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A review by quiteliterary
The Other Bennet Sister by Janice Hadlow
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
This was unnecessarily lengthy. First 150 or so pages are literally just events that took place before and during P&P from Mary’s POV. I am a firm believer that you should not force yourself to finish a book you aren’t enjoying but I was curious about Mary so I decided to give this a chance (or more) and pressured myself in trying not to DNF…
And you might want to make yourself real comfortable if you choose to do the same because it takes forever for us to get to her character development. Yes, it exists but you’ll find your patience wearing thin. From the speed, length, Mary’s insecurities to the people around her. What pushed me to finish was that, we do witness her journey and gradual growth in every part. I was locked in by the mid of part three.
Reading the way people, especially her family, treated Mary makes you want to fling the book across the room. You find yourself wanting to shake them, especially Mr Bennet or Lizzy, awake when you realise that her isolation and disinterest stemmed from the love and kindness she never received, and yet still yearned for years later. While the length of this book gnawed at my brain, I also find myself growing fond of Mary. Most times confused with pity. I wanted so badly for her to find happiness and connection. I was cheering on her to get away from everyone that she knew.
The Gardiner family was like the missing puzzle piece she needed to find. Mr and Mrs Gardiner were everything her parents were not. The scenes between Mary and the family were a breath of fresh air. Especially ones with Mrs Gardiner. She bloomed and grew so much in their presence, care and love. The romance was a joy (and frustration) to follow. From being told by her mother and others that she will remain spinster her whole life to finding herself in a love triangle.
While Mary does stay true to herself throughout the whole story, you eventually forget that Mary was ever the timid and plain person she once was when we first met her. You forget that she is the plain and quiet Bennet sister we all know from Jane Austen’s novel.
And you might want to make yourself real comfortable if you choose to do the same because it takes forever for us to get to her character development. Yes, it exists but you’ll find your patience wearing thin. From the speed, length, Mary’s insecurities to the people around her. What pushed me to finish was that, we do witness her journey and gradual growth in every part. I was locked in by the mid of part three.
Reading the way people, especially her family, treated Mary makes you want to fling the book across the room. You find yourself wanting to shake them, especially Mr Bennet or Lizzy, awake when you realise that her isolation and disinterest stemmed from the love and kindness she never received, and yet still yearned for years later. While the length of this book gnawed at my brain, I also find myself growing fond of Mary. Most times confused with pity. I wanted so badly for her to find happiness and connection. I was cheering on her to get away from everyone that she knew.
The Gardiner family was like the missing puzzle piece she needed to find. Mr and Mrs Gardiner were everything her parents were not. The scenes between Mary and the family were a breath of fresh air. Especially ones with Mrs Gardiner. She bloomed and grew so much in their presence, care and love. The romance was a joy (and frustration) to follow. From being told by her mother and others that she will remain spinster her whole life to finding herself in a love triangle.
While Mary does stay true to herself throughout the whole story, you eventually forget that Mary was ever the timid and plain person she once was when we first met her. You forget that she is the plain and quiet Bennet sister we all know from Jane Austen’s novel.