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6emptynotebooks's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, and Death of parent
Minor: Body shaming and Fatphobia
melluzyne's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, and Misogyny
themaciface's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.75
It’s not perfect by any means, being at leas a hundred pages too long but Hadlow made the character so endearing yet quite true to the original that I don’t care about the flaws at all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Emotional abuse
sangsmiles'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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying and Sexism
Minor: Death of parent
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
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