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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
lighthearted
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
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I've read a surprisingly large number of Pride and Prejudice spin offs, from the left field (say, P&P& Zombies) to the abysmal (yes, the godawful Death Comes To Pemberley, I'm looking at you). A recent one, The Colonel's Spinster, is decent enough.
The Other Bennet Sister though is, imho, the best of the lot. It takes its time setting up the character of Mary, by weaving in events from P&P, before it follows threads that lead to updates in the lives of all the main characters in turn. But managing to find interest and sympathy in the most unexpected places, and pointing out flaws in characters you really don't expect (Lizzy and Darcy don't come out well). It also does a good job of illustrating the poor choices open to unmarried women at the time: flitting from one married sibling to another, never quite being welcome with any of them; Lady C offering to find Mary a job as a governess, because as a 'burden', what else could she do?; the relief of finding a relative who is happy to keep you...
The Other Bennet Sister though is, imho, the best of the lot. It takes its time setting up the character of Mary, by weaving in events from P&P, before it follows threads that lead to updates in the lives of all the main characters in turn. But managing to find interest and sympathy in the most unexpected places, and pointing out flaws in characters you really don't expect (Lizzy and Darcy don't come out well). It also does a good job of illustrating the poor choices open to unmarried women at the time: flitting from one married sibling to another, never quite being welcome with any of them; Lady C offering to find Mary a job as a governess, because as a 'burden', what else could she do?; the relief of finding a relative who is happy to keep you...
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was tediously long. It could have been half as short with better impact.
Content Warnings
Mary’s story. I like how they filled her out a little more than P&P does and how they explain her behavior and portrayals in adaptations. She has positive development but sometimes it was really frustrating to listen to.
Massive fan fiction. The author obviously loves Pride and Prejudice and Austen. This is about Mary, the plain Bennet sister, and what is means to grow up surrounded by beautiful sisters with a mother who values beauty above everything. The book is set over the same period as pride and prejudice then jumps two years. And follows Mary after her father has died and her mother and her have moved in with Jane. Mary then stay with Lizzy before needing to leave and stay with Charlotte. With Charlotte she befriends Mr Collins who is very unhappy in his marriage. Before again needing to leave and ending up with her aunt, Mrs Gardiner. There she is finally able to bloom and become comfortable in her skin. Two men form attachments towards her before the usual difficulties which are then resolved. The author has done well to write in the style of Austen. Though I feel the character of Mary has undergone a dramatic change.
this book is canon i think
4 stars because the beginning is very slow, it's basically P&P from Mary's POV. Reading this, I actually felt bad for all the times I've dogged on Mary even though she's literally a fictional character. There are a lot of pride and prejudice retellings and pride and prejudice "fanfiction" out there but this is one of the good ones. The prose felt so similar to Jane Austen and the author really nailed the character's mannerisms.
Be warned that this is a hefty book and it took me a good amount of time to read and digest
4 stars because the beginning is very slow, it's basically P&P from Mary's POV. Reading this, I actually felt bad for all the times I've dogged on Mary even though she's literally a fictional character. There are a lot of pride and prejudice retellings and pride and prejudice "fanfiction" out there but this is one of the good ones. The prose felt so similar to Jane Austen and the author really nailed the character's mannerisms.
Be warned that this is a hefty book and it took me a good amount of time to read and digest
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-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:
No
emotional
funny
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 loved this book! It was so fun to go on Mary’s journey and I’m very much looking forward to the tv series!