Reviews

La sorella dimenticata by Janice Hadlow

zbmorgan's review against another edition

5.0

The closest thing you will get to more Jane Austen. Hadlow's debut novel focuses on Mary, the unloved, awkward butt of even her family's jokes. Mary isn't done yet though, and after her sisters are married off, she sends herself on an intellectual and eventually emotional quest, staying with first the Bingleys, then The Collins's, and eventually Mr. & Mrs. Gardiner. Satisfying and believable, you will root for Mary from page one once you know what was really going on in her head and heart.

rosiefpb's review against another edition

3.0

A four star story but lost a star for being so bloody long. Pride and prejudice but from Mary's perspective and her life after the original book ends, the writing wasn't quite Austen but it was enjoyable and engaging. Just so dispiriting to have been reading it for like a week and not even be halfway through. Felt like a proper battle to finish it.

katiejean12's review against another edition

5.0

10 stars! I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. For being Janice’s first novel even written, she did an amazing job! I was intrigued throughout and felt as if I was there. The imagery was special and exciting!

lostinfrance's review against another edition

3.0

Finally a book inspired by Pride and Prejudice that didn't make me cringe! :)

This book was well written and author didn't seem to hate any of the characters....and she gave Mary her own story that mostly fit with Austen's original novel. Mary finds herself desperate for a home- away from her mother and not a nuisance. She tests out her options and finally ends up at the Gardiners- where she is treated as an adult....and she meets her own suitors. She goes for some outings, mixes up with some villains and falls (maybe) for a man (finally?). It was nice to see a different perspective of this very undeveloped character.

Read if you love Austen.

PopSugar Reading Challenge 2023: A book you meant to read in 2022 (or for a really long time HA!)

haz_bookshelf's review against another edition

hopeful inspiring reflective 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? No

4.5

stirlitza's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective relaxing slow-paced

3.5

jasonmango's review against another edition

reflective relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Took me months to finish this book as I really struggled to get past the beginning. 20 hours was too long for it and it dragged with Mary being an annoying righteous bore at the beginning, I only really started to enjoy it once she loosened up a bit. Much preferred the last 8 hours, which were more enjoyable and Mary had finally become vaguely likeable. However it kind of felt like Jane Austen tone without Jane Austen wit. The redeeming funniness of Mrs Bennett is gone in this version as she is cruel and annoying, and there weren’t any new funny characters added. 

xflowerfairyx's review against another edition

lighthearted 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? No

4.5

siobhanmcb's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing sad tense 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

4.5

lesenderweise's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful 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