Call number
FIC HAD
Collection
Genres
Publication
Henry Holt and Co. (2020), 480 pages
Description
Fiction. Literature. Romance. Historical Fiction. HTML: "Jane fans rejoice! . . . Exceptional storytelling and a true delight." �Helen Simonson, author of the New York Times bestselling novels Major Pettigrew's Last Stand and The Summer Before the War Mary, the bookish ugly duckling of Pride and Prejudice's five Bennet sisters, emerges from the shadows and transforms into a desired woman with choices of her own.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 Janice Hadlow's The Other Bennet Sister, a debut novel with exactly the affection and authority to satisfy Jane Austen fans. Ultimately, Mary's journey is like that taken by every Austen heroine. She learns that she can only expect joy when she has accepted who she really is. She must throw off the false expectations and wrong ideas that have combined to obscure her true nature and prevented her from what makes her happy. Only when she undergoes this evolution does she have a chance at finding fulfillment; only then does she have the clarity to recognize her partner when he presents himself�and only at that moment is she genuinely worthy of love. Mary's destiny diverges from that of her sisters. It does not involve broad acres or landed gentry. But it does include a man; and, as in all Austen novels, Mary must decide whether he is the truly the one for her. In The Other Bennet Sister, Mary is a fully rounded character�complex, conflicted, and often uncertain; but also vulnerable, supremely sympathetic, and ultimately the protagonist of an uncommonly satisfying debut novel. A Macmillan Audio production from Henry Holt and Company.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member nancyadair
All any of us want is a little attention, she thought...~from The Other Bennett Sister by Janice Hadlow
Poor Mary Bennett, the 'ugly duckling' sister, the comic foil, the forgotten and ignored child! Portrayed in film as squinting, clueless, socially inept, pseudo-intellectual, and plain.
Her story
Janice Hadlow's debut novel The Other Bennett Sister channels Austen's character Mary Bennett, imagining a worthy character who lives into a richer life. The novel shows inspiration from Austen's story and themes yet Hadlow develops the story in an original way, true to the historical time and setting.
Themes of self-realization, self-recreation, learning through error, prejudice and pride, sense and sensibility are all a part of Mary's path.
The first part of the book follows Pride and Prejudice from Mary's perspective. Those of us familiar with Austen's novel must be patient; the best is to come. We do learn that Mary had taken to reading theology and philosophy hoping for her father's approval.
After her sisters, including Kitty, are married and Mr. Bennett has passed, twenty-year-old Mary and Mrs. Bennett are dependent on the rich sisters. Miss Bingley takes out her disappointment on Mary with whispered jabs. And the Darcy household is too happy and perfect to easily allow her room. In desperation, Mary turns to the Gardiners. They offer Mary the example of a happy marriage, value her for herself, and provide good counsel.
When Mary is convinced to select a new wardrobe to better suit London society, I loved the descriptions of spotted and stripped and sprigged muslins, the fad colors of coromandel and jonquil, the green dress that will replace the dull colors that had allowed Mary to previously disappear into the woodwork.
In her simple elegance, Mary takes her place in society and attracts the attention of several men. One combines good sense and steadiness with a love of poetry. The other embraces free-thinking and prefers the pursuit of sensation as life's goal.
She meets men with a love of the novel. I love the many references to the literature and poetry that arises in conversation:
William Godwin's Poetic Justice
Mary Wollstonecraft
Lord Byron and Shelley
Tintern Abbey and We Are Seven by William Wordsworth; also his Guide to the Lakes
Evelina by Fanny Burney
Tom Jones by Henry Fielding
Pamela and Sir Charles Grandison by Samuel Richardson
I loved how the Romantic Era makes its impact on her life with Mary's (unsuitable) beau extolling feeling and sensation and rejecting cultural expectations and values, especially concerning the role of women and marriage as a socio-economic compromise.
Our lives are so brief and yet we spend so much of them obeying rules we did not make.~ from The Other Bennett Sister by Janice Hadlow
Mary early prefers the steady man. But his reticence leaves Mary to be persuaded into unwise decisions.
This landscape gives us a proper sense of perspective. It shows us our smallness in the great scheme of things.~ from The Other Bennett Sister by Janice Hadlow
The Gardiners take that trip to the Lake District they had once planned for Elizabeth; Mary's preferred beau accompanies them while the other just shows up.
