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Back to the Bonnet
‘Mary Bennet takes matters into her own hands in this hilarious and enjoyable time-travelling version of Pride and Prejudice.’ — Cressida Downing, The Book Analyst
Uncover the secret life of Mary Bennet and the extraordinary adventures you had no idea were hidden between the lines of Jane Austen's classic tale.
Matrimony is not a destiny that attracts plain but clever Miss Mary Bennet.
With her family’s fortunes threatened by their own foolish mistakes, deceptive rogues and the inconvenience of male heirs to her family home, the future looks unstable, even bleak. But Mary possesses a secret weapon . . . a bonnet that allows her to travel in time.
In orchestrating events according to her own inclinations, Mary takes an unconventional route to protect her family from ruin. However, she is unprepared for the dark path down which duty and power will lead her.
Uncover the secret life of Mary Bennet and the extraordinary adventures you had no idea were hidden between the lines of Jane Austen's classic tale.
Matrimony is not a destiny that attracts plain but clever Miss Mary Bennet.
With her family’s fortunes threatened by their own foolish mistakes, deceptive rogues and the inconvenience of male heirs to her family home, the future looks unstable, even bleak. But Mary possesses a secret weapon . . . a bonnet that allows her to travel in time.
In orchestrating events according to her own inclinations, Mary takes an unconventional route to protect her family from ruin. However, she is unprepared for the dark path down which duty and power will lead her.
312 pages, Paperback
Published September 10, 2020
18 people are currently reading
98 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
January 9, 2022
My Rating: 4.5* rounded up to 5*
I received this book as my Jolabokaflod 2021 gift (an Icelandic tradition of gifting a book on Christmas Eve). Thank you to Melissa S. for sending it to me!
"A STITCH LOST" (quote from the book)
Back to the Bonnet is the debut novel by Ms. Duke and one I have wanted to read for over a year. I was not sure what exactly to expect, but I was blown away by its cleverness, originality, laugh-out-loud moments and the deep-seeded care Mary Bennet has for her family...even if some do not return it or understand her.
"I felt smaller as they spoke, shrunken under yet more words of ridicule and misunderstanding which joined with those I had collected over years past, threatening to bury me alive." (quote from the book)
The book follows canon but with some interesting changes that in some cases only affect Mary and certain other characters. The use of some characters from other Jane Austen novels was well done. I must say, I did enjoy Chamberlayne's and Charlotte's role in this story. Mary's new inheritance of her great-aunt's bonnet leads her on a journey that has her stepping outside her comfort zone and learning more about human nature and herself than she ever would from a book.
"An uncanny question crept through me, one which would repeat itself like a running stitch throughout my life. Was I in control or was the bonnet?" (quote from the book)
There is one thread (maybe two) in this story (Mr. Collins and his brothers and to some degree Lady Catherine) that I felt was somewhat superfluous and felt it wasn't fully developed which near the end made Mary's actions too dark. It just felt too tangled. But that is my only real criticism and not enough to take away my enjoyment of the overall novel.
I was completely captivated with this adventurous romp and the magical abilities of a nondescript bonnet! I highly recommend it! Brava Ms. Duke...I look forward to next your book!
April 2, 2022
What If Mary Bennet Could Turn Back Tiiiiioome?
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Source: Review Copy from Author
TYPE OF NOVEL: Pride and Prejudice Time Travel, Secondary Character
TIME FRAME: Begins just before Mr. Bingley leases Netherfield
SYNOPSIS: Mary’s great-aunt Harriet Gardiner bequeathed her an unattractive and old bonnet with the secret magical ability to travel through time. Now with Mary’s great power, comes great responsibility – she is on a mission to ensure a secure future for her sisters and herself.
WHAT I LOVED:
- Such a Clever Premise: With all the fluke coincidences and chance encounters taking place in Pride and Prejudice it is almost as if there was someone pulling some strings to to bring certain characters and events together. Well, there actually is someone pulling strings – literally – Mary Bennet. Whenever she removes/adds one stitch from her bonnet and places it on her head, she travels one hour backwards/forwards in time. Such a fantastic way to time travel, right? And what an interesting character to bestow this ability on!
- Puppet-Master Mary: Because she has no desire to marry, herself, Mary Bennet’s main goal with her ability to travel through time is to help her sisters find happy marriages that would secure a stable future for their family (you know with the entail and all). Mrs. Bennet has no idea that her middle daughter is such an ally to her own life goals! It was great fun to see how Mary would orchestrate events, meetings, arrivals, etc. to bring about some familiar coincidences and scenes. For example, there was more than one possible new tenant for Netherfield Park and Charlotte originally invited someone else to come visit her at Hunsford. But now Mary is a puppet-master of sorts and she arranges things to best achieve her own aims. And just like in life, Mary learns that things don’t always go according to plan and that even with the ability to go back in time, she can’t always counteract the independent wills of others.
- Magical Bonnet Properties: I loved the magic behind this bonnet! Not only does it allow the wearer to move forwards and backwards, but it also has several other surprises in store (but I shall not divulge them here!) I will only say that these additional capabilities were wonderfully creative and I loved how Ms. Duke (and Mary Bennet) implemented them!
