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A review by anahisa
The Other Bennet Sister by Janice Hadlow
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
4.0
This is the Brat remix album to Jane Austen’s much beloved Pride and Prejudice, everybody cheer!!!
That is to say, this story goes beyond homage or retelling, and instead becomes its own unique addition to the critiques and conversations Austen started in her own novel.
Fittingly, these 2 novels relate to each other in the way its own titular sisters do. The lessons Mary learned from her now married sisters are ruminated and expanded upon in this book.
I cannot begin to describe how visceral Mary’s loneliness was in the beginning of this novel. It’s interesting to see how differently the sisters were treated in their home and childhood, and how those experiences shaped each of them individually.
Nevertheless, following Mary’s realistic growth throughout this novel was such a joy to behold. Much like its inspiration, The Other Bennet Sister is also a novel of ethics. Where Pride and Prejudice was largely a critique of its titular vices, this novel instead interrogates the real internal workings of happiness.
Needless to say, I quite enjoyed this! Mary is a heroine I find painfully relatable, and while the main lessons to be found here aren’t necessarily groundbreaking, they’re welcome reminders to anyone navigating a less than perfect (love) life.
That is to say, this story goes beyond homage or retelling, and instead becomes its own unique addition to the critiques and conversations Austen started in her own novel.
Fittingly, these 2 novels relate to each other in the way its own titular sisters do. The lessons Mary learned from her now married sisters are ruminated and expanded upon in this book.
I cannot begin to describe how visceral Mary’s loneliness was in the beginning of this novel. It’s interesting to see how differently the sisters were treated in their home and childhood, and how those experiences shaped each of them individually.
Nevertheless, following Mary’s realistic growth throughout this novel was such a joy to behold. Much like its inspiration, The Other Bennet Sister is also a novel of ethics. Where Pride and Prejudice was largely a critique of its titular vices, this novel instead interrogates the real internal workings of happiness.
Needless to say, I quite enjoyed this! Mary is a heroine I find painfully relatable, and while the main lessons to be found here aren’t necessarily groundbreaking, they’re welcome reminders to anyone navigating a less than perfect (love) life.