bohemianhermit04's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I’ve only watch the movie Pride and Prejudice (2005), but Mary has always been my favorite Bennet sister! This book is for the introverted, the analyzers of social cues, and anyone of the path of learning to love themselves. Mary’s journey is very relatable! Listening to the audiobook gave me so much joy during my cross-stitch sessions. An absolute delight!
Content Warnings
Minor: Emotional abuse, Alcohol, Classism, and Death of parent
mariamsaidwhat's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
everything i could have hoped for
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Bullying, Emotional abuse, and Classism
danajoy's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.25
What would become of Mary Bennet?
By the end of Pride and Prejudice 3 of her 4 sisters are married. The only other unwed is younger and much more agreeable and handsome so it is fair to assume she wouldn't struggle to find a match.
Bookish, awkward and plain Mary's prospects don't seem to align.
This novel explores the future for the other Bennet sister, starting from before the events of the source material and building on it.
Would it be wrong to call this book fanfiction? The whole gang is back, with some notable new additions. I love Jane Austen's novel and it was lovely to return to the world. A lot of the original story is glossed over and while it could probably be consumed separately to the original this is clearly intended to be a companion.
The story ponders philosophy and the concept of happiness. Mary is very studious and a lot of very notable texts and poets are discussed.
It feels safe to return to a familiar family. Mary is a fine protagonist and comes into her own.
It just didn't quite have the magic of the original or the same degree of sharp wit. I missed Lizzy and Darcy.
By the end of Pride and Prejudice 3 of her 4 sisters are married. The only other unwed is younger and much more agreeable and handsome so it is fair to assume she wouldn't struggle to find a match.
Bookish, awkward and plain Mary's prospects don't seem to align.
This novel explores the future for the other Bennet sister, starting from before the events of the source material and building on it.
Would it be wrong to call this book fanfiction? The whole gang is back, with some notable new additions. I love Jane Austen's novel and it was lovely to return to the world. A lot of the original story is glossed over and while it could probably be consumed separately to the original this is clearly intended to be a companion.
The story ponders philosophy and the concept of happiness. Mary is very studious and a lot of very notable texts and poets are discussed.
It feels safe to return to a familiar family. Mary is a fine protagonist and comes into her own.
It just didn't quite have the magic of the original or the same degree of sharp wit. I missed Lizzy and Darcy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Death of parent
mlottermoser's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Death of parent
greenwillow77's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
A comforting, hopeful story that reminds the lead Mary Bennett “our happiness depends on ourselves”. It is joyful to watch the development of a character who appears in Austen as plain & bookish into someone more well rounded & full of her own anxieties, hopes & passions.
Mary isn’t alone in receiving this attention; Mr & Mrs Bennett, Lydia, Mr Collins, the younger Miss Bingley & Charlotte Lucas all become more fully fleshed out by means of this novel. The author’s eye is keen, the details rich, & the journey from Mary’s beginnings a satisfying one.
Mary isn’t alone in receiving this attention; Mr & Mrs Bennett, Lydia, Mr Collins, the younger Miss Bingley & Charlotte Lucas all become more fully fleshed out by means of this novel. The author’s eye is keen, the details rich, & the journey from Mary’s beginnings a satisfying one.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming
Minor: Death of parent
catherine_t's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Jane Austen set out a path for Mary, the middle Bennet daughter, at the end of Pride and Prejudice, that of the unmarried aunt. Janice Hadlow, however, has imagined a much different ending for the plain Bennet sister.
Mary has lived in the shadow of her beautiful older sisters, Jane and Elizabeth, and her lively younger sisters, Catherine and Lydia, for as long as she can remember. Now all of them are married, much to their mother's satisfaction, but Mary remains unwed. Plain and bookish, she sees no future for herself but that of her mother's companion, now that her father is dead. Desperate to escape such a grim fate, Mary first flees to Pemberley, but finds little welcome there. After a brief stay with the Collinses at Longbourn, she makes her way to her aunt and uncle Gardiner's home in Gracechurch Street, in the heart of bustling Regency London.
Here a new world and a new path open to her. But will she have the courage and the determination to take it?
I am an unashamed Janeite, and The Other Bennet Sister has been on my wishlist since I heard about it during the pandemic, through one of the”Austen Wednesdays” presentations from the Jane Austen House Museum. (Check them out; they're all on YouTube.) I wasn't sure what to think about the book at first, but before I was halfway through, I was cheering for Mary Bennet, who, frankly, is not my favourite character in Pride and Prejudice. Hadlow creates a full, rounded character out of Austen's broad strokes, a young woman caught in the mores and customs of her time yet yearning for more. Yes, there is romance here, but it's so much more than that. Mary wants to escape the dreadful future that seems to bear down upon her, but she's not willing to simply marry the first fellow who comes along. And I think Hadlow gives Mary the ending she deserves, much more than her originator did.
If you too believe that Austen gave Mary Bennet short shrift, you should read this book.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent
katiemcgregor's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I am so pleased to say that The Other Bennet Sister is far more than simply the promised retelling of Pride & Prejudice. As a matter of fact, it is roughly only the first third of the book that predates and takes place during the events of Austen's famous novel. The remainder of this book is truly Mary's story and takes on a life completely of it's own.
Hadlow does an incredible job of very quickly building Mary into a character the reader can root for. She does the same for several other supporting characters from Pride & Prejudice, giving thoughtful insight to their motivations and actions. For example, I quite enjoyed what she did with Mr. Collins' character. But really all of the characters, both preexisting and created purely for this novel, have depth and feel in character.
Mary herself goes through many phases of development and it is so satisfying to see her learn and grow into her own person. I found the romance to be absolutely charming and the conflict of be comprised of a familiar combination of the traditional issues we see in classic literature of the time. Hadlow exceeds at writing a spinoff novel that smoothly aligns itself with the work it is based upon, both in writing and content.
It has been quite some time since I have honestly been able to enjoy a novel for what it is rather that what I wish it to be. The Other Bennet Sister is a must read for fans of Pride & Prejudice.
Hadlow does an incredible job of very quickly building Mary into a character the reader can root for. She does the same for several other supporting characters from Pride & Prejudice, giving thoughtful insight to their motivations and actions. For example, I quite enjoyed what she did with Mr. Collins' character. But really all of the characters, both preexisting and created purely for this novel, have depth and feel in character.
Mary herself goes through many phases of development and it is so satisfying to see her learn and grow into her own person. I found the romance to be absolutely charming and the conflict of be comprised of a familiar combination of the traditional issues we see in classic literature of the time. Hadlow exceeds at writing a spinoff novel that smoothly aligns itself with the work it is based upon, both in writing and content.
It has been quite some time since I have honestly been able to enjoy a novel for what it is rather that what I wish it to be. The Other Bennet Sister is a must read for fans of Pride & Prejudice.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Classism
Moderate: Death of parent and Dysphoria
littlewishling's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Reading this felt like coming home. Hadlow brought some of my favourite character’s back to life from a new perspective and I loved every moment of it. It’s also made me want to give poetry a proper try.
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Emotional abuse, and Death of parent
rieviolet's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Body shaming and Misogyny
Minor: Death of parent
amibo's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying and Emotional abuse
Minor: Death of parent