Fun With Useless Prequels

When it comes to our favorite novels, a rich fictional universe and a memorable cast of characters often beg to be explored in further depth. But although everyone loves a good sequel (or five), prequels can be a bit of a toss-up, especially since it feels like many of our favorite books begin at just the right moment, with no additional backstory required.

But what if some of those classics did have a (totally useless and ridiculously titled) prequel? One that clearly illuminated nothing in the novel, but just began a little earlier? For example, a useless prequel to Gone with the Wind might be called Still Here, But the Wind Seems to Be Picking Up.

A useless prequel to The Last of the Mohicans would be The Second-to-Last of the Mohicans.

For Jonathan Swift’s classic, Gulliver’s Travels, we’re thinking Gulliver’s Packing List.

And for Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory? How about Charlie and the Nearby Industrially Zoned Land?

Can you think of a useless prequel to a beloved classic?