The Other Bennet Sister

Pitch-perfect, this is the best continuation of a Jane Austen novel which I have read. The author has captured the tone and spirit of the original, and given new life to one of its most sidelined characters, Mary Bennet. Not only that, but she has also enhanced my understanding of one of the least likeable, William Collins.

I am glad that I read this book, having initially been wary because of bad experiences with other “Jane-lite” novels, which either repeated her plots in plodding prose, or twisted her characters into unlikely poses. Here I found nothing which jarred on my sensibilities, and found much to savour.

My only quibbles are that I thought the resolution the plot was unduly protracted and that Mrs Bennet was made to appear as rather more malign than the silly, narrow and undereducated woman Austen portrays.

Recommended. Very readable and most enjoyable.

Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for the digital review copy.

This book is the definition of a cozy, uplifting, entertaining read when you need pure funa and warmth!
It begins at the same place as Pride & Prejudice and a part of the book goes through the same story from Mary's point of view, which I loved! It was so nice to listen to another narrative of the same story. But, then on, Mary leads her own story and develops as a character.
I loved how dramatic it was and I loved the writing. Also, there are a lot of nods to Austen's other books and characters. It was just brilliant.
As an Austen lover, I loved this book and the style of the author. Will definitely wait eagerly her next works.

Thanks a lot to the publisher & NetGalley for this copy in exchange for an honest review.

It is always a bit scary when you pick up a modern adaptation or twist of a well-loved novel. Pride and Prejudice has been a favourite novel of mine for many years, and though I was excited to read Hadlow's book, I was also a bit worried. Would it be inkeeping with the spirit of the original novel? Would the beloved characters remain just as beloved?
I needn't have worried. Hadlow gives us a new spin on the classic, going so far as to go beyond Elizabeth's happily ever after and answer the question 'What happens next?' Mary is an engaging heroine, who many will relate to at various stages of the novel. What I liked most was that we got to see how Mary became the way she is in Austen's novel, but also giving her scope for growth and improvement in the way the original novel does not. I found it so interesting to see the events taken from Austen's novel related to us with a fresh perspective. Sometimes, we even end up berating Elizabeth for not seeing Mary's insecurities and failing in being a sister to her in a way she never fails with Jane. Instead of a prudish bluestoking, Mary becomes a girl simply seeking a place where she feels loved and cherished in a way she doesn't with the Bennet's and eventually does with the Gardiner's. Mr Bennet in particular, no longer Lizzy's rose-coloured and loving gaze, falls short of our expectations, and we are severely disappointed that for all his intelligence, he doesn't understand Mary, or look after the way he does Lizzy. In this light it is even easier to see how Lydia was able to elope. My Collins, by contrast, becomes a far more sympathetic figure while Caroline Bingley is as bitter and sneering as ever.
With regards to the new characters, it is easy to see that Thomas Haywood is going to be Mary's main love interest. What we don't anticipate is for his rival, Ryder, to be just as charming and engaging as Haywood. It does Hadlow credit that for a few moments I was not sure who Mary would choose.
This was an engaging read, and it amazed me how Hadlow managed to give the marginalised characters in Austen such depth and room to grow. I thoroughly enjoyed how she made us challenge out perceptions of the characters, even Elizabeth. I would definitely reccommend this book to friends!