AustenAugust

The Other Bennet Sister: A Novel | Janice Hadlow

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As a late blooming, nose in a book, glasses wearer, it's always lovely to see a kindred soul blossom.

If you're going to write Austenesque, this is how you do it. Take a character that is off page for most of the Original and show their side. Including Mrs. Hill the housekeeper was a brilliant idea. While yes there was a bit of retelling Pride and Prejudice, it gave me an understanding of where Mary was coming from. ⬇️ #austeninaugust2020 🤓

Crinoline_Laphroaig Definite nods to the storyline of P & P but they worked. One of my favorite references wasn't to Jane Austen but Virginia Wolfe's classic A Room of One's Own: "She would always have some little space that was hers; and perhaps a room of one‘s own was all a thinking woman really required. She could read and study. She might even attempt to write something herself." ⬇️
4y

Crinoline_Laphroaig A few issues:
I get the point of Mary's traveling around through all the relations and friends. It was to show where characters ended up and also to give Mary prospective on Marriage. But it went on a too long. It's a brave author who attempts to make Mr. Collins sympathetic! ⬇️ 4y

Crinoline_Laphroaig

I can no doubt see the Bingleys being clueless when it comes to Mary's treatment at the hands of Carolina Bingley. But I can't see Darcy being uncomfortable having Mary at Pemberley. ⬇️ 4y

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Crinoline_Laphroaig First off the place is huge, it's not like she's underfoot. Second of all his sister is already living there. Darcy is nothing but honorable. Giving unmarried female relations a home is what a Gentleman did. I think he would try to make Mary welcome albeit in his quiet manner. Perhaps this is a bit of Unreliable Narration on Mary's part and used to move the story along. And it's when Mary gets to the Gardiners that the story really takes off. ⬇️ 4y

Crinoline_Laphroaig Loved the sights and sounds of London such as Vauxhall Gardens. And finally the Lake Trip happens! Now have an overwhelming desire now to climb Sca Fell and read Wordsworth.

All in all this Borrow from Library was delightful start to #austenaugust and while I haven't made room for this one on my All Things Austen Home Library Shelf. I did pick up a the Kindle version when it was on sale this week. 🤓 4y

KarouBlue Hmmm I‘ll have to check this out! 4y

slategreyskies Great review! I‘m excited to read this now!! 4y

Crinoline_Laphroaig @MellieAntoinette @slategreyskies let me know what you think. 4y

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