- Charlotte, Mr. Chamberlyne, Mrs. Pepperstock: I adored these supporting characters and the roles they played in this story as Mary’s closest confidants and friends. There were some pleasing and progressive new developments with Charlotte and Mr. Chamberlyne, and I thoroughly approved of them and appreciated the subtle and inclusive ways they were introduced. In addition, I enjoyed the Ms. Duke’s original character – Mrs. Pepperstock. She was a hoot! I loved the thoughtful development of these relationships. Each was meaningful and evolved in a unique way.
- Mary vs. Lydia: Ooh! I enjoyed seeing these two lock horns and duke it out! I applaud Mary for holding her own and not always tolerating Lydia’s nonsense. She can be the worst sometimes. It felt unique to explore this combative dynamic between Mary and Lydia.
WHAT I WASN’T TOO FOND OF:
- A Step Too Far: While there were some parts of the story that I felt could do with a little more tightening and/or less telling, my main point of discontent was with a decision Mary made later in the book that caused her to do something truly immoral. And even though this Mary Bennet is bolder and worldlier. It seemed inconsistent with her overall character make-up, and felt a little implausible when she was not deeply troubled by committing such an unforgivable offense.
CONCLUSION:
Back to the Bonnet is a splendidly amusing adventure that is sure to divert readers who wish to explore some alternate avenues with Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. I adored Jennifer Duke’s imaginative ideas, her playful and thoughtful approach to Jane Austen’s characters, and her writing style, which is equal parts frankness, humor, and charm. I highly recommend!
Austenesque Reviews
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Source: Review Copy from Author
TYPE OF NOVEL: Pride and Prejudice Time Travel, Secondary Character
TIME FRAME: Begins just before Mr. Bingley leases Netherfield
SYNOPSIS: Mary’s great-aunt Harriet Gardiner bequeathed her an unattractive and old bonnet with the secret magical ability to travel through time. Now with Mary’s great power, comes great responsibility – she is on a mission to ensure a secure future for her sisters and herself.
WHAT I LOVED:
- Such a Clever Premise: With all the fluke coincidences and chance encounters taking place in Pride and Prejudice it is almost as if there was someone pulling some strings to to bring certain characters and events together. Well, there actually is someone pulling strings – literally – Mary Bennet. Whenever she removes/adds one stitch from her bonnet and places it on her head, she travels one hour backwards/forwards in time. Such a fantastic way to time travel, right? And what an interesting character to bestow this ability on!
- Puppet-Master Mary: Because she has no desire to marry, herself, Mary Bennet’s main goal with her ability to travel through time is to help her sisters find happy marriages that would secure a stable future for their family (you know with the entail and all). Mrs. Bennet has no idea that her middle daughter is such an ally to her own life goals! It was great fun to see how Mary would orchestrate events, meetings, arrivals, etc. to bring about some familiar coincidences and scenes. For example, there was more than one possible new tenant for Netherfield Park and Charlotte originally invited someone else to come visit her at Hunsford. But now Mary is a puppet-master of sorts and she arranges things to best achieve her own aims. And just like in life, Mary learns that things don’t always go according to plan and that even with the ability to go back in time, she can’t always counteract the independent wills of others.
- Magical Bonnet Properties: I loved the magic behind this bonnet! Not only does it allow the wearer to move forwards and backwards, but it also has several other surprises in store (but I shall not divulge them here!) I will only say that these additional capabilities were wonderfully creative and I loved how Ms. Duke (and Mary Bennet) implemented them!
- Charlotte, Mr. Chamberlyne, Mrs. Pepperstock: I adored these supporting characters and the roles they played in this story as Mary’s closest confidants and friends. There were some pleasing and progressive new developments with Charlotte and Mr. Chamberlyne, and I thoroughly approved of them and appreciated the subtle and inclusive ways they were introduced. In addition, I enjoyed the Ms. Duke’s original character – Mrs. Pepperstock. She was a hoot! I loved the thoughtful development of these relationships. Each was meaningful and evolved in a unique way.
- Mary vs. Lydia: Ooh! I enjoyed seeing these two lock horns and duke it out! I applaud Mary for holding her own and not always tolerating Lydia’s nonsense. She can be the worst sometimes. It felt unique to explore this combative dynamic between Mary and Lydia.
WHAT I WASN’T TOO FOND OF:
- A Step Too Far: While there were some parts of the story that I felt could do with a little more tightening and/or less telling, my main point of discontent was with a decision Mary made later in the book that caused her to do something truly immoral. And even though this Mary Bennet is bolder and worldlier. It seemed inconsistent with her overall character make-up, and felt a little implausible when she was not deeply troubled by committing such an unforgivable offense.
CONCLUSION:
Back to the Bonnet is a splendidly amusing adventure that is sure to divert readers who wish to explore some alternate avenues with Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. I adored Jennifer Duke’s imaginative ideas, her playful and thoughtful approach to Jane Austen’s characters, and her writing style, which is equal parts frankness, humor, and charm. I highly recommend!
Austenesque Reviews
July 28, 2024
“Time is an illusion.” –Albert Einstein
SPOILER ALERT: This review may contain *** SPOILERS *** I’m afraid so.
>>Rating: Mature: sexual references to m/m love, molly house, hints at w/w affection, language even with some missing letters. There were incidents of violence, murder, death, more murders, shots fired, and the death of characters. Goodness, they were dropping like flies.
