Listen free for 30 days
Listen with offer
-
The Other Bennet Sister
- Narrated by: Kristin Atherton
- Length: 20 hrs
Failed to add items
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
£0.00 for first 30 days
Buy Now for £14.99
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Summary
It is a sad fact of life that if a young woman is unlucky enough to come into the world without expectations, she had better do all she can to ensure she is born beautiful. To be handsome and poor is misfortune enough; but to be both plain and penniless is a hard fate indeed.
In Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, Mary is the middle of the five Bennet girls and the plainest of them all, so what hope does she have? Prim and pious, with no redeeming features, she is unloved and seemingly unlovable.
The Other Bennet Sister shows another side to Mary. An introvert in a family of extroverts, a constant disappointment to her mother, who values beauty above all else, fearful of her father’s sharp tongue, with little in common with her siblings - is it any wonder she turns to books for both company and guidance? And, if she finds her life lonely or lacking, that she determines to try harder at the one thing she can be: right.
One by one, her sisters marry - Jane and Lizzy for love, Lydia for some semblance of respectability - but Mary, it seems, is destined to remain single and live out her life at Longbourn, at least until her father dies and the house is bequeathed to the reviled Mr Collins.
But when that fateful day finally comes, she slowly discovers that perhaps there is hope for her after all.
Simultaneously a wonderfully warm homage to Jane Austen and a delightful new story in its own right, Janice Hadlow's The Other Bennet Sister is, at its heart, a life-affirming tale of a young woman finding her place in the world. Witty and uplifting, it will make you feel - and cheer - for Mary as you never have before.
What listeners say about The Other Bennet Sister
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Alison
- 20-07-21
A fitting sequel
The telling of Mary's story is a clever idea. Part of the book takes places in the times we recall from Pride & Prejudice, but through the lense of the least 'attractive' sister, which casts a new light upon many details. Then we move past the ending of P&P and are in new territory, as we follow Mary through the following years.
For the most part, Mary continues to be a withdrawn, often reclusive character. We get to know her though and her behaviour, her character, are explained, partly, by this knowledge. That said, I did get intensely irritated by her at times - her ceaseless introspection, and inability to ever see a positive in any situation would have tried my patience had she been my sister.
Many key characters in P&P are expanded and in some cases, placed in a different, and often unattractive light. I did really enjoy this part of the book. Mr Bennett, in this version, is less sardonic and rather unkind and self-serving to say the least. Jane wasn't a sweet saint; Lizzie isn't a generous but free spirit, and Charlotte is not a decent person at all but a calculating plotter with an eye, maybe understandably, on the main chance. Mrs Bennett's character is escalated past stupid and annoying to the point of being a cruel Grim Fairy Tale Evil Witch. That was rather fun, as were the parts where characters we were trained to dislike in P&P such as Mr Collins, are presented with much more sympathy.
I like the writing style. It is just on the right side of 'faithful' to the original P&P. The first half is, I feel, too slow though and much as I like a long book, there is far too much hanging about and sighing in Mary's room, or hearing Mary's latest thoughts on improving literature. There is no getting away from the fact that she was, and remains, a prig, albeit a misunderstood prig.
Good narration, other than the odious Mrs Bennett which is too pantomime.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Nelle
- 30-07-21
Brilliant
Absolutely loved everything from the story to the narration. Beautifully narrated and an excellent tribute to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Carole-ann Galloway
- 08-07-21
Definitely worth a listen for Austen fan
Great story. Just very long! But I enjoyed it and thought the narrator was great.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Amazon Customer
- 28-04-20
Amazing
What an amazing read! I was always so curious about the otger two sisters this is a brilliant book, and a story well told!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Rubee
- 16-11-21
In respect to Jane Austen, I persevered
Overly long and predictable, but provides an insight into a character always overshadowed by her sisters. With such a stupid, selfish mother, it is no wonder Mary behaves in a stupid manner at times. A good editing would have made this a more enjoyable read.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Dolores Anderson
- 02-12-21
Brilliant
I loved loved loved this book and the narrative was terrific. I could envisage all the characters, especially Mrs Bennet! I was sorry to come to the end of the story. It would make a great movie.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- K A La Piccirella
- 30-11-21
Perfect portrayal of each character
Loved it so much. Was worried it might be disappointing but it lived up to all my hopes. Excellent narration made it even better. I'll listen to this again.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Amazon Customer
- 17-03-21
Thoroughly enjoyable
I'd never given Mary Bennett a second thought, but I'm glad that Janice Hadlow did! Her thoughtful consideration of Mary's background and why she acted as she did in the familiar Pride And Prejudice might feel a little slow to begin with, but it's worth staying with as the rest of Mary's life unfolds.
The narrator was excellent and added a great deal to the enjoyment of the story. I'm now looking forward to hearing more from both narrator and author.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- susanne H
- 09-03-21
I am amazed
This is the first posthumous sequel I have ever enjoyed. Expertly written and very enjoyably narrated. I normally listen to 5 or 6 books at a time depending on my mood but once I started this I ignored the other 5 that I had on the go and continued this until it was concluded
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Megan Gibbs
- 07-02-21
Pure escapism
I really enjoyed this fictional account of Mary Bennett’s life and found myself completely absorbed in the narrative for 3 days straight until I had finished. Well worth a listen for any Austin lover .
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!