Before she came to the Lakes, she had read a great deal about the subline--sights so extraordinary they could not be adequately described, only felt and experienced. She had never expected to feel for herself such an extraordinary consummation.~ from The Other Bennett Sister by Janice Hadlow
...they caught sight of the great lake at Windermere; then they were quiet, for it was a sight magnificent enough to silence anyone.~ from The Other Bennett Sister
The group decides to walk up the second largest mountain in England. It is a rocky climb that will last all day--and threatens Mary's future happiness.
The romance has enough twists and turns for any Austen lover, with the satisfaction of a happy ending. This is not a plot giveaway--any Austen fan fiction must have it's happily ever after.
Hadlow has given us a fantastic read.
I was given access to a free egalley by the publisher through NetGalley. My review is fair and unbiased.
Poor Mary Bennett, the 'ugly duckling' sister, the comic foil, the forgotten and ignored child! Portrayed in film as squinting, clueless, socially inept, pseudo-intellectual, and plain.
Her story
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must be depressing. She watches her older sisters marry well for love, and her silliest, youngest sister at least snags a handsome rake. Even Charlotte Lucas gets her ever after--happy to have a home if not Mr. Collins as a mate.Janice Hadlow's debut novel The Other Bennett Sister channels Austen's character Mary Bennett, imagining a worthy character who lives into a richer life. The novel shows inspiration from Austen's story and themes yet Hadlow develops the story in an original way, true to the historical time and setting.
Themes of self-realization, self-recreation, learning through error, prejudice and pride, sense and sensibility are all a part of Mary's path.
The first part of the book follows Pride and Prejudice from Mary's perspective. Those of us familiar with Austen's novel must be patient; the best is to come. We do learn that Mary had taken to reading theology and philosophy hoping for her father's approval.
After her sisters, including Kitty, are married and Mr. Bennett has passed, twenty-year-old Mary and Mrs. Bennett are dependent on the rich sisters. Miss Bingley takes out her disappointment on Mary with whispered jabs. And the Darcy household is too happy and perfect to easily allow her room. In desperation, Mary turns to the Gardiners. They offer Mary the example of a happy marriage, value her for herself, and provide good counsel.
When Mary is convinced to select a new wardrobe to better suit London society, I loved the descriptions of spotted and stripped and sprigged muslins, the fad colors of coromandel and jonquil, the green dress that will replace the dull colors that had allowed Mary to previously disappear into the woodwork.
In her simple elegance, Mary takes her place in society and attracts the attention of several men. One combines good sense and steadiness with a love of poetry. The other embraces free-thinking and prefers the pursuit of sensation as life's goal.
She meets men with a love of the novel. I love the many references to the literature and poetry that arises in conversation:
William Godwin's Poetic Justice
Mary Wollstonecraft
Lord Byron and Shelley
Tintern Abbey and We Are Seven by William Wordsworth; also his Guide to the Lakes
Evelina by Fanny Burney
Tom Jones by Henry Fielding
Pamela and Sir Charles Grandison by Samuel Richardson
I loved how the Romantic Era makes its impact on her life with Mary's (unsuitable) beau extolling feeling and sensation and rejecting cultural expectations and values, especially concerning the role of women and marriage as a socio-economic compromise.
Our lives are so brief and yet we spend so much of them obeying rules we did not make.~ from The Other Bennett Sister by Janice Hadlow
Mary early prefers the steady man. But his reticence leaves Mary to be persuaded into unwise decisions.
This landscape gives us a proper sense of perspective. It shows us our smallness in the great scheme of things.~ from The Other Bennett Sister by Janice Hadlow
The Gardiners take that trip to the Lake District they had once planned for Elizabeth; Mary's preferred beau accompanies them while the other just shows up.
Before she came to the Lakes, she had read a great deal about the subline--sights so extraordinary they could not be adequately described, only felt and experienced. She had never expected to feel for herself such an extraordinary consummation.~ from The Other Bennett Sister by Janice Hadlow
...they caught sight of the great lake at Windermere; then they were quiet, for it was a sight magnificent enough to silence anyone.~ from The Other Bennett Sister
The group decides to walk up the second largest mountain in England. It is a rocky climb that will last all day--and threatens Mary's future happiness.