>>Angst Level: stressful as I wanted it to be over
>>Source: Borrowed from KU [5-12-24]: I volunteered to leave a review. [3.5 stars]
>>Trope: paranormal: time slip/transportation
“They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself.” –Andy Warhol, The Philosophy of Andy Warhol
This certainly was not the Mary Bennet we have ever encountered before. Nope, this was a completely different person altogether. I can’t say I liked her. She was brash, bold, and not pious at all. Her aunt had died and left a bequest for her family. Lydia and her mother were the first to grab… um… hand out the gifts in the box. Lydia fingered an old hat and handed it to Mary. She remembered her aunt always had the hat with her. Mary soon learned the secret of the hat. The adventures that followed were crazy, farcical, outrageous, and improbable. But that is the essence of a paranormal story. Amazon indicated this was the author’s first published novel.
SPOILER ALERT: This review may contain *** SPOILERS *** I’m afraid so.
>>Rating: Mature: sexual references to m/m love, molly house, hints at w/w affection, language even with some missing letters. There were incidents of violence, murder, death, more murders, shots fired, and the death of characters. Goodness, they were dropping like flies.
>>Angst Level: stressful as I wanted it to be over
>>Source: Borrowed from KU [5-12-24]: I volunteered to leave a review. [3.5 stars]
>>Trope: paranormal: time slip/transportation
“They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself.” –Andy Warhol, The Philosophy of Andy Warhol
This certainly was not the Mary Bennet we have ever encountered before. Nope, this was a completely different person altogether. I can’t say I liked her. She was brash, bold, and not pious at all. Her aunt had died and left a bequest for her family. Lydia and her mother were the first to grab… um… hand out the gifts in the box. Lydia fingered an old hat and handed it to Mary. She remembered her aunt always had the hat with her. Mary soon learned the secret of the hat. The adventures that followed were crazy, farcical, outrageous, and improbable. But that is the essence of a paranormal story. Amazon indicated this was the author’s first published novel.
October 20, 2020
5+ stars
Books routinely employ coincidence. There are a number of them in Pride and Prejudice. Imagine if Mr. Bingley hadn't leased Netherfield - Jane Bennet would not have met him, and Elizabeth would not have met Darcy. Imagine if Elizabeth hadn't gone to visit Charlotte Collins in Hunsford - Darcy wouldn't have given in to his feelings and proposed marriage to her. Or if Darcy didn't just happen to arrive at Pemberley at the same time Elizabeth was touring it with her aunt and uncle - they never would've had a second chance to end up together. There are other significant coincidences, but you get the idea.
Back to the Bonnet gives us the same story...eventually. We also read how things COULD have played out if these and other "coincidences" hadn't happened. But then Mary Bennet intervened.
That's right. Mary. Ms. Duke brings the boring Bennet sister out from the shadows and very cleverly makes her the architect of all the family's future happiness, thanks to a magical bonnet bequeathed to her by her peculiar aunt Harriet.
It's an ugly bonnet, and no one understands why Aunt Harriet regularly wore it, but once Mary has it in her possession, its priceless value becomes evident. It allows her to hear relevant conversations via others' headgear (bonnets, top hats, military hats...). Even better, by removing or adding stitches, Mary can move back and forward in time.
As it happens, less-than-desirable characters from Northanger Abbey and Mansfield Park are interested in occupying Netherfield. Once Mary discovers their true characters, she and her trusty bonnet go back in time, intentionally disrupt the time continuum, and manage things so it's Mr. Bingley who eventually moves in - and time marches forward from there, occasionally needing more of Mary's assistance to avert disaster for the Bennets. In this imagining, Charlotte Lucas is closer to Mary than Elizabeth, which also helps to push the plot forward. And Mary assists Mr. Chamberlayne, one of the militia officers, leading the two to form a mutually beneficial friendship.
I love how this matches up with Pride and Prejudice despite being a completely different story. Ms. Duke delivers it with excellent writing chops, too. It's not especially romantic - most of the romance being orchestrated by Mary rather than any that she personally experiences - but it's still a wonderfully unique and well-executed story.
Books routinely employ coincidence. There are a number of them in Pride and Prejudice. Imagine if Mr. Bingley hadn't leased Netherfield - Jane Bennet would not have met him, and Elizabeth would not have met Darcy. Imagine if Elizabeth hadn't gone to visit Charlotte Collins in Hunsford - Darcy wouldn't have given in to his feelings and proposed marriage to her. Or if Darcy didn't just happen to arrive at Pemberley at the same time Elizabeth was touring it with her aunt and uncle - they never would've had a second chance to end up together. There are other significant coincidences, but you get the idea.
Back to the Bonnet gives us the same story...eventually. We also read how things COULD have played out if these and other "coincidences" hadn't happened. But then Mary Bennet intervened.
That's right. Mary. Ms. Duke brings the boring Bennet sister out from the shadows and very cleverly makes her the architect of all the family's future happiness, thanks to a magical bonnet bequeathed to her by her peculiar aunt Harriet.
It's an ugly bonnet, and no one understands why Aunt Harriet regularly wore it, but once Mary has it in her possession, its priceless value becomes evident. It allows her to hear relevant conversations via others' headgear (bonnets, top hats, military hats...). Even better, by removing or adding stitches, Mary can move back and forward in time.
