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Mary Bennet
No one who has ever seen me would suppose me a heroine. My situation in life, the character of my father and mother, indeed my own person and disposition are all against me.
MARY BENNET
Mrs Bennet is determined that all five of her daughters must marry. Mary knows she is the least attractive of her sisters but to hear her parents laughing at her attempts to overcome this by being intelligent and accomplished send her into a depression.
Mary and her her sister Kitty are sent to Derbyshire so that their elder sister, Mrs Darcy, can introduce them to suitable young gentlemen. On the journey Mary meets a strange gentleman whom she considers ill mannered. However she is intrigued by his knowledge about old buildings.
On arrival at Pemberley, the grand home of the Darcys, Mary discovers that the stranger is a Mr Sharnbrook of Kent and also a house guest. Mr Sharnbrook is an amateur archeologist and has come to Pemberley to excavate possible ancient burial mounds. Mary is interested in his work and her spirits begin to lift.
A continuation of Pride and Prejudice beginning eight months after the end of Jane Austen's novel, Mary Bennet tells the story of how the Bennet's neglected middle daughter tries to overcome the disadvantages of her person and character to find happiness.
MARY BENNET
Mrs Bennet is determined that all five of her daughters must marry. Mary knows she is the least attractive of her sisters but to hear her parents laughing at her attempts to overcome this by being intelligent and accomplished send her into a depression.
Mary and her her sister Kitty are sent to Derbyshire so that their elder sister, Mrs Darcy, can introduce them to suitable young gentlemen. On the journey Mary meets a strange gentleman whom she considers ill mannered. However she is intrigued by his knowledge about old buildings.
On arrival at Pemberley, the grand home of the Darcys, Mary discovers that the stranger is a Mr Sharnbrook of Kent and also a house guest. Mr Sharnbrook is an amateur archeologist and has come to Pemberley to excavate possible ancient burial mounds. Mary is interested in his work and her spirits begin to lift.
A continuation of Pride and Prejudice beginning eight months after the end of Jane Austen's novel, Mary Bennet tells the story of how the Bennet's neglected middle daughter tries to overcome the disadvantages of her person and character to find happiness.
270 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 4, 2014
12 people are currently reading
230 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 18, 2015
I loved this. A lot. It was simple and cute and sometimes you just need that in a book.
I'm fascinated by the authors take on Mary. In Pride and Prejudice she's portrayed as being rather pious, but in this she has a more scientific mind. I actually ended up having a lot in common with her.
It did have a lot of editing problems, but i can't bring myself to give it a lower rating as i loved it so much.
I'm fascinated by the authors take on Mary. In Pride and Prejudice she's portrayed as being rather pious, but in this she has a more scientific mind. I actually ended up having a lot in common with her.
It did have a lot of editing problems, but i can't bring myself to give it a lower rating as i loved it so much.
February 15, 2019
This was a very enjoyable book about Mary Bennet and I enjoyed how the author showed some scenes from the perspective of Mary as well as some from the perspective of Mr. Sharnbrook. I enjoyed this books main story although I would have liked an epilogue and to have found out what happened with Georgiana's possible romance as well as what happened with Kitty. I felt like her story just got forgotten and things never resolved themselves.
March 22, 2014
Such a beautiful continuation to Pride and Prejudice focusing on the shy and demere Mary Bennett. I love classics. The language, the sweet and romantic way the men treated women. Everything about this novel was so well put together. A great portrayal of the times and how hard it was to tell a man you cared way back when.
January 13, 2017
In this Pride and Prejudice sequel Mary and Catherine Bennet are invited/sent to Pemberley to acquire husbands. On their journey northwards, while staying at an inn, Mary meets early one morning a Mr Sharnbrook of Kent. This proves not to be an auspicious start to a relationship but they meet later at Pemberley. Can Mary overcome her faults to have a happy ending.
An enjoyable easy to read tale of one of my favourite characters.
An enjoyable easy to read tale of one of my favourite characters.
October 11, 2019
Huh.
This was pretty good! There were a lot of grammatical and even some spelling issues. Sometimes even story continuity problems. I wish we had gotten a better look at Mr Sharnsbrook’s point of view; his POV was definitely neglected, and it made me wonder at his motives and actions sometimes. Also, Kitty! Her story is never resolved! All that said, the plot kept me wondering how things would go, and I loved seeing Mary’s growth throughout the novel.
3 1/2 stars.
