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

Jane would be proud

Great story, great reader. Long and satisfying. Didn't want it to end. Most highly recommended.

Wow! What a very good story by Ms. Hadlow.

This is a interesting take on a character out of the Austen genre. What if there were more to Mary Bennet than the plain, bookish, moralizing prude that Jane Austen describes? Ms. Hadlow's novel is remarkable. This is a wonderful version about the development of the mind, heart and character of Mary, the little known and poorly understood underdog of the sisters. Other characters undergo more development too: my surprising favorite was Mr. Collins. And as for Charlotte Lucus! Who would have guessed it? Ms. Hadlow really knows how to make these people live and breathe.

Austen fan was very satisfied with this book

Loved the story and the narration. Austen fan. excellent read and story was engaging too.

Loved every bit of it

I could have sworn Jane Austen wrote this book. The author even uses some of her favorite phrases. I recognized one from Emma and one from P&P. A real treat. If you are a P&P fan, you will love this, guaranteed.

Mary’s team!

What a wonderful rendition of Mary Benet. Courage, tenacity, smarts, fearlessness and true to life. It made me want to hear more and more about Mary and how her story continues! Bravo! Mrs. Gardner was exceptionally wonderful. And of course Caroline Bingley was her usual self….

Fabulous book for Jane Austen fans

I loved this story so much. I’ve seen people complain about the length but I feel like it was perfect. You really got invested in Mary and her story and you watched some important phases of her life. My only regret is that she didn’t tell off her mother or at least Aunt Gardner should have roasted her. However, her meeting with Caroline was satisfying! Hahaha. I loved this book and could see myself listening to it again! All 18+ hours.

Excellent story and narration

Wonderful novel about the growth of Mary into a woman. The narrator was perfect. What a lovely journey this was.

To marry for love

Mary Bennet’s love story did not go as she planned not as I expected. I do love a good Jane Austen spin off!
Inwrote a longer review in goodreads

Excellent Read!

A delightful and heart warming read. Jane Austen would have been proud of this work.

From a Jane Austen Enthusiast

I loved it. And I believe that Miss Austen would have appreciated the place that they went with Mary.

The early parts reminded me so much of my own thoughts and feelings as a young woman. Her thoughts desires and wishes ridiculed and unimportant to her family. i cried. But how Mary blossomed gave me so much joy. Well done.