A re-read of this Pride & Prejudice sequel where Mary Bennet is starting to feel dissatisfied with her life, so Jane and Elizabeth decide it time for her to leave Longbourn and stay at Pemberley for a long visit. But the fates intervene and with Mary still unsure who she is decides to take up an offer that would give her independence from the other Bennets.
A very enjoyable sequel, with a lovely writing style. I like this Mary and the introduction of a new character. ( )

Mary and Lydia Bennett receive invitations from their sisters to live with them and experience society. However, instead of staying at Pemberley, the Darcys are summoned to visit Lady Catherine De Bourgh. When Mary befriends Anne, she is offered the job of companion which she takes thinking it is her best hope. However, when love arrives, she finds that her richest dreams can come true. A fairly standard rehash of the P&P characters. ( )

Fun! ( )

Spinsterish middle sister Mary Bennet is the unexpected heroine of this Pride and Prejudice inspired novel. Lydia, Jane, and Elizabeth’s marriages have disrupted life at Longbourn and Mary no longer finds pleasure in playing the piano and reading edifying sermon collections. An unlikely suitor has Mary’s thoughts turning in a new direction.

Although Patrice Sarath doesn’t capture Jane Austen’s style and wit, neither does she sprinkle Mary’s story with glaring anachronisms. Mary’s character transformation is believable, and readers will root for her as well as for Miss Anne de Burgh, who undergoes her own transformation in the novel. The sub-plot involving the Wickhams, Kitty, and the Bingleys doesn’t tie in well with the main plot. It seems like the author couldn’t bear to leave out any of the characters from Pride and Prejudice. I would probably have the same difficulty if I tried to write a P&P sequel so it’s a fault I can overlook. ( )

Mary Bennet from Pride and Prejudice gets her own chance at love in this book. She usually gets remembered for playing the pianoforte with determination rather than skill, singing poorly, and lecturing. While I was intrigued this book sat on my shelf for a while before I picked it up; mostly because I was not very interested in Mary Bennet. I was wrong. She made for a charming heroine. The adventure begins when Jane and Lizzy decide that Mary too should get her chance at happiness. Lizzy invites Mary to stay at Pemberley. Slowly Mary begins to grow beyond her narrow views.

The author did not try to perfectly mirror Jane Austen’s unique style, which was nice as that often falls short. It does have the flavor of the time period and some witty observations about the characters foibles, so while I did not think I was reading an Austen original it was a very solid trip into her world. The characters felt pretty accurate, from Catherine De Bourgh’s condescension to Mr. Collins sycophant tendencies, to Mrs Bennet’s nerves. The one character who felt off, was Mr. Bennet, but that was my one minor complaint. Overall, a delightful read. ( )