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The Other Bennet Sister
- Author
- Janice Hadlow
- Narrator
- Kristin Atherton
- Publisher
- Pan Macmillan
- Publish Date
- 9 January 2020
- Run Time
- 20 hours
- Format
- Audiobook
- Genre
- Historical romance, Historical fiction, Modern and contemporary fiction: literary and general, Family life fiction / Stories about family, Narrative theme: coming of age
- Rating
- 4.2 (5 reviews)
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What to expect
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
Critics Review
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[A] novel that will delight Pride and Prejudice fans
Independent
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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
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Immersive and engaging
Guardian
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It’s difficult not to race through those final pages
Jo Baker, author of LongBourn and The Body Lies
See more reviews See fewer reviews
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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
The Sun
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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
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Fans will need no persuasion . . . Worthy of any Austen heroine
Metro
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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
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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
Stylist magazine — best books of 2020
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Impeccably researched, this lifts Mary from obscurity, as she breaks out of her mother's world and follows her own path
Daily Mail
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A wonderful, absorbing, accomplished book. I loved it
Stephanie Butland, author of Lost for Words and The Woman in the Photograph
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Entertaining and thoroughly engrossing
Kirkus starred review
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Vivid and convincing
Sydney Morning Herald
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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
User Reviews
Book 4.2
Narration 4.4
-
5.0 5.0
This was a very clever and competent companion novel to Pride and Prejudice. The author does an admirable job of augmenting the story of poor Mary, the least appreciated Bennet sister, and she retains the spirit if not the letter of Jane Austen's story.
The narrator of this audiobook does a beautiful job with it.TippyCanoeGal 2026-10-01 -
5.0 5.0
This book was a very plesent surprise. I purchased on a recommendation and I have to say it is brilliant! Granted some of the narration made me cringe a little, but it didn’t stop this being a book I will no doubt listen to again and would recommend.
Honestly I think I preferred this book to the one it’s a spin off from. But shh… don’t tell on me!llabell 2022-12-08
Details
- Author
- Janice Hadlow
- Narrator
- Kristin Atherton
- Duration
- 20 hours
- Release Date
- 9 January 2020
- ISBN
- 9781529035094
- Format
- Audiobook
- Publisher
- Pan Macmillan
- Genre
- Historical romance, Historical fiction, Modern and contemporary fiction: literary and general, Family life fiction / Stories about family, Narrative theme: coming of age
- Rating
- 4.2(5 reviews)
- Narration
- 4.4(5 reviews)
Synopsis
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
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