The Other Bennet Sister


Title and Author: The Other Bennet Sister by Janice Hadlow
Type: Pride and Prejudice Parallel Story
Perspective: Mary
Romance Level: Austen-esque
Recommended: yes, it was a fresh story where Mary gets her happy ending

Summary: Mary is the Bennet sister no one particularly likes or notices. She isn't accomplished despite her piano practice and her learning isn't valued because it comes across as moralistic. In this Austen retelling, Mary gets her own story. We can see how her mother's nagging and anxiety as well as Mr. Bennet's neglect change Mary's character. The first few chapters happen in parallel with P&P (Mr Collins, Jane and Bingley, Elizabeth and Darcy), but most of the book is the story of Mary finding her own way in the world with the help of Mrs. Hill, Mrs. Gardiner and others.

Pros
I really liked Mary's relationships with Mrs. Hill, Mrs. Gardiner and Mr. Collins.
It was interesting to contemplate how Mary became the way she was and what it was like to be the middle sister.
I always like a version where (almost) everyone gets a happy ending.

Cons
Mary's sisters seem shallow or at least preoccupied in this version.
My modern self wants to read a version where Mary can go to school and learn :)

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