The Pursuit of Mary Bennet: A Pride and Prejudice Novel
Author: Pamela Mingle
Type of Austenesque Novel: Sequel
Release Date: November 26th, 2013
Pages: 240
Available in: Paperback and ebook
Available at: Amazon and Barnes and Nobles
from Goodreads.com:
With warmth, wit, and infinite charm Pamela Mingle brings to the page Pride and Prejudice’s reserved and awkward Mary Bennet and proves that there is always room for another Austen spin-off when it’s this good
For most of her life Mary Bennet has been an object of ridicule. With a notable absence of the social graces, she has been an embarrassment to her family on more than one occasion. But lately, Mary has changed. She’s matured and attained a respectable, if somewhat unpolished, decorum. But her peace and contentment are shattered when her sister Lydia turns up-very pregnant and separated from Wickham. Mary and Kitty are bustled off to stay with Jane and her husband. It is there that Mary meets Henry Walsh, whose attentions confound her. Unschooled in the game of love, her heart and her future are at risk. Is she worthy of love or should she take the safer path? In her journey of self-acceptance, she discovers the answer.
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The Forgotten Sister: Mary Bennet’s Pride and Prejudice
Author: Jennifer Paynter
Type of Austenesque Novel: Retelling/Point-of-view
Release Date: January 14th, 2014
Pages: 440
Available in: Paperback, ebook, and audiobook
Available at: Amazon and Barnes and Nobles
from Goodreads.com:
‘I prayed for a brother every night. My two older sisters also prayed. They felt the want of a brother equally keenly, for our father’s estate was entailed upon a male heir, and without a brother to provide for us or a rich husband to rescue us, we would all be destitute.’
Mary Bennet has been long overshadowed by the beauty and charm of her older sisters, Jane and Elizabeth, and by the forwardness and cheek of her younger sisters, Kitty and Lydia. From her post in the wings of the Bennet family, Mary now watches as Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy – and Mr Wickham – glide into her sisters’ lives. While she can view these three gentlemen quite dispassionately (and, as it turns out, accurately), can she be equally clear-sighted when she finally falls in love herself?
In this elegant retelling of Pride and Prejudice, Mary at last learns – with a little help from the man she loves – to question her family’s values and overcome her own brand of ‘pride and prejudice’.
MY THOUGHTS:
- Mary Bennet is getting quite popular all of a sudden!
- I am particularly fond of Mary Bennet stories, some of my favorites include – The Unexpected Miss Bennet and Return to Longbourn. I feel like I have some things in common with her (not the spouting sermons bit, but the quiet, introverted bits.)
- Both stories sound intriguing – I like the idea of Mary Bennet being pursued by and ardent man in love!
- I also like the idea of seeing Pride and Prejudice from her eyes, wonder what she thinks about Bingley, Darcy, and Wickham.
- Love the covers for both!
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS?
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Previous Posts:
- Austenesque Novel Finds #22 – Dear Mr. Knightley
- Austenesque Novel Finds #21 – Sense and Sensibility
- Austenesque Novel Finds #20 – Unequal Affection
- Austenesque Novel Finds #19 – The Highbury Murders
- Austenesque Novel Finds #18 – Jane Austen Goes to Hollywood
Some good finds there Meredith! They’re both on my wishlist. I also enjoyed The Unexpected Miss Bennet when I read it.
Thanks, Ceri! They are on my wishlist too!
I also like to read about the ‘lesser’ characters of Jane Austen – love to read her views of these three gentlemen
Yes, Vesper, I quite agree! Reading about minor characters such as Mary Bennet, Charlotte Lucas, and Anne de Bourgh is a lot of fun! Gives you a different perspective on everything. 🙂
Good job hunting these up. I love it when Kitty and Mary get their turn for love. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Sophia Rose! Yes, I so want romance for Kitty and Mary!
I’ve noticed too that Mary Bennet has become more “popular” in Austen-inspired spin-offs. These both sound like very good stories. Wondering myself what Mary thought about her sisters’ admirers. Adding to my to-read list 😉
Yes, Mary is getting quite popular indeed! I wonder what Jane Austen would say about that? 😉 I like the idea of hearing Mary’s true thoughts about these gentleman!
Interesting…….who would have thought Mary could attain such importance…smiles..I enjoyed “A Match for Mary Bennet” Mary deserves more coverage with all those sisters to swallow up her entity.
LOL! I know. I have A Match for Mary Bennet in my TBR pile, looks like I won’t be reading it until 2014 though! I can’t imagine how lonely Mary must have felt with her sisters pairing off like that. I really do feel bad for her.
I think her sisters marrying off is great for Mary, she finally gets some attention and is no longer compared unfavourably with them. With the beautiful one, the intelligent one and the lively one gone Mary and Kitty get their chance to stand out 🙂
Yes, and the fact that Lydia is gone maybe gives her a chance to form more of a sisterly bond with Kitty. 🙂
Mary isn’t really one of my favorite characters for some reason, but you know when it comes to P&P fiction I’m up for (almost) anything lol. I do feel bad for Mary because she just needs her share of attention and nurturing, and it’d be fun to see how she changes and what type of man she’d fall in love with.
Good point, Monica! I think of her as always trying to seek that kind word or approval from her family, but they never give it to her. I like seeing characters like her become the heroine.
I’m currently reading The Pursuit of Mary Bennet and enjoying it. I haven’t read an Austenesque novel in awhile, so this is a real treat and a good way to round out this year of celebrating P&P.
Oh nice! So glad to hear you are enjoying it! I’ll look forward to seeing your review, Jane!
I have always secretly hoped for Mary to find her way. She is clearly an oddball. My family has lovingly accused me of being the goody goody and in comparison to them, I guess I am, but I felt like the oddball too. My sister recently shared with me that she felt isolated and “the odd man out” amongst our siblings which I found so out of the blue, that I am reminded how family relationships and perceptions are often confusing. Mary’s plight has always struck me as a wonderful story waiting to be written–I hope this is it!