallel, but the author
works very well with the mechanisms of 19th century finance and
venality.˙ The basics of corruption do not change over time.
These are darker times than the era in which Fry's masterpiece was
written.˙ So one change our updater does make is to the ending.˙ Whereas >>> Fry's hero, revenge accomplished, faces at best a lonely future, our
downdated hero, while deprived of his one true love, finds a second,
much younger, love, and˙ resumes his intended life path as a husband and >>> presumably father.˙ An older but much richer one.
I for one will be looking out for new books by young M. Dumas.˙ He has a >>> great career ahead of him.
William Hyde
Based on your summary it appears that the clever Fry has downdated
Bester's The Stars My Destination, which was first published sometime in
the 25th Century.
I may be being Mr. Obvious here, but isn't the Bester based on The Count
of Monte Cristo?
Adventures in the Public Domain: On Updating Out-of-Copyright Works
Should we attempt to bring older works into the modern age?
https://reactormag.com/adventures-in-the-public-domain-on-updating-out-of-copyright-works/
In <10ks722$2m7g4$1@dont-email.me> Cryptoengineer <petertrei@gmail.com> writes:
[snip]
I'm reminded of the number of times Shakespeare plots have been updated
or rehoused in films:
West Side Story, Clueless, Throne of Blood, RAN, etc.
Forbidden Planet
Adventures in the Public Domain: On Updating Out-of-Copyright Works
Should we attempt to bring older works into the modern age?
https://reactormag.com/adventures-in-the-public-domain-on-updating-out-of-copyright-works/
On 22/01/26 16:58, Cryptoengineer wrote:revenge.
On 1/21/2026 10:02 PM, Titus G wrote:
On 22/01/26 14:34, William Hyde wrote:
James Nicoll wrote:
Adventures in the Public Domain: On Updating Out-of-Copyright WorksI myself am much more interested in the recent phenomenon of
Should we attempt to bring older works into the modern age?
https://reactormag.com/adventures-in-the-public-domain-on-updating-
out-of-copyright-works/
"downdating", in which a modern novel is set in the past.
Most of you, of course, will be familiar with Sir Steven Fry's "The
Stars' Tennis Balls", a classic tale of false imprisonment and
to
I am not. Because I was impressed with Fry from television, I tried
alasread this decades ago but vaguely recall that I didn't get very far.
But just in case you are not, a recap.? A young man, about to be
married, is given a note by a trusted older friend.? This friend,
powersis involved with an underground group much frowned upon by the
governmentthat be.? Through? the machinations of various "friends" the
to anis given cause to investigate our protagonist, who is whisked away
hero"insane asylum" on a remote island (were we to update rather than
downdate this novel, it would be a black ops site in Tajikistan).
With the aid of an older, wiser, but unhealthy fellow prisoner, our
cleverlyescapes, becomes rich, and proceeds to a long process of revenge on
those responsible for his incarceration, one of whom has married his
fiancee.
A young French author of much promise has downdated this novel,
forsubstituting the Bonapartist cause for the IRA, a Swiss bank account
asylum.a buried hoard of treasure, and an ancient stone prison for the
early
It was not so easy for an unknown man to enter high society in the
mid1800s (today all it takes is money) but the author handles the
prisoner's entry very well.? In fact the whole society of early to
to find1800s France is rendered with staggering accuracy.? I was unable
Whereasa false note.? He must have spent years in research.
The process of revenge runs in parallel with that in Fry's novel.
Without the internet it cannot be an exact parallel, but the author
works very well with the mechanisms of 19th century finance and
venality.? The basics of corruption do not change over time.
These are darker times than the era in which Fry's masterpiece was
written.? So one change our updater does make is to the ending.?
husband andFry's hero, revenge accomplished, faces at best a lonely future, our
downdated hero, while deprived of his one true love, finds a second,
much younger, love, and? resumes his intended life path as a
has apresumably father.? An older but much richer one.
I for one will be looking out for new books by young M. Dumas.? He
ingreat career ahead of him.
William Hyde
Based on your summary it appears that the clever Fry has downdated
Bester's The Stars My Destination, which was first published sometime
Countthe 25th Century.
I may be being Mr. Obvious here, but isn't the Bester based on The
of Monte Cristo?
I suspect William Hyde's young M. Dumas is Alexandre Dumas.
On 1/21/2026 10:55 PM, danny burstein wrote:<petertrei@gmail.com> writes:
In <10ks722$2m7g4$1@dont-email.me> Cryptoengineer
updated
[snip]
I'm reminded of the number of times Shakespeare plots have been
or rehoused in films:
West Side Story, Clueless, Throne of Blood, RAN, etc.
Forbidden Planet
Good catch!
Of course, 'Clueless' isn't based on Shakespeare, but Austen.
On 1/21/26 12:18 PM, James Nicoll wrote:https://reactormag.com/adventures-in-the-public-domain-on-updating-out-of -copyright-works/
Adventures in the Public Domain: On Updating Out-of-Copyright Works
Should we attempt to bring older works into the modern age?
No "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies? ;)
On Thu, 22 Jan 2026 10:15:06 -0500, Tony Nance <tnusenet17@gmail.com>
wrote:
On 1/21/26 12:18 PM, James Nicoll wrote:
Adventures in the Public Domain: On Updating Out-of-Copyright Works
Should we attempt to bring older works into the modern age?
https://reactormag.com/adventures-in-the-public-domain-on-updating-out-of-copyright-works/
No "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies? ;)
Well, there /was/ /Rosenkrantz and Guilderstern Are Undead/, a modern
film riffing on the historical drama /Rosenkrantz and Guilderstern Are
Dead/.
Let's just say the overall quality left something to be desired.
So, generally speaking, no. /Clueless/ being an exception.
In article <10ks8ia$2mj8p$1@dont-email.me>, Titus G <noone@nowhere.com> wrote:
I suspect William Hyde's young M. Dumas is Alexandre Dumas.
Even though it was Dumas Pere who wrote the book, and not the kid.
--scott
In article <10ks8ia$2mj8p$1@dont-email.me>, Titus G <noone@nowhere.com> wrote:
I suspect William Hyde's young M. Dumas is Alexandre Dumas.
Even though it was Dumas Pere who wrote the book, and not the kid.
In the "young M. Dumas", "M," stands for Monsieur. Earlier we were told
that the author is French.
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