As it happens, less-than-desirable characters from Northanger Abbey and Mansfield Park are interested in occupying Netherfield. Once Mary discovers their true characters, she and her trusty bonnet go back in time, intentionally disrupt the time continuum, and manage things so it's Mr. Bingley who eventually moves in - and time marches forward from there, occasionally needing more of Mary's assistance to avert disaster for the Bennets. In this imagining, Charlotte Lucas is closer to Mary than Elizabeth, which also helps to push the plot forward. And Mary assists Mr. Chamberlayne, one of the militia officers, leading the two to form a mutually beneficial friendship.
I love how this matches up with Pride and Prejudice despite being a completely different story. Ms. Duke delivers it with excellent writing chops, too. It's not especially romantic - most of the romance being orchestrated by Mary rather than any that she personally experiences - but it's still a wonderfully unique and well-executed story.
January 5, 2021
In this P&P variation Mrs Bennet's Aunt Harriet has died and willed some items to her family. While her sisters have chosen, all that is left is an ugly bonnet which Lydia decides Mary should have. But to Mary's surprise the bonnet has a secret. The wearer can travel forward or backward in time resulting in Mary's secret life. But can Mary divert and help her family to happiness during her travels.
A fun and enjoyable well-written story. A delightful story about the forgotten sister.
A fun and enjoyable well-written story. A delightful story about the forgotten sister.
September 26, 2020
4.25-4.5 Deductions for certain events that occur late in the book. Otherwise, quite a mad cap ride.
September 21, 2021
Review Published at:
https://frompemberleytomilton.wordpre...
Back to the Bonnet has been on my TBR shelf for a few months and my only regret was that I did not pick it up sooner because this is one of the most original, fun and interesting stories I’ve read this year.
In this book Miss Mary Bennet inherits an old bonnet from her late great aunt Harriet, but this bonnet holds a secret no one would imagine, it has magical powers, namely the ability to go back in time.
When Mary discovers this characteristic, she realizes she has the power to secretly help her family so she starts going back in time to fix some situations, and as the story progresses, the reader starts realizing that the events he witnesses in Pride and Prejudice would never have happened without Mary’s intervention. So why doesn’t she stop Lydia from eloping with Whickham? Well, that is part of why this book is so interesting. It has a story of its own, and the reader will have to read along to discover why Mary is able to fix some situations but not others.
One of the aspects I loved the most about this book was its originality and the unexpected factor. The reader never knows what is going to happen because the Pride & Prejudice events as we know them may or may not exist the first time around. The reader keeps seeing events that will be erased, modified and/or replaced by others due to Mary’s intervention, and not knowing if, when, or how she will change them was very exciting. Because I never knew what would happen next, I could not put the book down until I knew if something was truly going to happen, how it would play out, and why Mary would allow for Lydia’s elopement to occur. That question never left my mind until I reached that part of the book. The question is, did she allow it?
The plot of Back to the Bonnet is definitely original, but the way it is written and the events that transpire through the entire story were even more original and impressive in my opinion. Even if the story will go through the events of Pride & Prejudice, this book has a story of its own, a hidden story the reader was not aware of, and the behind the scenes events that take place are at times even more exciting then the P&P events themselves. I cannot express how much I loved the way this story progressed.
Another aspect I loved in this story was Mary’s character. I believe her character has a lot of potential, therefore, I like to see how writers develop her character in a different light, which is usually the case, but in this novel what I absolutely loved was that the author didn’t portray her as a different Mary. She was exactly as Jane Austen described her, we simply know more about her because we can see her perspective of all the events that are occurring. It was also very enlightening to witness firsthand her opinion concerning Elizabeth’s actions. We usually see Elizabeth as a heroine, but has anyone thought about how her family would react to her attitudes? What would they think if they knew that she not only refused Mr. Collins but also Mr. Darcy? In this book we get to see the other side of the story and it was really interesting.
I absolutely loved how faithful and interesting Mary’s character was in this novel. I loved her strength, her dedication to her family, her morals, her posture towards life, etc. There was only one small quibble I had for a time, which was her actions towards the Collins’s, but as I approached the end of the book, I forgot about that, so in the end it didn’t bother me as much.
Mary’s relationship with Charlotte and Chamberlayne were also an added value to the story, and I particularly liked to see how Chamberlayne’s story played out and the way that they helped each other.
Summing up, Back to the Bonnet is certainly one of the most original and exciting books I’ve read this year. I could not put it down due to the excitement and unknown present in the book, as well as the writing style which is extremely appealing. I would recommend this book to everyone who loves Mary Bennet and likes different approaches to Pride & Prejudice. You will not regret reading this sensational novel 😊
https://frompemberleytomilton.wordpre...
Back to the Bonnet has been on my TBR shelf for a few months and my only regret was that I did not pick it up sooner because this is one of the most original, fun and interesting stories I’ve read this year.
In this book Miss Mary Bennet inherits an old bonnet from her late great aunt Harriet, but this bonnet holds a secret no one would imagine, it has magical powers, namely the ability to go back in time.
When Mary discovers this characteristic, she realizes she has the power to secretly help her family so she starts going back in time to fix some situations, and as the story progresses, the reader starts realizing that the events he witnesses in Pride and Prejudice would never have happened without Mary’s intervention. So why doesn’t she stop Lydia from eloping with Whickham? Well, that is part of why this book is so interesting. It has a story of its own, and the reader will have to read along to discover why Mary is able to fix some situations but not others.
