Questions About The Other Bennet Sister

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Answered Questions (7)

Was Mrs. Bennet really that harsh in P&P? I thought her character rather harsh in this story, instead of being flighty as Austen presented her. Would Mrs Bennet really have been so hard on Mary?

Julie Lewis Since P&P is pretty much an adult Lizzies' perspective, I can see how Mrs. B would be characterized as shallow, annoying and embarrassing.

But from Ma…moreSince P&P is pretty much an adult Lizzies' perspective, I can see how Mrs. B would be characterized as shallow, annoying and embarrassing.

But from Mary's perspective - especially as a child - those qualities would have been devastating. In P&P Mary is pretty much either ignored or the butt of every joke.

Speaking from experience, having a mother who doesn't understand you as a person is very hard, even as an only daughter. As the middle of five, and obviously her least favorite? Yes that would have felt very harsh.(less)

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Is this a new retelling, a story based on the original characters and plot lines, or a copy of Austen with new or enhanced portions about Mary and her viewpoint thrown in? The passages where Mr. Collins is an expected dinner guest seem rather as if they are lifted directly from Pride and Prejudice.

roooia There are multiple parts in this story, and Part One mainly follows the story in P&P with some background and thoughts from Mary. The rest of the nove…moreThere are multiple parts in this story, and Part One mainly follows the story in P&P with some background and thoughts from Mary. The rest of the novel revolves solely around her and her development from a self-degrading, shy girl to a confident woman. (less)

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Okay, possibly a weird question but here goes: Do I have to enjoy Pride and Prejudice to enjoy this? I wasn't a fan but I feel intrigued by this premise, hence the question.

Joselyn Martin It may be better if you have little to no knowledge of Pride and Prejudice before reading this. For me, loving Pride and Prejudice made this book unbe…moreIt may be better if you have little to no knowledge of Pride and Prejudice before reading this. For me, loving Pride and Prejudice made this book unbearable. (less)

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I read P&P just once, about 30 years ago. But I’ve seen, and enjoyed more,the 1995 BBC adaptation on several occasions. After viewing it again very recently, I felt rather sorry for how Mary Bennet had been made fun if/overlooked. I have two questions about “The Other Bennet Sister”. Is it a relatively easy read compared to P&P? And is it kind to Mary, whilst being truthful to what P&P tells us about her?

Liz "Is this a relatively easy read?"- I would say that if you find Austen's language and writing style to be something you enjoy, that The Other Bennett …more"Is this a relatively easy read?"- I would say that if you find Austen's language and writing style to be something you enjoy, that The Other Bennett Sister" is written in remarkable the same style. Many modern writers struggle to capture Austen's form, but reading Hadlow I had to remind myself Miss Austen had never given Mary nearly as much love and care.

"Is it kind to Mary whilst being faithful"- I think this is the most important part of Hadlow's retelling- that she not only understands who Mary always was, but the story P&P really told in the first place. I can't tell you how much reading The Other Bennet Sister has changed my entire view of P&P. This books is not a sequel or a retelling, it ads so much more texture and context to a age old classic, really breathing life back into the lives of this family we think we know so well.(less)

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I've seen this book compared to Baker's Longbourn; if I hated Longbourn, is there a chance I will still enjoy this one?

Jessica Atwater It depends on what you disliked about Longbourn. I disliked how gritty and grimy it felt, how it undercut characters like Mr. Bennet by giving him sho…moreIt depends on what you disliked about Longbourn. I disliked how gritty and grimy it felt, how it undercut characters like Mr. Bennet by giving him shocking secrets, and how the main viewpoint character felt like the way a person lifted from the 21st century and dropped into being a Regency era servant would feel about her lot in life.

This book is not nearly as harsh or dirty, and it avoids most of the feeling of the modern commentary on the lifestyles of the past, although there is still a bit of that. It does change the characters from the original book, sometimes showing them in a less positive light, but not so egregiously as Longbourn.

They are similar in being relatively well written imaginings of the story that are also commentaries/critiques on the story, but The Other Bennet Sister is much happier and more romantic in the end. I definitely liked it better, despite its flaws.(less)

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