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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
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
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
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
lara_bk's review against another edition
hopeful
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? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming
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
hmatt's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
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
4.75
Wow, the turmoil over whether to make this a 5-star read or not. Mostly because I've never been so particular before, so it skews my previous reviews. Oh well.
This was so genuine to Pride and Prejudice, which is mostly to its complement but is also the reason it's not a full 5 stars for me. I've read quite a few Austen adaptations at this point and most are reimaginings, but this is straight up an alternate future set in the same universe as the original. The style of writing is true-to-period, as are all the plot points and conventions throughout. It's honestly remarkable in that sense.
Alas, I felt the romance started to resemble P & P just a tad too much in parts.
This was so genuine to Pride and Prejudice, which is mostly to its complement but is also the reason it's not a full 5 stars for me. I've read quite a few Austen adaptations at this point and most are reimaginings, but this is straight up an alternate future set in the same universe as the original. The style of writing is true-to-period, as are all the plot points and conventions throughout. It's honestly remarkable in that sense.
Alas, I felt the romance started to resemble P & P just a tad too much in parts.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, and Sexism
Minor: Death of parent
Most warnings refer to period-typical occurrences