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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
There are a lot of Pride and Prejudice related novels out there and I've read quite a few of them, both good and bad. However, I've never read one with the unique perspective and fresh, sensitive insights of The Other Bennet Sister - or read one that was this moving and emotionally satisfying. I absolutely loved this book. It's hard to find an Austen sequel that feels really worthy of Austen's own novel, but as far as I'm concerned this one hits the mark.
The Other Bennet Sister focuses on Mary, the bookish, priggish, most overlooked sister of the five Bennet girls in Pride and Prejudice, and creates in her a beautifully real and sympathetic character - one who will break your heart and fill you with so much hope and pride as she grows, learns, and ultimately comes to respect herself after a youth spent being berated by her mother, neglected by her father, and alternately picked on or brushed aside by her sisters.
I don't want to spoil anything by going into detail about the journey she takes to get to her happy ending - I knew nothing about what would happen when I started reading and enjoyed being surprised by the twists and turns the novel took. I will say, though, that I really appreciated that the part of the story retelling the events of Pride and Prejudice was relatively short, and that the majority of it took place a couple of years afterward. It made things feel very fresh and new, and not like it was a rehashing of the Austen novel. That said, Austen's spirit infuses The Other Bennet Sister, and the story and its characters feel very much like part of her world.
I truly adored this book and highly recommend it. It's a stunner of a first novel by Janice Hadlow and I really hope some of you read it so we can discuss!
The Other Bennet Sister focuses on Mary, the bookish, priggish, most overlooked sister of the five Bennet girls in Pride and Prejudice, and creates in her a beautifully real and sympathetic character - one who will break your heart and fill you with so much hope and pride as she grows, learns, and ultimately comes to respect herself after a youth spent being berated by her mother, neglected by her father, and alternately picked on or brushed aside by her sisters.
I don't want to spoil anything by going into detail about the journey she takes to get to her happy ending - I knew nothing about what would happen when I started reading and enjoyed being surprised by the twists and turns the novel took. I will say, though, that I really appreciated that the part of the story retelling the events of Pride and Prejudice was relatively short, and that the majority of it took place a couple of years afterward. It made things feel very fresh and new, and not like it was a rehashing of the Austen novel. That said, Austen's spirit infuses The Other Bennet Sister, and the story and its characters feel very much like part of her world.
I truly adored this book and highly recommend it. It's a stunner of a first novel by Janice Hadlow and I really hope some of you read it so we can discuss!
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-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:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
sad
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
emotional
hopeful
sad
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
relaxing
slow-paced
What is the point of marriage? Does companionship develop in marriage or ought it be the foundation upon which a marriage is found? Should one love one's fiancee or can fondness be trusted to develop over time? Which is better--intellectual fortune or monetary? Which is better--laughter or comfort?
These are all questions that the middle Bennet sister attempts to answer as she watches her sisters marry and spends time with the Darcys, Collins, and Gardiners. This book has exquisite dialogue and captures the vibes of Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Unfortunately, this made the 21st century prose stand out. I found the prose a bit distracting, and I attribute the contrast of dialogue voice to prose voice to the length of the sentences being shorter than Austen tended towards. There are several references to Austen's work, both in dialogue and in plot development. It was interesting to read some of the Pride and Prejudice scenes from a different point of view.
There's also a lot of modern thought in the book. Austen was very forward thinking for her time, but this novel shows a thinking that is more in line with 21st century western thinking.
Very fun book though--it would be rated higher if not for the prose being a bit choppy at times.
These are all questions that the middle Bennet sister attempts to answer as she watches her sisters marry and spends time with the Darcys, Collins, and Gardiners. This book has exquisite dialogue and captures the vibes of Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Unfortunately, this made the 21st century prose stand out. I found the prose a bit distracting, and I attribute the contrast of dialogue voice to prose voice to the length of the sentences being shorter than Austen tended towards. There are several references to Austen's work, both in dialogue and in plot development. It was interesting to read some of the Pride and Prejudice scenes from a different point of view.
There's also a lot of modern thought in the book. Austen was very forward thinking for her time, but this novel shows a thinking that is more in line with 21st century western thinking.
Very fun book though--it would be rated higher if not for the prose being a bit choppy at times.
Strong character development:
No
You know it’s bad when you consider DNFing with 50 pages left. This should have been 300 pages max. I was actually pretty interested in Part One which essentially told Pride and Prejudice from Mary’s perspective, particularly how she saw Lizzie, although painting their mother as such a villain felt over the top. Part Two where she was struggling to find her place as the sole unmarried sister being shuffled from home to home and not fitting anywhere was also compelling but it started to lose me once she reached London. The synopsis described Mary’s path as being different from her sisters but I can’t see what’s so different about it other than the man she’s interested in isn’t wealthy. Basically just 200 pages of boring romantic nonsense and tropes—misunderstandings, love triangles. Plus her character development wasn’t believable. Mary is plain and insecure for like 200+ pages and then all of a sudden she’s quite pretty and doesn’t worry about her appearance at all? Boring. It would’ve been more interesting if she had remained plain. Also I’m still surprised that she didn’t end up with the optometrist’s son. I think that would have been way sweeter.
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
WOW. One of my favourite reads of the year. For a very long time I’ve been put off by stories that revisit well known figures and tales due to its unimaginative storytelling. However, the writing of TOBS was so heartfelt, so deeply considered, it was as if Austen herself was writing in the 21st century. A progression of Austen’s themes as the story progressed was also masterful. I’m so completely satisfied and happy - and quite at my leisure. Bravo!!!
emotional
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