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verityblip 's review for:
The Other Bennet Sister
by Janice Hadlow
emotional
hopeful
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:
Complicated
I found this novel a bit hard to get into, but I’m glad I finished it - the ending is satisfying and the story and characters are compelling!
Potential spoilers ahead!
This book is split into parts, part 1 covers events from Pride and Prejudice, from Mary’s perspective. It can be a tough read, especially if you were a bookish, awkward, forgotten child who only ever heard how you must try to understand other people, but no one can take the time to try to understand you. Some of the situations are quite heartbreakingly relatable.
The second part skips the drama and marriages of the other sisters, and Mary finds herself trying to make her way in a world where she has no place. She thinks there might be kindness found, and it is snatched away repeatedly. I think this was the hardest part of the book for me, and tainted the rest, as it set up this expectation of misery around the corner if Mary felt safe. It was very much like A Series of Unfortunate Events and I found myself skipping paragraphs of “woe is me” to try and move past the pain!
I am so glad that the Gardiners never disappointed her, they were continually kind and giving, something she should have always had but unluckily, she was the least favourite daughter of 5. I adored Mr Hayward, wanted to slap him when he was being so self absorbed in his jealousy. Hated that Mary simply had to meekly wait for him to make an appearance, cheered when she got to have her say first, and was slightly astonished at the letter from Miss Bingley - was she the reader? Was she shouting at them both to just get on with it? (It would meet her own ends too but I can imagine her watching them together and the spectacular eye roll at them not announcing their intentions)
It was exactly what I wanted from an Austen based story and also had its own way enough that I wasn’t sure what would happen next.
I particularly love the development of Mary, she becomes such a whole and lovely person through all the things that happen - that the main thing that makes her is being loved and respected. We love this for her!
Potential spoilers ahead!
This book is split into parts, part 1 covers events from Pride and Prejudice, from Mary’s perspective. It can be a tough read, especially if you were a bookish, awkward, forgotten child who only ever heard how you must try to understand other people, but no one can take the time to try to understand you. Some of the situations are quite heartbreakingly relatable.
The second part skips the drama and marriages of the other sisters, and Mary finds herself trying to make her way in a world where she has no place. She thinks there might be kindness found, and it is snatched away repeatedly. I think this was the hardest part of the book for me, and tainted the rest, as it set up this expectation of misery around the corner if Mary felt safe. It was very much like A Series of Unfortunate Events and I found myself skipping paragraphs of “woe is me” to try and move past the pain!
It was exactly what I wanted from an Austen based story and also had its own way enough that I wasn’t sure what would happen next.
I particularly love the development of Mary, she becomes such a whole and lovely person through all the things that happen - that the main thing that makes her is being loved and respected. We love this for her!