This was pretty good! There were a lot of grammatical and even some spelling issues. Sometimes even story continuity problems. I wish we had gotten a better look at Mr Sharnsbrook’s point of view; his POV was definitely neglected, and it made me wonder at his motives and actions sometimes. Also, Kitty! Her story is never resolved! All that said, the plot kept me wondering how things would go, and I loved seeing Mary’s growth throughout the novel.
3 1/2 stars.
March 4, 2020
this meandered for page after page and ultimately went absolutely nowhere.
March 4, 2021
Loved this book
I want more. Please!!
This is the Mary I imagined. I need to know what happened next, I have no imagination of my own lol
I want more. Please!!
This is the Mary I imagined. I need to know what happened next, I have no imagination of my own lol
November 28, 2021
A nice story of Mary Bennet trying to overcome her shyness to show her disposition to a gentleman.
September 13, 2016
Mary Bennet is a familiar, if somewhat neglected character, in Jane Austen’s classic Pride and Prejudice. Mary, the middle child of the five Bennet sisters, lacks the vivacity and beauty of Elizabeth and Jane and lacks the boy crazy flirtatiousness of Kitty and Lydia. Not surprisingly Mary fades into the background as readers are drawn to the fates of her sister.
Kate Allan gives us the story of Mary, the much maligned middle sister, who for most of her life has been an embarrassment to her family by her complete lack of social grace so important at the time. As a result Mary is often the source of ridicule by some of her siblings and, not surprisingly, her mother. At last, in Mary Bennet, Allan gives Mary center stage and a chance to develop in her own unique way. Allan does not rewrite Austen and I believe that the many fans of Pride and Prejudice will find that Allan remains true to the spirit and characters that Austen created. In this way, Ms. Allan provides an extension to Pride and Prejudice focusing on Mary, the sister that Austen introduced but did not fully explore. The characters that Austen crafted remain identifiable and true to their portrayal by Austen within Allan’s novel.
Allan innovatively gives Mary an academic leaning and it is through research that she meets, collaborates and then come to love Nick Sharnbrook in her own time. Kate Allen lets Mary remain who she is and allows her to find acceptance and love from someone who appreciates her for herself. In the end she needn’t conform or master social grace to accomplish the near impossible, a love match.
Mary Bennet is a wonderful accompaniment to Pride and Prejudice and will appreciate Kate Allan’s exploration of the life of Mary. Mary Bennet is a true must read for anyone who enjoys the novels of Austen as well as those who enjoy the exploration of the life of women constrained by society and family expectations. Who doesn’t love the woman who defies the norm and finds contentment and fulfillment in a life of her own making?
Kate Allan gives us the story of Mary, the much maligned middle sister, who for most of her life has been an embarrassment to her family by her complete lack of social grace so important at the time. As a result Mary is often the source of ridicule by some of her siblings and, not surprisingly, her mother. At last, in Mary Bennet, Allan gives Mary center stage and a chance to develop in her own unique way. Allan does not rewrite Austen and I believe that the many fans of Pride and Prejudice will find that Allan remains true to the spirit and characters that Austen created. In this way, Ms. Allan provides an extension to Pride and Prejudice focusing on Mary, the sister that Austen introduced but did not fully explore. The characters that Austen crafted remain identifiable and true to their portrayal by Austen within Allan’s novel.
Allan innovatively gives Mary an academic leaning and it is through research that she meets, collaborates and then come to love Nick Sharnbrook in her own time. Kate Allen lets Mary remain who she is and allows her to find acceptance and love from someone who appreciates her for herself. In the end she needn’t conform or master social grace to accomplish the near impossible, a love match.
Mary Bennet is a wonderful accompaniment to Pride and Prejudice and will appreciate Kate Allan’s exploration of the life of Mary. Mary Bennet is a true must read for anyone who enjoys the novels of Austen as well as those who enjoy the exploration of the life of women constrained by society and family expectations. Who doesn’t love the woman who defies the norm and finds contentment and fulfillment in a life of her own making?
November 2, 2021
A re-read of this Pride and Prejudice sequel where Mary and Catherine Bennet are invited/sent to Pemberley to acquire husbands. On their journey northwards, while staying at an inn, Mary meets, early one morning a Mr Sharnbrook of Kent. This proves not to be an auspicious start to a relationship when they meet later at Pemberley. Can Mary overcome her faults to have a happy ending.
An entertaining and well-written tale of one of my favourite characters.
An entertaining and well-written tale of one of my favourite characters.
March 21, 2014
Review to follow
April 4, 2014
Review to follow
April 10, 2014
I liked this book. It was a bit like Mary: plain but insightful and sweet.
July 16, 2016
another good continuation. I really hope she does kitty's story, too. there was some editorial strangeness but nothing that distracted too much from the book.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews