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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Pride and Prejudice part 2 from the viewpoint of Mary, the plain and awkward middle sister. Mary is nobody's favorite and finds herself the outcast in a large family. What's a girl to do?!
I loved P&P - and Hadlow does a good job of picking up where P&P left off and doing it in a way that it reads as a sequel - not just a borrowing of the world and characters of P&P.
In this book, Mary gets her due and becomes a well-developed character. I liked how Mary developed and matures from unlikeable awkward teen with little self-confidence into a more self-assured young woman. Mary's perspective of her friends and family adds depth to the P&P world. There's some rehashing of P&P from Mary's point of view at the beginning of the book- and I thought it was well done, but it's where the story takes off into new territory that things become interesting. (I still don't know what to think of Charlotte, and feel rather sorry for Mr. Collins). Things get a little draggy during a trip to the Lake country, but overall I really enjoyed this one.
I loved P&P - and Hadlow does a good job of picking up where P&P left off and doing it in a way that it reads as a sequel - not just a borrowing of the world and characters of P&P.
In this book, Mary gets her due and becomes a well-developed character. I liked how Mary developed and matures from unlikeable awkward teen with little self-confidence into a more self-assured young woman. Mary's perspective of her friends and family adds depth to the P&P world. There's some rehashing of P&P from Mary's point of view at the beginning of the book- and I thought it was well done, but it's where the story takes off into new territory that things become interesting. (I still don't know what to think of Charlotte, and feel rather sorry for Mr. Collins). Things get a little draggy during a trip to the Lake country, but overall I really enjoyed this one.
A diverting listen. I enjoyed how the author developed Mary's character from just the awkward, unattractive sister into a believable heroine. Some of the situations seemed to be borrowed freely from other Austen novels, but it didn't bother me too much.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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 thoroughly enjoyed this book. Throughout the story, I clearly got waves of Jane Austen tone, at times I’d read lines that felt familiar and were placed effortlessly within the story. Mary became a true fuller character from her first heart break to her last.
I enjoyed how the book was sectioned and loved that it started prior to Pride and Prejudice then long suppressed it. The glimpses of the Bennet sisters lives beyond the book make me entirely nostalgic.
This reinvention of how Mary became the server character we experienced in Pride and Prejudice to a woman by the stories end was relatable and enjoyable.
It’s a definite must read for lovers of Pride and Prejudice!
I enjoyed how the book was sectioned and loved that it started prior to Pride and Prejudice then long suppressed it. The glimpses of the Bennet sisters lives beyond the book make me entirely nostalgic.
This reinvention of how Mary became the server character we experienced in Pride and Prejudice to a woman by the stories end was relatable and enjoyable.
It’s a definite must read for lovers of Pride and Prejudice!
emotional
hopeful
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 think a well done sequel. She managed to capture a decent amount of the original tone while still keeping it original. I'm happy Mary got some justice and character building. I'm definitely going to purchase this.
What a wonderful, , soft and thoughtful, nice to read and perfect for otherwise uneventful and depressing Corona-DAys
It is a sad fact of life that if a young woman is unlucky enough to come into the world without expectations, she had better do all she can to ensure she is born beautiful. To be poor and handsome is misfortune enough; but to be penniless and plain is a hard fate indeed.
This was my third Jane Austen July pick this year.
I was excited to read a book about Mary Bennet, the most overlooked and neglected character in [b:Pride and Prejudice|1885|Pride and Prejudice|Jane Austen|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1320399351l/1885._SY75_.jpg|3060926], and this book did a superb job filling in the background about what made Mary into the person she was by the events that took place in [b:Pride and Prejudice|1885|Pride and Prejudice|Jane Austen|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1320399351l/1885._SY75_.jpg|3060926]. Divided into five parts, the first part of the book spanned Mary's childhood until the events detailed in [b:Pride and Prejudice|1885|Pride and Prejudice|Jane Austen|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1320399351l/1885._SY75_.jpg|3060926], the second part of the book took place the third part of the book takes place in London at the home of her aunt and uncle Gardiner, the fourth part of the book takes place in the Lake District and the fifth part of the book takes place back at her aunt and uncle's home in London.
The first two parts of the book were especially bleak and depressing, going into extensive detail into how Mary's family treated her and shaped her into the person we knew her to be in [b:Pride and Prejudice|1885|Pride and Prejudice|Jane Austen|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1320399351l/1885._SY75_.jpg|3060926]. Mary had made the mistake of inheriting neither the looks nor the charm shared by all other female members of the Bennet family. This was a sin for which, in Mrs Bennet’s eyes, there could be no forgiveness, as Mary herself had quickly discovered.
What was treated in a comical way by Austen was painted in a much more hopeless light by Hadlow (at least initially). A loving father would have been pleased with the gift regardless of its contents, because his child had taken the trouble to make it, but Mary knew Mr. Bennet would not be so indulgent. It would do nothing to raise her in his estimation. On the contrary, it would confirm his opinion of her silliness, of her unworthiness to be noticed, valued, or loved. It would certainly not persuade him to look at her as he did at Lizzy.