One of the aspects I loved the most about this book was its originality and the unexpected factor. The reader never knows what is going to happen because the Pride & Prejudice events as we know them may or may not exist the first time around. The reader keeps seeing events that will be erased, modified and/or replaced by others due to Mary’s intervention, and not knowing if, when, or how she will change them was very exciting. Because I never knew what would happen next, I could not put the book down until I knew if something was truly going to happen, how it would play out, and why Mary would allow for Lydia’s elopement to occur. That question never left my mind until I reached that part of the book. The question is, did she allow it?
The plot of Back to the Bonnet is definitely original, but the way it is written and the events that transpire through the entire story were even more original and impressive in my opinion. Even if the story will go through the events of Pride & Prejudice, this book has a story of its own, a hidden story the reader was not aware of, and the behind the scenes events that take place are at times even more exciting then the P&P events themselves. I cannot express how much I loved the way this story progressed.
Another aspect I loved in this story was Mary’s character. I believe her character has a lot of potential, therefore, I like to see how writers develop her character in a different light, which is usually the case, but in this novel what I absolutely loved was that the author didn’t portray her as a different Mary. She was exactly as Jane Austen described her, we simply know more about her because we can see her perspective of all the events that are occurring. It was also very enlightening to witness firsthand her opinion concerning Elizabeth’s actions. We usually see Elizabeth as a heroine, but has anyone thought about how her family would react to her attitudes? What would they think if they knew that she not only refused Mr. Collins but also Mr. Darcy? In this book we get to see the other side of the story and it was really interesting.
I absolutely loved how faithful and interesting Mary’s character was in this novel. I loved her strength, her dedication to her family, her morals, her posture towards life, etc. There was only one small quibble I had for a time, which was her actions towards the Collins’s, but as I approached the end of the book, I forgot about that, so in the end it didn’t bother me as much.
Mary’s relationship with Charlotte and Chamberlayne were also an added value to the story, and I particularly liked to see how Chamberlayne’s story played out and the way that they helped each other.
Summing up, Back to the Bonnet is certainly one of the most original and exciting books I’ve read this year. I could not put it down due to the excitement and unknown present in the book, as well as the writing style which is extremely appealing. I would recommend this book to everyone who loves Mary Bennet and likes different approaches to Pride & Prejudice. You will not regret reading this sensational novel 😊
October 5, 2020
In this P&P variation Mrs Bennet's Aunt Harriet has died and willed some items to her family. While her sisters have chosen, all that is left is an ugly bonnet which Lydia decides Mary should have. But to Mary's surprise the bonnet has a secret. The wearer can travel forward for backward in time resulting in Mary's secret life. But can Mary divert and help her family to happiness during her travels.
A fun and enjoyable well-written story. A delightful story about the forgotten sister.
A fun and enjoyable well-written story. A delightful story about the forgotten sister.
November 22, 2020
This book was so much fun!! As an Austen fan who's usually a stickler for accuracy in any adaptations and pastiches, it was far easier than I'd have thought to put any of those values aside and just enjoy this book in its full, silly glory. Though perhaps some of Mary Bennet's methods in this novel were out of both her character and the norm of regency society, I took far too much pleasure in the execution to mind. Watching the story we know and love be shaped by Mary's fumbling ventures through time was so much fun, and the unlikely friendships she made along the way were so endearing.
I'd definitely recommend anyone after a light hearted page turner choose this!
I'd definitely recommend anyone after a light hearted page turner choose this!
August 1, 2024
I would have given this 5 stars if the author had decided to actually write the unmentioned relationship between M and C. Mary can be a do things that I can't mention because of spoilers (though I am editing this review because I had spoiled it at first!) but not a lesbian that we name. Don’t ask, don’t tell.
May 21, 2023
SPOILERS IN REVIEW
Another book where the premise had potential but the execution leaves A LOT to be desired.
Mary inherits a bonnet with time travel capability then proceeds to do some good but mostly bad.
She murders two people with no qualms and doesn’t go back to change it because she’s…tired? I don’t know. I hate when killers get away with murder and that includes Mary Bennet. There’s a confusing epilogue and really this book is a mess.
This book totally ignores Regency properties with Mary traveling here, there and everywhere alone.
Another book where the premise had potential but the execution leaves A LOT to be desired.
Mary inherits a bonnet with time travel capability then proceeds to do some good but mostly bad.
She murders two people with no qualms and doesn’t go back to change it because she’s…tired? I don’t know. I hate when killers get away with murder and that includes Mary Bennet. There’s a confusing epilogue and really this book is a mess.
This book totally ignores Regency properties with Mary traveling here, there and everywhere alone.
November 25, 2020
Absurd and SO FUN! The story intertwined so cleverly and the new ideas Duke was coming up with as we went along were funny and genius! Loved.
Read
September 30, 2020I really enjoyed this story. The author takes Mary Bennet, whose more famous sisters in the novel Pride and Prejudice seem to have all the story and gives this one to her. Inheriting a bonnet with mysterious qualities for time-travel, Mary can at least try and alter events as they head towards trouble, saving silly Lydia from utter disgrace with Wickham in one instance. Whether you know Austen's story well doesn't matter. Jennie Duke gives us an agreeable Austenesque tone, which I enjoyed very much.
