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writer_egreene's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Emotional abuse, and Classism
Moderate: Death of parent
cheekylaydee's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-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? It's complicated
5.0
I've read this several times now and it is honestly the best Austen retelling I've encountered. It actually succeeds in taking Pride and Prejudice and by telling it from Mary Benett's point of view allows the reader to experience it in a way that will forever alter your view of the original.
It really is an extraordinary piece of work. Those of us that know P&P well will recognise the events that take place in the first half of the book but we experience them from a different POV making you look at Mary (arguably the most underdeveloped of Austen's Bennett sisters in terms of character) in a completely new light.
You feel sympathy and understanding when you realise where some of her opinions and actions have come from and you find yourself feeling sorry for her especially when it comes to her futile attempts to please a mother that can see no deeper that outside appearances.
However it is the second half of the book when Mary really comes into her own. Once her sisters have made their fortuitous marriages and the death of Mr Bennett brings about the entailment of Longbourn. Mary has to find her place in the world as a woman of no consequence and without the good looks and sparkling personalities of her four sisters to help her catch an eligible man.
She is so much more than a studious bookworm. She is smart and steady, sensible and loyal. She's brave and true and she has a mountain to climb when it comes to building up self esteem that has been trodden into the ground. Mary Bennett is our true heroine.
It really is an extraordinary piece of work. Those of us that know P&P well will recognise the events that take place in the first half of the book but we experience them from a different POV making you look at Mary (arguably the most underdeveloped of Austen's Bennett sisters in terms of character) in a completely new light.
You feel sympathy and understanding when you realise where some of her opinions and actions have come from and you find yourself feeling sorry for her especially when it comes to her futile attempts to please a mother that can see no deeper that outside appearances.
However it is the second half of the book when Mary really comes into her own. Once her sisters have made their fortuitous marriages and the death of Mr Bennett brings about the entailment of Longbourn. Mary has to find her place in the world as a woman of no consequence and without the good looks and sparkling personalities of her four sisters to help her catch an eligible man.
She is so much more than a studious bookworm. She is smart and steady, sensible and loyal. She's brave and true and she has a mountain to climb when it comes to building up self esteem that has been trodden into the ground. Mary Bennett is our true heroine.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming and Bullying
helena_chris's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
5.0
This is just amazing. To see Mary change her character under the encouraging circumstances of a different location was so satisfying to read. I really hope the writer considers writing more fiction books!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying
wickedgrumpy's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is exactly what I was hoping it would be. It didn’t dwell too long into the established time frame that was present in pride and prejudice but more so on the lead up, as well as the aftermath with the oft forgot Mary. It was well done, and even took some turns that I didn’t expect, but appreciated.
The discussion on family ties and sisterly bonds being strained, the desire of your parent to bestow affection upon you, rather than neglect (at best)…. Some hard hits were had and I shed some tears.
I can see myself rereading this sometime in the future.
The discussion on family ties and sisterly bonds being strained, the desire of your parent to bestow affection upon you, rather than neglect (at best)…. Some hard hits were had and I shed some tears.
I can see myself rereading this sometime in the future.
Content Warnings
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Classism
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: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, 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
librarybookfamily'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
molly_appleby's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
Loved this !! Only criticism was that it could have been far shorter ahaha.
Beautiful characterisation of Mary who is woefully underdeveloped and 2D in canon. She feels sad and human and relatable in a way that many Austen (and other classics authors) heroines do not. Beautifully captures the mundane and trivial yet precarious and concerning position of an unmarried middle/upper class woman at this time. Super interesting to see her freedom/restriction.
Well worth a re read, perhaps in audiobook form ?
Beautiful characterisation of Mary who is woefully underdeveloped and 2D in canon. She feels sad and human and relatable in a way that many Austen (and other classics authors) heroines do not. Beautifully captures the mundane and trivial yet precarious and concerning position of an unmarried middle/upper class woman at this time. Super interesting to see her freedom/restriction.
Well worth a re read, perhaps in audiobook form ?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Body shaming, Mental illness, and Misogyny
Minor: Classism
aqtbenz's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
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? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying
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