A review by printemps_is
The Other Bennet Sister by Janice Hadlow

4.0

Mary's story told in an impressively Austenesque way, but introducing new elements that extend Austen's world into the professions, London and a Wordsworth inspired philosophy of spirit. Mary's dilemma is to marry for comfort or wait for love and risk becoming an 'old maid'. I'm disappointed that we didn't get to see her experience as a Thornback or a Liberated Painmother. At least Miss Allen could have been drawn out more as a character to show this perspective instead of serving as a scarecrow for bachelorettes. Consequently I interpreted the ending of this book as a tragedy of Freidanian proportions, which is the only way I can read the final line about wallpaper.