Read
October 6, 2020
I had so much fun writing BACK TO THE BONNET and I'm delighted that it is out in the world now for readers to enjoy. If you like Jane Austen spin-offs, comedy, time-travel and/or magical realism, why not put on your comfy slippers, get yourself some cake and a cup of tea (or something stronger) and settle in for a lovely reading session? Fall into the comfortable familiarity of the world of Pride and Prejudice, with the fun of entertaining twists and new viewpoints. Let Mary take you on a journey through her secret and extraordinary adventures...
Excerpt:
“Pray, explain yourself, Mr Chamberlayne. What might you possibly have to thank me for?”
“No, I suppose you wouldn’t know,” he said, laughing again. “Come, let us talk.”
“But I am unaccompanied, I can hardly—”
“Oh really, Miss Mary!” He lowered his voice and leant closer. “Does convention hold you back? You who deny all conventions of time, twisting it from its proper course?” His gaze lifted to my great aunt’s bonnet again and I instinctively put my hand to it. He nodded.
“How do you—?” I looked around. The street was too busy. “Come on,” I said. “I know a place where we can speak alone.”
“But what of my reputation, Miss Mary?” he said when he had caught up with me.
I ignored that remark as well as his childish smirk. This was serious. I had to know how much he knew about the bonnet and what it could do.
Feel free to visit my website at: https://www.jennifer-duke.com
10% author's net royalties support UK registered charity TreeSisters plant trees. For more information about the charity, please visit my 'Supporting' page on my website (address above) or TreeSisters website: https://www.treesisters.org .
September 26, 2020
Loved it! Clever, funny, modern and a real page turner. Would recommend to both Austen fans or to those who aren't.
May 4, 2022
I wanted to like this book I certainly enjoyed the sample enough to download the entire story and I am far from a P&P purist I generally like it when books and authors take a chance
The premise of this story; while unrealistic, is quite clever. In that Mary Bennet is the inheritor of a hideous out of fashion bonnet that through magical properties never explained can manipulate time.
Which turns Mary into the deus ex machina of this story. I. Which we learn that there were two previous tenants at Netherfield which Mary dispatched to clear the path for an acceptable tenant and that Jane taking the carriage rather than Nellie to Netherfield is a much more dangerous proposition
Also Lydia could be much more awful at the ball than normal and all of these bits were clever and enjoyable and fairly even handed
But then Mary gets what I can only term as a God complex and is never happy with an outcome that could be better so she keeps using the bonnet to fix things . Until she eventually becomes so OOC I was horrified
Another disappointment is the author’s use of alright and many contractions in a book with Regency era spelling for show
And lastly it is heavily implied that Mary and Charlotte are LGBTQI and definitely spelled out that Chamberlyn and another officer are as well
The premise of this story; while unrealistic, is quite clever. In that Mary Bennet is the inheritor of a hideous out of fashion bonnet that through magical properties never explained can manipulate time.
Which turns Mary into the deus ex machina of this story. I. Which we learn that there were two previous tenants at Netherfield which Mary dispatched to clear the path for an acceptable tenant and that Jane taking the carriage rather than Nellie to Netherfield is a much more dangerous proposition
Also Lydia could be much more awful at the ball than normal and all of these bits were clever and enjoyable and fairly even handed
But then Mary gets what I can only term as a God complex and is never happy with an outcome that could be better so she keeps using the bonnet to fix things . Until she eventually becomes so OOC I was horrified
Another disappointment is the author’s use of alright and many contractions in a book with Regency era spelling for show
And lastly it is heavily implied that Mary and Charlotte are LGBTQI and definitely spelled out that Chamberlyn and another officer are as well
July 18, 2021
Some of my favorite tales from movies and literature include time travel. The Outlander series, The Time Traveler’s Wife (the book, not the movie), Somewhere in Time/Bid Time Return, and Back to the Future are just a few titles which come to mind. In each case, the plausibility of the “science” or magic behind the time traveling is not crucial. The story and overarching narratives carry more weight in my opinion of a piece. Can one truly walk “through” ancient standing stones to 18th century Scotland? Shall we one day find ourselves riding in souped-up DeLoreans at 88 miles per hour into another era? If time travel does become possible, it most certainly won’t be via those mechanisms. And yet, fans of those tales are able to enjoy them because they accept their premises. After this, we move on to the story itself and are amused with the repercussions of those travels through time.
In her novel Back to the Bonnet, author Jennifer Duke does not employ the use of a DeLorean for time travel. Instead, the mode of transport comes in the form of a well worn, out of fashion bonnet set in the world of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. If that premise has you grimacing rather than giggling, then Back to the Bonnet is not for you. It is for similar reasons that I myself have avoided reading Austenesque fiction that involves zombies or aliens, for example. I’m just not going to buy into those stories. But manipulating the embroidery of a bonnet, stitch by stitch to add or subtract time? Sure! Why not? Yes, it’s absurd, but it’s my kind of absurdity!