The romance has enough twists and turns for any Austen lover, with the satisfaction of a happy ending. This is not a plot giveaway--any Austen fan fiction must have it's happily ever after.
Hadlow has given us a fantastic read.
I was given access to a free egalley by the publisher through NetGalley. My review is fair and unbiased.
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LibraryThing member kgramer
I love a good adaptation and wasn't disappointed with this book. The focus was on probably the least known Bennet sister, and it really brought her to life.
LibraryThing member ecataldi
I'm glad to see Mary Bennet finally get her due! And not any meager scraps; this impressive tome is nearly 500 pages! Broken into 4 parts, the first part to me was the most dull as it dealt with the story that Janeites already know so well; Pride and Prejudice. It tells the story through Mary's
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eyes and we see how willing she is to take on Mr. Collins, befriend Charlotte Lucas and impress her parents. Once we get past that, we're in all new territory. As the only unmarried daughter, once her father dies she has no permanent address. She must look to her sisters for charity. It's a low point in Mary's life. She is penniless, unmarried, and the ugliest and dullest of her sisters. But finally, her situation changes, and she meets not just one man, but two! They both find her witty, they love her booksmarts, and they don't compare her to her sisters! A little wordy and slow, but very engaging. A must for any Janeite!! Show Less
LibraryThing member brangwinn
I knew I’d never match the other vivacious, beautiful sisters in Pride and Prejudice. My identity was much closer to the bookish Mary. Not that my mother ever scorned me because I needed eye spectacles, but because if left to my own entertainment, I’d much rather be reading and learning than to
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participate in social chitchat. I spent the first half of the book watching Mary and worrying about her choices, knowing they weren’t in her best interests. Halfway through the book, with the support of her mother’s sister in London, Mary came into her own and, of course, all ended well. Well written in the style of Jane Austin, it doesn’t quite have the social satire Austin’s writings emit, but still it’s a good story about the forgotten Bennet sister. Show Less
LibraryThing member LadyoftheLodge
“The Other Bennett Sister” allows readers to imagine what the life of Mary Bennett might have been like. Of the Bennett sisters in the original and famous Austen novel, Mary plays the most unobtrusive role. This book is totally devoted to this obscure sister. Divided into four parts, the book
Although the book seemed slow at times, I still wanted to read on to find our what happened to our heroine. I disliked her willingness to be subjugated and verbally abused by her family at the start of the book. However, Mary is vindicated as her character develops and she finds her welcome place in her aunt’s attractive and comfortable house, in the heart of London’s witty society. “Janeites” will certainly appreciate this addition to the Austen cannon.
I received this book from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
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shows the progress of Mary from the scholarly, ignored young woman, to a strong and insightful mature lady, sure of herself, her unique gifts, and her role in society.Although the book seemed slow at times, I still wanted to read on to find our what happened to our heroine. I disliked her willingness to be subjugated and verbally abused by her family at the start of the book. However, Mary is vindicated as her character develops and she finds her welcome place in her aunt’s attractive and comfortable house, in the heart of London’s witty society. “Janeites” will certainly appreciate this addition to the Austen cannon.
I received this book from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
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LibraryThing member lmsgirl
Mary, the Bennet sister that few people gave much thought to, finally gets her own story. Ms Hadlow brings Mary to life and makes her someone we cheer for and would like to know. Mary finds her true voice, her courage to be herself, and her happy ending. A book I would recommend to Austin fans.
LibraryThing member sprainedbrain
Janice Hadlow is to be commended: she has so well captured that special Austen style that reading The Other Bennet Sister was very much like reading one of Jane’s own novels. That is a wonderful thing, as far as I’m concerned, and this book was an absolute delight to read.
Hadlow takes Mary as
I’ve always been a Mary fan, and I love the way Hadlow has expanded her character. At various points while reading this book, I was heartbroken for Mary, angry at her and immensely proud of her. If you’re the kind of reader who felt sympathy for Mrs. Bennet, though, this book may not be for you. I was steaming mad at her every time she was around. I enjoyed the glimpses we got of the Bingleys, the Darcys, the Collinses, Hill, and especially the Gardiners, who finally got their trip to the lake country. Oh, and Caroline Bingley is still around to annoy the hell out of everyone. I also loved the new characters that Mary meets in London.
The writing is brilliant, the story is fantastically satisfying, and I loved being immersed in Austen’s world again. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves Jane Austen, Pride & Prejudice, regency era stories, or just plain great books.
Hadlow takes Mary as
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Austen created her and gives a little more backstory—we see why, by the time Netherfield was let at last, Mary behaved in the way she did. We then experience the events of Pride & Prejudice through Mary’s eyes, including the often-speculated Mr. Collins/Mary match, before jumping forward 2 years and following Mary as she embarks on her own life away from her mother.I’ve always been a Mary fan, and I love the way Hadlow has expanded her character. At various points while reading this book, I was heartbroken for Mary, angry at her and immensely proud of her. If you’re the kind of reader who felt sympathy for Mrs. Bennet, though, this book may not be for you. I was steaming mad at her every time she was around. I enjoyed the glimpses we got of the Bingleys, the Darcys, the Collinses, Hill, and especially the Gardiners, who finally got their trip to the lake country. Oh, and Caroline Bingley is still around to annoy the hell out of everyone. I also loved the new characters that Mary meets in London.
The writing is brilliant, the story is fantastically satisfying, and I loved being immersed in Austen’s world again. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves Jane Austen, Pride & Prejudice, regency era stories, or just plain great books.
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LibraryThing member quirkylibrarian
Charming, highly readable and nice to see the oft-ignored Mary explored of her own right.
LibraryThing member Vesper1931
This P&P variation begins with Mary's childhood, and the discovery that she is plain. The emotional abuse that Mrs Bennet afflicts on Mary affects her so much she withdraws from Jane and Elizabeth, thinking herself unworthy.
Then two years pass after Charlotte's wedding. It is now time Mary must
Really enjoyed this delightful well-written story of my favourite Bennet daughter.
Then two years pass after Charlotte's wedding. It is now time Mary must
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decide what to do, as she visits, Jane, where Caroline is cruel to her, then Pemberley where Darcy makes her feel unwelcome then to the Collins' at Longbourn. But can the Gardiners save her, and offer her at the very least some peace.Really enjoyed this delightful well-written story of my favourite Bennet daughter.
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LibraryThing member AliceaP
I had a lot of high hopes for this one which is why it lingered so long on my TRL but in the end I just didn't love the depiction of Mary (or the slow writing pace). I read another adaptation that focused on this character that (in my opinion) was a lot more interesting to read. (It's Mary B. by
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Katherine Chen if you're interested.) Show Less
LibraryThing member wyvernfriend
This takes the neglected middle Bennet sister, Mary, and creates her story, she's known as plain and not remarkable but this shows her finding her love, finding her stor. It's interesting and I enjoyed it but it only really started to become interesting after the events of the original story. There
Well researched homage to the original.
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was rather a lot of self-pity involved in the story and sometimes she seemed to be tormented for plot reasons. It does show the complicated lives single women had in the period.Well researched homage to the original.
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LibraryThing member sanyamakadi
Alternated between being really enjoyable and really boring. I liked the deep dive into Mary’s personality but sometimes it got tiresome to read everyone’s continual abuse of her. And no one liked Caroline Bingley the first time, we don’t need to see her again!
LibraryThing member ponsonby
One has to admire the industry of the author of this long (650 pages) book about the destiny of plain Mary Bennet, the odd one out of the Bennet sisters from P&P. It follows a logical structure, showing Mary trying to deal with her sisters and mother in the years soon after P&P takes place, then
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replaying some of P&P from her point of view when Mr Collins is there, then her staying with Charlotte Lucas at Longbourn (hint) and then the healing effect of going to stay with Aunt Gardiner. I think it's fair to say that the book is at its strongest in the sections which are furthest awat from the original, in particular the last parts dealing with her time in London and the Lake District with the Gardiners. These are very good. It's a bit more laboured in the first sections. But overall for fans of P&P very well worth taking the time to read it. Worth noting that in most of the book Hadlow makes to no attempt to write in Austenesque language (though it isn't 'modern' either), and all the better for that. Show Less
Awards
NPR: Books We Love (2020)
ISBN
1250129419 / 9781250129413