The Other Bennet Sister
What if Mary Bennet’s life took a different path from that laid out for her in Pride and Prejudice? What if the frustrated intellectual of the Bennet family, the marginalized middle daughter, the plain girl who takes refuge in her books, eventually found the fulfillment enjoyed by her prettier, more confident sisters? This is the plot of The Other Bennet Sister, a debut novel by Janice Hadlow with exactly the affection and authority to satisfy Austen fans.
When I initially read Pride and Prejudice, I didn’t think much about Elizabeth’s younger sister Mary. She wasn’t the leading lady, nor was she a main character in any of the family drama. Yet when I read the concept of Hadlow’s book, I was intrigued. I find I’m drawn to books that highlight “background” characters like Mary Bennet. Hadlow did an impressive job breathing life into the Bennet family wallflower. After the first few chapters, I felt a connection to Mary, and I wanted to see her get her happily ever after.
Hadlow added a great deal of detail to Mary’s story prior to the beginning of Pride, which I appreciated because it made the events of Austen’s story make sense from Mary’s perspective. But I especially enjoyed how Hadlow had Mary go to stay with her aunt and uncle on her mother’s side after her father died two years after the events of Pride ended. Mary used the opportunity for a fresh start to really analyze how her family’s opinion had diminished her self-confidence, and how she could change that and become the woman she wanted to be. It was a well-done transformation on Hadlow’s part.
One of my favourite things that Hadlow did was have Mary view different kinds of marriages and how they worked – or didn’t. From Lizzie and Mr. Darcy’s passion to Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner’s continuing affection, the reader got to see how Mary’s opinion on love and marriage changed throughout the book. I especially liked the chance to reconnect with the beloved Pride characters.
The Other Bennet Sister is an exceptional story about transformation and self-love. Fans of Jane Austen will thoroughly enjoy this book.
The Other Bennet Sister Rating: ★★★★★
When I initially read Pride and Prejudice, I didn’t think much about Elizabeth’s younger sister Mary. She wasn’t the leading lady, nor was she a main character in any of the family drama. Yet when I read the concept of Hadlow’s book, I was intrigued. I find I’m drawn to books that highlight “background” characters like Mary Bennet. Hadlow did an impressive job breathing life into the Bennet family wallflower. After the first few chapters, I felt a connection to Mary, and I wanted to see her get her happily ever after.
Hadlow added a great deal of detail to Mary’s story prior to the beginning of Pride, which I appreciated because it made the events of Austen’s story make sense from Mary’s perspective. But I especially enjoyed how Hadlow had Mary go to stay with her aunt and uncle on her mother’s side after her father died two years after the events of Pride ended. Mary used the opportunity for a fresh start to really analyze how her family’s opinion had diminished her self-confidence, and how she could change that and become the woman she wanted to be. It was a well-done transformation on Hadlow’s part.
One of my favourite things that Hadlow did was have Mary view different kinds of marriages and how they worked – or didn’t. From Lizzie and Mr. Darcy’s passion to Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner’s continuing affection, the reader got to see how Mary’s opinion on love and marriage changed throughout the book. I especially liked the chance to reconnect with the beloved Pride characters.
The Other Bennet Sister is an exceptional story about transformation and self-love. Fans of Jane Austen will thoroughly enjoy this book.
The Other Bennet Sister Rating: ★★★★★