Regina (virgosun) reviewed The Forgotten Sister: Mary Bennet's Pride and Prejudice on + 887 more book reviews
Have you ever wondered what happened to Mary Bennet? In this latest fiction, Mary truly was the overshadowed daughter in one of literature's most famous group of siblings. Fans of Pride and Prejudice never seem to get enough sequels or variations about the Bennet girls, and while some versions are entertaining and others not so much, The Forgotten Sister touches on the loneliness of being the odd-girl-out.
Plain and insecure Mary, prone to depression and squashed between two sets of sisters who clearly saw her as a tedious embarrassment, struggled to find a place for herself within her own family. Anyone who is a middle child can grasp her sense of isolation, and while the story follows the familiar life of the Bennet household that resulted in her sisters' marriages, we also get a birds-eye view of the shaping of Mary, her friendships, her musical talent, as well as her secret infatuation for an unsuitable fellow.
I got the strong feeling that Mary was misunderstood most of the time and she especially had a contentious relationship with the favored Elizabeth. In fact, Mary witnessed an early scandal involving her witty sibling that unfortunately ended Mary's association with her best friend. We see Elizabeth in a less than favorable light here, which may be a little hard to accept for her most stalwart fans. Certainly, Mary perceived Elizabeth with a sharp eye, suspicious of her motives, and critical of her behavior.
Aside from Mary's feelings, insights, and that little bit of Eliza-scandal, most of this is familiar territory. It's not until Mary falls in love, submits to a long and distant engagement, and ultimately forges a new life far from the Bennet household does the story strike out on its own. While original, I can't say that it was particularly riveting. I was amused, however, that Mr. Darcy, with his apparently far-reaching influence, found a way to ease the new couple's introduction into society. Still, despite her disillusionment with her family, I was happy that Mary courageously grasped happiness of her own. 3.5 stars.
Plain and insecure Mary, prone to depression and squashed between two sets of sisters who clearly saw her as a tedious embarrassment, struggled to find a place for herself within her own family. Anyone who is a middle child can grasp her sense of isolation, and while the story follows the familiar life of the Bennet household that resulted in her sisters' marriages, we also get a birds-eye view of the shaping of Mary, her friendships, her musical talent, as well as her secret infatuation for an unsuitable fellow.
I got the strong feeling that Mary was misunderstood most of the time and she especially had a contentious relationship with the favored Elizabeth. In fact, Mary witnessed an early scandal involving her witty sibling that unfortunately ended Mary's association with her best friend. We see Elizabeth in a less than favorable light here, which may be a little hard to accept for her most stalwart fans. Certainly, Mary perceived Elizabeth with a sharp eye, suspicious of her motives, and critical of her behavior.
Aside from Mary's feelings, insights, and that little bit of Eliza-scandal, most of this is familiar territory. It's not until Mary falls in love, submits to a long and distant engagement, and ultimately forges a new life far from the Bennet household does the story strike out on its own. While original, I can't say that it was particularly riveting. I was amused, however, that Mr. Darcy, with his apparently far-reaching influence, found a way to ease the new couple's introduction into society. Still, despite her disillusionment with her family, I was happy that Mary courageously grasped happiness of her own. 3.5 stars.