Pride and Prejudice is arguably Austen’s most popular novel, and the less-popular character of Mary Bennet is often overshadowed by the beautiful Jane, the tempestuous Lydia, or the protagonistic Elizabeth. In Back to the Bonnet, Mary takes center stage after haphazardly inheriting a magical bonnet that can transport its wearer through time. Through this device, Miss Bennet is able to right wrongs that readers of Austen’s work have never been privy to in the past. Mary’s choices aren’t flawless however. She stumbles at times and learns that she cannot control all aspects of her loved ones’ fates. Along the way however, readers will be treated to an amusing speculation of what “would have been” if the characters of Pride and Prejudice had made different choices, or if Mary had not been secretly working behind the scenes to give destiny a little “nudge”. In Jennifer Duke’s world, the dowdy, almost ignored Bennet sister becomes a powerful force working to ensure the happiness and security of the entire family.
While not my favorite time travel story of all time, Back to the Bonnet was a diverting read to take in during my summer break. There are also some additional, amusing fantastical elements that are revealed as the story progresses, but I will not divulge them here and spoil the fun. I would simply advise to once again “go with it” when surprising features of the bonnet are discovered, and just be entertained!
For my conservative readership, I would say that in general the content here is appropriate for most audiences. Mary does have a closeted gay friend who knows her secret, and I picked up on some possible same-sex attraction between two female characters as well. These aspects are not thoroughly explored, however. Also, while some characters do use colorful language, Duke has chosen the literary device of printing merely the first letter of certain words, plus an em-dash. I haven’t seen this writing choice in a while, and I appreciated its usage.
My two sharpest criticisms are minor. Without giving away special details about the bonnet, I will say that there were times when I briefly became confused about the identity of speakers in a dialogue, and/or their current location. This probably will not make sense to those who have not read the book, but I would just suggest that as you are reading, take careful note of who is speaking and from where. My second critique comes in some decisions that Mary feels she has to make near the end of the story. Although I understood her reasoning for doing what she did, I found her actions to be wholly inconsistent with her character in general. However, in the spirit of just “going with” the story, I chose to accept those decisions as well. We have a time-traveling bonnet, for goodness sake!
Again, fans of lighthearted time traveling tales will find much to enjoy in Back to the Bonnet. Jennifer Duke has taken her readers on a fun dive into the world of Pride and Prejudice, showing us not only what “could have been” but also behind the scenes secrets never before revealed. I will certainly never look at embroidered bonnets in the same way again. They will bring a smile to my face and a fanciful wish for the power to travel as Miss Mary Bennet did in Jennifer Duke’s Regency England.
In her novel Back to the Bonnet, author Jennifer Duke does not employ the use of a DeLorean for time travel. Instead, the mode of transport comes in the form of a well worn, out of fashion bonnet set in the world of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. If that premise has you grimacing rather than giggling, then Back to the Bonnet is not for you. It is for similar reasons that I myself have avoided reading Austenesque fiction that involves zombies or aliens, for example. I’m just not going to buy into those stories. But manipulating the embroidery of a bonnet, stitch by stitch to add or subtract time? Sure! Why not? Yes, it’s absurd, but it’s my kind of absurdity!
Pride and Prejudice is arguably Austen’s most popular novel, and the less-popular character of Mary Bennet is often overshadowed by the beautiful Jane, the tempestuous Lydia, or the protagonistic Elizabeth. In Back to the Bonnet, Mary takes center stage after haphazardly inheriting a magical bonnet that can transport its wearer through time. Through this device, Miss Bennet is able to right wrongs that readers of Austen’s work have never been privy to in the past. Mary’s choices aren’t flawless however. She stumbles at times and learns that she cannot control all aspects of her loved ones’ fates. Along the way however, readers will be treated to an amusing speculation of what “would have been” if the characters of Pride and Prejudice had made different choices, or if Mary had not been secretly working behind the scenes to give destiny a little “nudge”. In Jennifer Duke’s world, the dowdy, almost ignored Bennet sister becomes a powerful force working to ensure the happiness and security of the entire family.
While not my favorite time travel story of all time, Back to the Bonnet was a diverting read to take in during my summer break. There are also some additional, amusing fantastical elements that are revealed as the story progresses, but I will not divulge them here and spoil the fun. I would simply advise to once again “go with it” when surprising features of the bonnet are discovered, and just be entertained!
For my conservative readership, I would say that in general the content here is appropriate for most audiences. Mary does have a closeted gay friend who knows her secret, and I picked up on some possible same-sex attraction between two female characters as well. These aspects are not thoroughly explored, however. Also, while some characters do use colorful language, Duke has chosen the literary device of printing merely the first letter of certain words, plus an em-dash. I haven’t seen this writing choice in a while, and I appreciated its usage.
My two sharpest criticisms are minor. Without giving away special details about the bonnet, I will say that there were times when I briefly became confused about the identity of speakers in a dialogue, and/or their current location. This probably will not make sense to those who have not read the book, but I would just suggest that as you are reading, take careful note of who is speaking and from where. My second critique comes in some decisions that Mary feels she has to make near the end of the story. Although I understood her reasoning for doing what she did, I found her actions to be wholly inconsistent with her character in general. However, in the spirit of just “going with” the story, I chose to accept those decisions as well. We have a time-traveling bonnet, for goodness sake!
Again, fans of lighthearted time traveling tales will find much to enjoy in Back to the Bonnet. Jennifer Duke has taken her readers on a fun dive into the world of Pride and Prejudice, showing us not only what “could have been” but also behind the scenes secrets never before revealed. I will certainly never look at embroidered bonnets in the same way again. They will bring a smile to my face and a fanciful wish for the power to travel as Miss Mary Bennet did in Jennifer Duke’s Regency England.
