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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
I was so angry with Mary for so long, but my heart was so filled by the end
3’5 estrellas.
Pues cosas buenas y cosas menos buenas.
Al principio, la primera mitad del libro me estaba encantando. Un 4 estrellas sin duda. Todo eso teniendo en cuenta que esa mitad son ya unas 300 páginas, y que es lento, lento. Pero yo lo estaba disfrutando un montón. Me gustaba ver cómo evolucionaba el personaje de Mary con la trama de “Orgullo y prejuicio” de fondo.
Pero luego llegó el romance y casi me duermo. Qué romance con tan poca chicha! Los elementos que hacen que simplemente no se prometan antes están metidos con calzador. Y es que no hay misterio ninguno, se llevan bien, se gustan, se enamoran y punto.
Pues cosas buenas y cosas menos buenas.
Al principio, la primera mitad del libro me estaba encantando. Un 4 estrellas sin duda. Todo eso teniendo en cuenta que esa mitad son ya unas 300 páginas, y que es lento, lento. Pero yo lo estaba disfrutando un montón. Me gustaba ver cómo evolucionaba el personaje de Mary con la trama de “Orgullo y prejuicio” de fondo.
Pero luego llegó el romance y casi me duermo. Qué romance con tan poca chicha! Los elementos que hacen que simplemente no se prometan antes están metidos con calzador. Y es que no hay misterio ninguno, se llevan bien, se gustan, se enamoran y punto.
Actual rating is closer to 3.5 stars.
Would I make sense if I said I like it better as a book on its own and not in how it connects to Pride and Prejudice?
Would I make sense if I said I like it better as a book on its own and not in how it connects to Pride and Prejudice?
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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:
Yes
The first half of this book is something of a retelling of Pride and Prejudice from Mary's perspective, and the second half imagines what Mary's life looks like after that book ends. Mostly I enjoyed this story, though I did take a star off because Mary could be kind of annoying.
As the reader I could understand how Mary grew to be so meek. We watch her child-self be referred to as plain and disappointing by her mother, and ignored by her father, and it's easy to be sympathetic for her then. But as she grows up, her constant self pitying becomes tiresome. It was a significant relief when she finally gets properly angry and grows a spine. Admittedly, her reaction against the abuse everyone heaps on her is of a subdued Regency era variety, but at least it was something.
As the reader I could understand how Mary grew to be so meek. We watch her child-self be referred to as plain and disappointing by her mother, and ignored by her father, and it's easy to be sympathetic for her then. But as she grows up, her constant self pitying becomes tiresome. It was a significant relief when she finally gets properly angry and grows a spine. Admittedly, her reaction against the abuse everyone heaps on her is of a subdued Regency era variety, but at least it was something.
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:
No
I really enjoyed the exploration of how single women were treated in regency Britain and a completely different perspective of the well known characters. Mary develops really well and naturally. However, it felt a bit long towards the end and I think Mary made some uncharacteristic decisions to tie the story together.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Could have been shorter and just as enjoyable
hopeful
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
4.5 stars. This book serves up exactly what it purports to offer -- telling the story of the "other Bennet sister," Mary. Mary is initially a little irritating at times, but as she grows up, she becomes more and more likeable a narrator, and I found many points of sympathy with her. She is a scholar at a time when few women were, and none were acclaimed for it; she tries to understand the world through her intellect, a strategy which sometimes succeeds, and sometimes fails. It's sad to read about how she was treated by her family growing up -- it hurts to witness her desperate desire to be respected and loved by her sister Lizzy and particularly by her father. This book shows us Mary's search for a place she belongs, and what happiness means to her. The writing style is about as Austen-esque as one could hope for without the author being Jane Austen herself (as no one can copy Austen's style to perfection). Hadlow's portrayal of Mary rings true, taking the character we meet in Pride and Prejudice and turning her into the heroine of her own story. While the book is very slow-moving, it details Mary's coming-of-age in a realistic way that will now be how I picture Mary's happily-ever-after. Kudos to Janice Hadlow for a job well done -- it isn't easy to take on Austen!
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated