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beckywiththegoodscare's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
sageofthewoods's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
4.5
philosophia's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.0
bookhound'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
I really enjoyed this version of Mary's party in the Bennet family and beyond the end of Pride and Prejudice. I loved seeing her growth and coming into her own as her sisters did. My only complaints are that she is so self-pitying for the first section that it was hard to read, and the book could have been shortened by half. Still, I'm glad to see May finally given her due.
emreadsmore's review against another edition
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
4.0
mimmykk's review against another edition
3.0
I'm not sure that this deserves the level of praise it seems to get but I did start to see it's charm and cleverness more as I read. Glad I kept going, the long set up in the first half does pay off in the end with a thoughtful and well crafted rethinking of the character in the second half. Not just a rehash of the old 'every girl can bag a nice husband' idea, which I did for a while worry it would be.
latte_reads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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 loved getting to know Mary as her own self. The only issue I had with this book was that at some times the pacing was a little slow and irregular.
stymieurgeson's review against another edition
5.0
Probably better than Pride and Prejudice itself. All the characters, familiar and new, are given a lot of depth. Mary makes for a great protagonist, and her journey is so interesting. A lot of the story, especially in the first half, is very sad, but it makes all the happy things later feel earned. This is more than just fan fiction; it's a great story in its own right.
tinaha083's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this! Pride and Prejudice is one of my favorite novels of all time, and Mary is a character to whom I never gave much thought, simply because Elizabeth Bennet never seemed to give her much thought. Janice Harlow seeks to correct this viewing of Mary, by showing us the world through her eyes.
What I liked about this book: I have far more sympathy for Mary now than I did before. When I reread P&P I will be able to add in her view to scenes I already know and love. She’s a very well-crafted and well-defined character here, with thoughts and feelings as acute as the rest of her sisters. I was furious with the treatment she received from her family, and it’s perfectly understandable that she would grow up seeking to put as much distance between her sisters and herself as possible, simply because it was made clear to her that she could never be what they were. I enjoyed seeing Mr. Collins and Charlotte from the new vantage point (more on that in a second), and I loved the overall journey she took. There is a great deal of self-exploration in this novel and we live in her head much as we live in Fanny Price’s head in Mansfield Park. She grows so much into a better version of herself here. I also enjoyed the larger role played by the Gardiners, and Mrs. Gardiner’s fondness for her niece shines through wonderfully. The writing style, for a large part of it, wonderfully follows Austen’s own and I feel that this is a an excellent first novel.
What I didn’t like: While she did remain true to the characters for the most part, I do feel that there were some areas where she derailed. Charlotte Lucas in particular suffers as a character for reasons I won’t go into. Mr. Collins is benefited, but Charlotte? I didn’t care for her character at all, and while that was the novel’s intent, I don’t feel like Austen would have approved of her iteration here. I also would have liked to see some interactions between the sisters as Mary is developing into a newer, more confident version of herself. They are as non-existent (especially Kitty) as she was in P&P, and while I (again) feel that this was the novel’s intent, I would have appreciated seeing them become closer as they all grew older. At least they could have communicated more. And then there was the ending. I felt like the ending became a bit of a mess, as it decided to turn itself more into a typical romance novel, than a comedy of manners and exploration of human nature. Mary ceases to act even slightly rationally, there is some romantic drama for no reason at all, and Mrs. Bennet and Caroline Bingley behave extremely badly, even for them. I was left scratching my head and wondering what happened, because suddenly everyone was behaving out of character. There is also a slight subplot involving Lady Catherine de Bourgh that doesn’t really serve a purpose.
However, for all that I really enjoyed it. I had the few difficulties with it, but I can honestly say that this is the first retelling I’ve ever actually liked. I now have far more genuine affection for Mary than I did before and I would consider this a good recommendation for fans of the original, as long as you don’t mind some alterations and inconsistencies.
What I liked about this book: I have far more sympathy for Mary now than I did before. When I reread P&P I will be able to add in her view to scenes I already know and love. She’s a very well-crafted and well-defined character here, with thoughts and feelings as acute as the rest of her sisters. I was furious with the treatment she received from her family, and it’s perfectly understandable that she would grow up seeking to put as much distance between her sisters and herself as possible, simply because it was made clear to her that she could never be what they were. I enjoyed seeing Mr. Collins and Charlotte from the new vantage point (more on that in a second), and I loved the overall journey she took. There is a great deal of self-exploration in this novel and we live in her head much as we live in Fanny Price’s head in Mansfield Park. She grows so much into a better version of herself here. I also enjoyed the larger role played by the Gardiners, and Mrs. Gardiner’s fondness for her niece shines through wonderfully. The writing style, for a large part of it, wonderfully follows Austen’s own and I feel that this is a an excellent first novel.
What I didn’t like: While she did remain true to the characters for the most part, I do feel that there were some areas where she derailed. Charlotte Lucas in particular suffers as a character for reasons I won’t go into. Mr. Collins is benefited, but Charlotte? I didn’t care for her character at all, and while that was the novel’s intent, I don’t feel like Austen would have approved of her iteration here. I also would have liked to see some interactions between the sisters as Mary is developing into a newer, more confident version of herself. They are as non-existent (especially Kitty) as she was in P&P, and while I (again) feel that this was the novel’s intent, I would have appreciated seeing them become closer as they all grew older. At least they could have communicated more. And then there was the ending. I felt like the ending became a bit of a mess, as it decided to turn itself more into a typical romance novel, than a comedy of manners and exploration of human nature. Mary ceases to act even slightly rationally, there is some romantic drama for no reason at all, and Mrs. Bennet and Caroline Bingley behave extremely badly, even for them. I was left scratching my head and wondering what happened, because suddenly everyone was behaving out of character. There is also a slight subplot involving Lady Catherine de Bourgh that doesn’t really serve a purpose.
However, for all that I really enjoyed it. I had the few difficulties with it, but I can honestly say that this is the first retelling I’ve ever actually liked. I now have far more genuine affection for Mary than I did before and I would consider this a good recommendation for fans of the original, as long as you don’t mind some alterations and inconsistencies.
sydanne14's review against another edition
4.5
This was delightful and everything I love about Jane Austen. I do think it's a bit long and there are a few references to other Jane Austen novels which undermines this being a story of Mary's own. Otherwise, I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know this character and seeing her love story.