Calling all Janeites! I’m here to tell you that not only is The Other Bennet Sister worth your time, but that it’s one of the best Jane Austen-inspired novels I’ve ever read.
And I’ve read a lot of them.
Let’s start with the writing in The Other Bennet Sister: if I didn’t know any better, I would think Jane Austen herself wrote this book. Author Janice Hadlow completely nails Austen’s witty, sharp sense of humor and elegant turns of phrase. The characters we know and love from Pride and Prejudice appear true to form in this new book, so perfectly captured are all their quirks, foibles, and personalities. And, much to my delight, Hadlow expounds upon more peripheral characters like Charlotte Lucas and the Gardiners, adding new dimensions to them while staying true to their original personalities.
The other reason to read The Other Bennet Sister is Mary Bennet herself. She’s wonderful; you will love her immediately. The story she’s given is honest, emotional, and captivating, allowing Mary to take on a life all her own. While the novel starts with Mary’s childhood and quickly moves to Pride and Prejudice as we know it, the majority of the book is completely new, fresh content sprung from Hadlow’s imagination.
An entire future beyond the ending of Pride and Prejudice is handed to Mary, showing the evolution of a shy, bookish, and — if we’re being honest — emotionally abused young girl into an intelligent, confident, and affable young woman. As Mary navigates her way from Longbourn to Pemberley, from Hunsford to London, and even to The Lakes District, she learns to accept her strengths, overcome her weaknesses, and, finally, to love herself and let others love her in return.
I’m so happy Mary’s finally been given her own story, and a beautiful one at that. I’ve always been curious about her – about why Austen threw her into Pride and Prejudice when she plays such a minor role, and about why she’s so painfully overlooked by both the Bennet family and Austen herself.
Most of us Janeites like to fancy ourselves “an Elizabeth,” but let’s be real: how many of us are really more like Mary? I know I am: a bookish girl who wore glasses from a young age; an awkward teen who never really knew what to say or do when everyone else seemed to; and, a grown woman (with depressingly stick-straight hair) who’s reconciled herself to the fact that, compared to all Lizzys and Janes and Lydias and even Kittys of the world, she’s just a little bit plain. Jane Eyre might have been the original champion of the There’s-More-To-Us-Than-Our-Looks Girls, but Hadlow’s Mary Bennet kicks Miss Eyre out of the park any day.
The Other Bennet Sister is 500 pages long, but each and every page flew by; there wasn’t one second of the story that didn’t thoroughly engross me. While I do think you have to be a fan of – or, at least, be moderately familiar with – Pride and Prejudice to appreciate all that The Other Bennet Sister has to offer, Hadlow’s work is, on its own, an excellent piece of historical fiction. It’s well-researched and well-written, transporting you back to what life was like in Regency England.
Although I usually borrow books from the library, I’m going to purchase my own copy of this novel. Like my beloved Pride and Prejudice, which I’ve re-read countless times, The Other Bennet Sister is one I want read over and over again. Congratulations, Hadlow, on writing a new classic.
Be sure to check back in for my book-inspired recipe: Sally Lunn Buns!
Hi CJ, I’m going to purchase this immediately. I was always wondering why Mr Collins didn’t go for Mary, but maybe this book will be a much needed insight to her personality. Thanks for the recommendation. Happy Thanksgiving.
Hi, Elle! Oooh, I am so excited for you to read this book since you’re looking for some Mr Collins / Mary insight. 🙂 Can’t wait to know what you think. Have a good holiday!
I’ve never read any Jane Austen-inspired novels yet but I definitely want to! I love Jane Austen. However, I still have Northhanger Abbey to read and Love and Friendship. So after I finish all her books then I will start Jane-inspired books. I think this will be my first one! Although my brother did rescue a pride & prejudice zombies book for me. So one day I’ll have to read that one.
Oh but first of all – I meant to start with this – you are not plain! Far from it, that’s for sure! I know what you mean though. I wish I was an Elizabeth but I’m definitely probably a Mary too. I’m not the charming one at a party. I’m the one by the cheese table and/or next to the cat/dog.🐶🐱
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is so good!!!! The book, not the movie. The movie is awful, lol. I didn’t know what to expect going into the book since I hate (really, really hate) zombies, but I thought it was a brilliant reimaning of a classic story. The zombies somehow managed to make sense. Props to the author for being able to work them into Regency England. And, thank you for your kind words. 🙂 Many of us are Marys, and this book makes you realize that, honestly, that’s perfectly fine…maybe even better. 🙂