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The Other Bennet Sister

Now a Major BBC Drama starring Richard E. Grant and Ruth Jones

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The Other Bennet Sister

By: Janice Hadlow
Narrated by: Kristin Atherton
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About this listen

The Other Bennet Sister presents Mary Bennet in a whole new light as she becomes Austen's newest leading lady.

Now a major BBC One TV series, starring Richard E. Grant, Ruth Jones and Ella Bruccoleri.

Read by the amazing Kristen Atherton.

One by one, the Bennet sisters have found their place. But what happens to the one left behind? This is the brilliant, witty, and heartbreakingly relatable story of Mary Bennet.

In Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, we know the fates of the five Bennet girls. But while her sisters are celebrated for their beauty of their wit, Mary is the "plain" middle sister, the introvert in a family of extroverts, and a constant disappointment to her mother.

Lonely and lacking connection, Mary turns to the only place she feels safe: books. Determined to be "right" since she can never be "beautiful", she prepares for a life of solitude at Longbourn.

One by one, the other sisters move on: Jane and Lizzy for love, and Lydia for respectability. Mary is destined to remain single, at least until her father dies and the house is bequeathed to the reviled Mr Collins.

But when that fateful day finally arrives, the life Mary expected is turned upside down. In the face of uncertainty, she slowly discovers that there is hope for the "plain" sister after all . . .

Experience the witty, life-affirming tale of a young woman finally finding her place in the world.

This is Mary Bennet's story.

'Will delight Pride and Prejudice fans' — The Independent

 Coming of Age Destiny Family Life Genre Fiction Historical Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Regency Regency Romance Romance Feel-Good Heartfelt Witty

Critic reviews

[A] novel that will delight Pride and Prejudice fans
Janice Hadlow has dusted down Mary, the ugly Bennet sister, and fashioned her into a heroine that even Miss Austen would approve of. A treat (Daisy Goodwin, author of Victoria and The Fortune Hunter)
Immersive and engaging
It’s difficult not to race through those final pages (Jo Baker, author of LongBourn and The Body Lies)
This gorgeous book pays homage to Pride and Prejudice – and follows Mary Bennet, the overlooked middle Bennet sister. It’s a wonderfully warm, comforting read – perfect on a winter’s night
I absolutely love this novel – as will any young woman who has felt herself plain, shy, bookish and crushed (Amanda Craig, author of The Lie of the Land and The Golden Rule)
Fans will need no persuasion . . . Worthy of any Austen heroine
Jane fans rejoice! I loved this thoroughly estimable, worthy homage to Austen. Exceptional storytelling and a true delight (Helen Simonson, author of Major Pettigrew's Last Stand and The Summer Before the War)
Puts Mary front and centre stage exploring why she was so heartbreakingly sidelined by Mrs Bennet and gives humour and sensitivity to the most overlooked of the sisters
Impeccably researched, this lifts Mary from obscurity, as she breaks out of her mother's world and follows her own path
A wonderful, absorbing, accomplished book. I loved it (Stephanie Butland, author of Lost for Words and The Woman in the Photograph)
Entertaining and thoroughly engrossing
Vivid and convincing
Equal to the best Austen spin-offs, including Jo Baker’s Longbourn, this will delight Janeites as well as lovers of nuanced female coming-of-age tales (Publishers Weekly, starred review)
All stars
Most relevant
Completely enjoyed this! Always wondered what happened to Mary and this book shows the evolution of Mary, she starts as a sad, closed off woman and evolves into a happy woman secure in herself. Ended up being so happy for her!
Must also congratulate the narrator, the way she read the book really helps the story - she reads in the beginning in a sharp, biting tone, showing Mary's upset but as the book goes on her tone softens as Mary does. I do think her narration helps you realise and understand the pain she felt and how she changes.

Very enjoyable!

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I enjoyed this so much. To begin with it is a very clever parallel to a plot we know well from Pride and Prejudice. It then continues on from where that plot ends and gathers a huge momentum, with hugely enjoyable insights into life during that period en route. Very clever and well done. I will read or watch P&P very differently next time.

The narrator I felt got Mary just right.

Here’s to Mary!

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I thoroughly enjoyed this take of the well-known Bennet family told through the eyes of Mary. With her sisters married, what becomes of her and will she find her own happiness?

Told in a style akin to Austen, we follow her journey as she grows and navigates the trials and tribulations of a single lady with no fortune, with her considerable intellect but lacking typical beauty.

I’d be happy to listen again, as it very much complements the original story, imagining the continuation of the life of our beloved characters, and not jarring in the slightest as might be feared.

The narration was good - the characters were excellent, but I found the narrative voice a bit modern for my taste.

All in all, excellent, and one to add to my classical collection.

A wonderful tribute to Jane Austen

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I did enjoy this story and it was lovely to see Mary happier and marrying. But what I am not sure about is Elizabeth and Jane's lack of sensitivity and understanding of Mary and indeed their almost not seeing her at all. Going by the original Price and prejudice book I am not sure that they would have behaved quite so badly. It isn't an amazing story but if you like Pride and Prejudice then it is worth a listen as it was nice to experience the continuation of the book. All in all I am glad I listened to it.

Enjoyable

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Ever wondered what happens next in pride and prejudice? Janice has done an amazing job in her portrayal of a well loved classic through a different lens. Loved it, exiting and not straight forward. Who else can you write about please? Well met. Well read by Kristin.

Charming - Pride and prejudice the squeal

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