December 20, 2020
We all know and love the story of Pride and Prejudice, but what if, behind those famous romances, it was in fact the plainest sister, Mary Bennet, who orchestrated everything using the power of time travel? And so our story begins...
This was such a pleasure to read - I think a lot of people wanted to see more of Mary (who probably has one of the smallest roles in P&P), and here she finally takes centre stage as our heroine, albeit to help her sisters find love rather than herself.
The story is beautifully written, full of the kind of charm we’d expect from Jane Austen herself, and all our favourite characters are still here - one of my favourite parts of the story was the close relationship between Mary and Charlotte Lucas, and I’m not sure if I read too much into it but I wasn’t sure if there may have been a deeper love than friendship implied here...
Whilst die hard Austen fans may not appreciate this clever and magical twist on the original story, I went in with an open mind and really enjoyed it - the writing style stayed true to the original, and the time travelling was done in a subtle and believable way. I really loved Mary’s moment in the spotlight, and being taken back to the magic of P&P all over again 💚
March 7, 2021
Yuck
Didn't enjoy this book at all. Mary didn't get a happily ever after and the hints of "alternative lifestyle choices" were totally unnecessary. I really didn't like this book and I am insulted on Jane Austen's behalf.
Didn't enjoy this book at all. Mary didn't get a happily ever after and the hints of "alternative lifestyle choices" were totally unnecessary. I really didn't like this book and I am insulted on Jane Austen's behalf.
Read
November 4, 2020Liked the writing didn't like this Mary. Sorry.
January 1, 2021
What an enjoyable read! Thank you, Ms. Duke.
February 9, 2022
There's something about Mary
The story has an enjoyable premise and makes good use of the Pride and Prejudice characters and plot. The writing and editing are excellent ( it's sad that what we took for granted must now be remarked upon, but such is the curse of the digital age).
While I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to other readers for their enjoyment, I have quibbles. Perhaps because I have burrowed deeply into the time travel subgenre of sci fi, I found Mary's use of the bonnet superficial and implausible (yes, I know it's imaginary, but sections were silly and unlikely for the time and characters). The bonnet was always used for micromanagement, sometimes in layers. If Mary had adjusted the entailment, for example, the plot line would have resolved without schemes.
Finally, while the author has done very well by this oft overlooked Bennett sister, she remains unpleasant and boring. Not a great companion for a read.
Recommended, but with reservations.
The story has an enjoyable premise and makes good use of the Pride and Prejudice characters and plot. The writing and editing are excellent ( it's sad that what we took for granted must now be remarked upon, but such is the curse of the digital age).
While I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to other readers for their enjoyment, I have quibbles. Perhaps because I have burrowed deeply into the time travel subgenre of sci fi, I found Mary's use of the bonnet superficial and implausible (yes, I know it's imaginary, but sections were silly and unlikely for the time and characters). The bonnet was always used for micromanagement, sometimes in layers. If Mary had adjusted the entailment, for example, the plot line would have resolved without schemes.
Finally, while the author has done very well by this oft overlooked Bennett sister, she remains unpleasant and boring. Not a great companion for a read.
Recommended, but with reservations.
November 15, 2022
Absolutely fantastic story
Oh this is a wonderful story of a magic bonnet that allows one to return to a previous time in order to change outcomes. Mary Bennet received the bonnet from her Great aunt Harriet upon her death and finds its uses in replacing events by removing a stitch for every hour. Some of her attempts make it worse and require a few attempts to make it right.
Its well written and cleverly imagined and I found myself thinking of more possibilities for Mary to use her bonnet!
Oh this is a wonderful story of a magic bonnet that allows one to return to a previous time in order to change outcomes. Mary Bennet received the bonnet from her Great aunt Harriet upon her death and finds its uses in replacing events by removing a stitch for every hour. Some of her attempts make it worse and require a few attempts to make it right.
Its well written and cleverly imagined and I found myself thinking of more possibilities for Mary to use her bonnet!
April 2, 2025
Having just re-read "Pride and Prejudice" for the umpteenth time, I thought it would be fun to read this fantastical twist on my favorite novel. I'm happy to say, it did not disappoint! Mary Bennet, the plain, pedantic sister in "P&P," comes into her own in this humorous tribute novel. A magical bonnet enables Mary to time travel and, in so doing, help her family. She makes some extremely questionable choices along the way, but I do believe Jane Austen herself would have gotten a big chuckle out of "Back to the Bonnet!"
February 6, 2024
Really good in places, a little slow or meh in others. Sometimes it felt like the author was trying to tell two or three different stories at once. I was going to only give it three stars, but the part where caught me by surprise and made me howl with laughter! And earned another star and my admiration. Fun read!
October 3, 2021
This is a lighthearted time travel adventure, involving Mary Bennet and a bonnet. It was a delight to read.
November 28, 2021
It was good fun to see Mary Bennet use a time travelling bonnet to achieve good marriages for her older sisters.
August 13, 2025
It was cute but just read Pride and Prejudice. You don’t really get to know Mary at all - it felt a bit flat. It was tugging on nostalgia but felt surprisingly modern?
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