If you cared for any of the Bennet characters prior to reading this book, your view of them after reading may be less positive and sympathetic. Mary understood that while she would never be treated harshly at Pemberley, there were other ways of being made to understand you were not required. Mr. Darcy would never warm to her. He might tolerate her for Elizabeth’s sake, but in his eyes, she would always be the worst possible version of herself, gauche, clumsy, and dull. Georgiana’s situation was very different. She would never be a guest to be endured on sufferance. She was family, loved by both her brother and Lizzy, always.
The rest of the book details Mary's personal journey out of hopelessness and going through the motions as a victim in life to taking life by the reins into her own hands. the difference was that the Gardiners worked hard at the business of happiness, exerting themselves tirelessly to coax it into being. They did not consider happiness a matter of chance or destiny. Instead they did everything in their power to cultivate it, prizing generosity over petulance, preferring kindness to umbrage, and always encouraging laughter rather than complaint. This book was very long and each section felt like it could be a story in and of its own. My main complaint is that it felt disjointed and too long. Overall, I enjoyed the narrative itself and I would recommend this to any Jane Austen lover.
This was my third Jane Austen July pick this year.
I was excited to read a book about Mary Bennet, the most overlooked and neglected character in [b:Pride and Prejudice|1885|Pride and Prejudice|Jane Austen|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1320399351l/1885._SY75_.jpg|3060926], and this book did a superb job filling in the background about what made Mary into the person she was by the events that took place in [b:Pride and Prejudice|1885|Pride and Prejudice|Jane Austen|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1320399351l/1885._SY75_.jpg|3060926]. Divided into five parts, the first part of the book spanned Mary's childhood until the events detailed in [b:Pride and Prejudice|1885|Pride and Prejudice|Jane Austen|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1320399351l/1885._SY75_.jpg|3060926], the second part of the book took place
Spoiler
immediately following the death of Mr. Bennet and the passing off of Mary to subsequent sisters and families while she tries to find a place that feels like home,The first two parts of the book were especially bleak and depressing, going into extensive detail into how Mary's family treated her and shaped her into the person we knew her to be in [b:Pride and Prejudice|1885|Pride and Prejudice|Jane Austen|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1320399351l/1885._SY75_.jpg|3060926]. Mary had made the mistake of inheriting neither the looks nor the charm shared by all other female members of the Bennet family. This was a sin for which, in Mrs Bennet’s eyes, there could be no forgiveness, as Mary herself had quickly discovered.
What was treated in a comical way by Austen was painted in a much more hopeless light by Hadlow (at least initially). A loving father would have been pleased with the gift regardless of its contents, because his child had taken the trouble to make it, but Mary knew Mr. Bennet would not be so indulgent. It would do nothing to raise her in his estimation. On the contrary, it would confirm his opinion of her silliness, of her unworthiness to be noticed, valued, or loved. It would certainly not persuade him to look at her as he did at Lizzy.
If you cared for any of the Bennet characters prior to reading this book, your view of them after reading may be less positive and sympathetic. Mary understood that while she would never be treated harshly at Pemberley, there were other ways of being made to understand you were not required. Mr. Darcy would never warm to her. He might tolerate her for Elizabeth’s sake, but in his eyes, she would always be the worst possible version of herself, gauche, clumsy, and dull. Georgiana’s situation was very different. She would never be a guest to be endured on sufferance. She was family, loved by both her brother and Lizzy, always.
The rest of the book details Mary's personal journey out of hopelessness and going through the motions as a victim in life to taking life by the reins into her own hands. the difference was that the Gardiners worked hard at the business of happiness, exerting themselves tirelessly to coax it into being. They did not consider happiness a matter of chance or destiny. Instead they did everything in their power to cultivate it, prizing generosity over petulance, preferring kindness to umbrage, and always encouraging laughter rather than complaint. This book was very long and each section felt like it could be a story in and of its own. My main complaint is that it felt disjointed and too long. Overall, I enjoyed the narrative itself and I would recommend this to any Jane Austen lover.
this book was very, very good. you can tell this author has a genuine affection for the original Pride & Prejudice (as is not the case with some other P&P revisits out there) and the focus on Mary is very welcome and insightful
Finding a book that continues Pride and Prejudice authentically and stirs up emotions for characters I’ve never cared about before is amazing and deserves 5 stars.
It also confirms that Mr & Mrs Gardiner are the best characters.
Though Mr Collins was perhaps a little too likeable, though relatively believable that he had grown up and changed his opinion on things.. also Mary stayed with the Collins’ for ages and never once saw the Lucas’.. which is odd as Charlotte was close to her family and they were practically neighbours. Nit picking
It also confirms that Mr & Mrs Gardiner are the best characters.
Though Mr Collins was perhaps a little too likeable, though relatively believable that he had grown up and changed his opinion on things.. also Mary stayed with the Collins’ for ages and never once saw the Lucas’.. which is odd as Charlotte was close to her family and they were practically neighbours. Nit picking