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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
I did not expect to give a Pride and Prejudice spin off 5 stars as I love the original so much but this is a magnificent read. Told from the point of view of Mary who is so often portrayed and dull and insipid but here she is painted with such a depth of character that I grew to really love her. Covers themes of belonging and acceptance, how words can crush and hold is back, and how people thrive when truly loved and supported.
A clever extension of the people of Pride and Prejudice , written in an authentic voice Jane Austin may recognise. The premise that clever but not attractive young women found it difficult to marry when marriage was the only real economic solution to women. Mary battles against the morals and expectations and the resolution is satisfying and consistent with her ideas. A good and long story where you can enter into the feeling of the main characters
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
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:
Yes
A different twist on a P&P retelling. I thought the first half was good, but the story really dragged once Mary gets to London.
The characters are nicely drawn (with the exception of Mrs Bennett), and there's even the traditional Austenesque rouge. I liked how the author describes and develops Mary. You can see how this Mary and P&P Mary are the same person at the beginning of the book, and you understand her character in each. However, Mrs Bennett has become a mean old lady instead of the foolish woman she was in P&P.
Also the book does lack the humor of P&P, but I suppose that's because Mary is a more serious character (?)
The characters are nicely drawn (with the exception of Mrs Bennett), and there's even the traditional Austenesque rouge. I liked how the author describes and develops Mary. You can see how this Mary and P&P Mary are the same person at the beginning of the book, and you understand her character in each. However, Mrs Bennett has become a mean old lady instead of the foolish woman she was in P&P.
Also the book does lack the humor of P&P, but I suppose that's because Mary is a more serious character (?)
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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:
Yes
I don't know about hard-core Janeites (who are fervent believers, much like religiously converted people are usually more pious than those born into the faith), but I do think Jane Austen would have approved of this companion book to Pride & Prejudice, told from the point-of-view of Mary Bennet, the oftentimes overlooked middle sister. What a touching coming-of-age story!
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:
Complicated
Blown away by how well done and enjoyable this was. If you are a fan of Pride & Prejudice, I cannot recommend this book more. It seamlessly fits into Austen's world. All the characters are true to their original selves: some are redeemed in heartwarming ways, while others double down on their villainous origins.
I also highly recommend the audiobook! The narrator was lovely.
I also highly recommend the audiobook! The narrator was lovely.
This novel has its faults. It's too wordy and too long, Mary's peculiar behaviour on Scafell Pike goes against her sensible character and isn't totally believable, and the hero gives a very weak explanation in the final pages for his rather cruel and self-absorbed actions. However, the author's sincerity and her deep love of the source material are obvious throughout, and I kept turning the pages!
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes