Working titles of famous novels revealed

First Impressions Finished in 1796, Austen was unable to find a publisher fifteen years later after several revisions, hence the name change.

Mistress Mary The working title refers to the principal character. It relates to the children’s rhyme - with the line “how does your garden grow?”.

Nobody’s Fault The book was intended as a social commentary and the characters are all portrayed as victims of society rather than being at fault

Trimalchio in West Egg The original title made a reference that was too obscure - Trimalchio being a lead character in Petronius' 'Satyricon'

Strangers from Within The working title was considered too explicit and absurd so an editor came up with the Hebrew translation of 'Beelzebub'

Four and a Half Years of Struggle Against Lies, Stupidity and Cowardice Hitler gave it the grandiose title. His publisher suggested "My Struggle"

Atticus Lee decided that she didn't want her novel to be named after one of the most prominent characters alone.

Tomorrow is Another Day The original working title became famous as the last line of the novel

The Kingdom by the Sea Nabokov was heavily influenced by Poe's poem 'Annabel Lee', and the working title was taken from this poem

The Last Man in Europe Original title is thought to be a reflection of how isolated Orwell felt while writing it in near-solitude on the isle of Jura

Something That Happened The original title was chosen because of Steinbeck's idea that no-one can really be blamed for what happens in the novel.

All’s Well That Ends Well After choosing the title, Tolstoy then included more of a background to the wars that took place before 1863

A House of the Faith Waugh's initial title showed his desire to write the great Catholic novel of his age. But during revisions that element faded