The Other Bennet Sister

A Novel

By: Janice Hadlow

Narrated by: Carla Mendonça

"Jane fans rejoice!.... Exceptional storytelling and a true delight." (Helen Simonson, author of the New York Times best-selling novels Major Pettigrew's Last Stand and The Summer Before the War)

Mary, the bookish ugly duckling of Pride and Prejudice’s five Bennet sisters, emerges from the shadows and transforms into a desired woman with choices of her own.

What if Mary Bennet’s life took a different path from that laid out for her in Pride and Prejudice? What if the frustrated intellectual of the Bennet family, the marginalized middle daughter, the plain girl who takes refuge in her books, eventually found the fulfillment enjoyed by her prettier, more confident sisters? This is the plot of Janice Hadlow's The Other Bennet Sister, a debut novel with exactly the affection and authority to satisfy Jane Austen fans.

Ultimately, Mary’s journey is like that taken by every Austen heroine. She learns that she can only expect joy when she has accepted who she really is. She must throw off the false expectations and wrong ideas that have combined to obscure her true nature and prevented her from what makes her happy. Only when she undergoes this evolution does she have a chance at finding fulfillment; only then does she have the clarity to recognize her partner when he presents himself - and only at that moment is she genuinely worthy of love.

Mary’s destiny diverges from that of her sisters. It does not involve broad acres or landed gentry. But it does include a man; and, as in all Austen novels, Mary must decide whether he is the truly the one for her. In The Other Bennet Sister, Mary is a fully rounded character - complex, conflicted, and often uncertain; but also vulnerable, supremely sympathetic, and ultimately the protagonist of an uncommonly satisfying debut novel.

Library Journal Best Books of the Year - 2020

Christian Science Monitor Best Books of the Year - 2020

A Macmillan Audio production from Henry Holt and Company

©2020 Janice Hadlow (P)2020 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

Library Journal Best Books of the Year 2020

Christian Science Monitor Best Books of the Year 2020

A must read for all Jane Austen fans...

All about Mary Bennet, written in that familiar Jane Austen style. Witty and funny...captivating yet calm enough to be a comfort read. I adored it!

Amazing!

Loved it so much! It's truth that is very long indeed, but it pays off in the end. it's so moving that I found myself sobbing in some chapters. Mary's characterization is very well done and true to Jane Austen. Her struggles, doubts and fears are so common to any young woman that is impossible not understand her. Also I loved how characters like Mr. Collins and Mr. Hurst are explored in the novel. However her relationship with her older sisters sometimes was very hard to carry on for me since I love Jane and Elizabeth but seeing them in the beginning not in a such a favourable light was a challenge.... but makes total sense in Mary point of view. Impossible not love Mr. Hayward even though sometimes I want to scream to him for being so slow lol

The narration is awesome! The best audiobook production that I listened so far.

My early summer read

I’m so glad for the recommendation from a friend to listen to this book. Enjoyable, entertaining, rich characters and story!

Got scared it would end...

I kept checking to see how many more chapters were left. It was so well done and the narrator was SO talented. What a joy. Hoping this author and narrator team up again soon!

If you love Pride and Prejudice.... Don’t miss this story!

I just loved this story! The Narrator was excellent and I so enjoyed getting “lost” in the character and her situations.