The Other Bennet Sister

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

By: Janice Hadlow

Narrated by: Kristin Atherton

Now seen on BBC One, 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? The Other Bennet Sister 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

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)

Highly recommended

As a Jane Austen fan I think this story is very much like her style. I loved it. The reader is one of the best as her range of characters is brilliant. I have no criticisms whatsoever.

Learning to See, Learning to Be

I liked the original story, but I enjoyed it even more when it began to evolve into something with its own voice and character. What moved me most was the portrayal of a person slowly building her own confidence and shaping her understanding of the world.

It is never easy to grow beyond the limits of one’s own family. In the end, this story is not so much about love, but about forming a true, sincere, and honest relationship with oneself.

Perfection

The new approach to pride and prejudice is refreshing. This book gave me a better view of the characters we already know, not only a better view but also allows us to see them after the new Elizabeth’s story.

Just like Jane Austen, only more compassionate!

l love this book so much!
Sounds exactly like Jane Austen. Mary's journey from timidity/hopelessness to triumph is very touching.
The narrator is amazing too!
Her voice is really versatile.

Loved it!!

A satisfying development from how she was to what she became. Matched Jane Austen sensibilities.