How an Unwanted Natural Daughter Finds Her Way

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Source: Gift from Publisher

TYPE OF NOVEL: Mansfield Park Sequel about a Tertiary Character

THE PREMISE: Dorothea Rose is a precocious child with a passion for mathematics and the natural world. But because her existence is a living reminder of her family’s most shameful scandal, they deprive her of any familial love or acknowledgment and distance themselves as much as possible. Dorothea makes her way in the world as a governess, and throughout her young life she discovers true friends, happy and unhappy homes, and the truth about her parentage…

WHAT I LOVED:

• Unique and Untold: The story of an unwanted natural child surrounded by a selfish family that wants to relinquish all responsibility of her and her journey through a life of adversities and abuses. What a brilliant premise and angle for a Mansfield Park sequel! Books about the characters from Mansfield Park are are sometimes in short supply, and a book about an original character from the next generation is extraordinarily rare. I’m so delighted that Lucy Knight developed the story of such a unique and interesting character.

• Dorothea: Even though she is surrounded by bitter, cold, and selfish individuals Dorothea grows up to be a warm, compassionate, hardworking, and intelligent woman. She has learned self-reliance from an early age and through all the hardships and injustices she faces she continues to grow in resiliency and fortitude. Unlike most of the characters in Mansfield Park, Dorothea is extremely likable. Readers will be hard-pressed not to admire her and feel invested in her plights. What I admired most about Dorothea was that she held no judgments against anyone – even if they perpetrated serious wrongs against her, she was willing to believe there is still good in them…even if she can never grant them her trust.

• Jane Eyre Vibes: Like Jane Eyre, Dorothea is child who is treated like a burden, who is sent to a grim school where she almost dies, who loves to escape into the world of learning, and who prefers to earn a living as a governess rather than consider marriage. I’m almost positive that this is not all coincidence and that Lucy Knight is an admirer of Charlotte Brontë’s novel. I loved spotting all the different nods and parallels to Jane Eyre – a story I passionately love.

• An Independent Woman of Means: A central theme focused on in this story was Dorothea learning to decide for and take care of herself. She is so young and without anyone to guide her. It is so impressive how she does not crack or lose herself through the challenges she faces. If anything she grows wiser, more guarded, and stronger. I really enjoyed the witnessing the journey of a woman who preferred to establish her own independence and who worked hard to earn it.

• Keeping Up with the Bertrams…: What has become of Sir Thomas, Maria, Fanny, and the Crawfords? It was interesting to see Dorothea cross paths with her mostly unknown-to-her family and learn what changes or experiences have befallen these characters in the years since the close of Mansfield Park. While we saw a good amount of evil and vice in some characters, I was pleasantly surprised by the goodness that developed in others – especially Sir Thomas.

• True and Dear Friends: While most of her childhood was loveless, Dorothea found love later in life through her school friends, neighbors, and other relationships she developed. These supportive and and loving relationships were so beautiful to witness. And it was so heartening to see how many people Dorothea had collected as her family by the end of the story, and how many people held her dear.

WHAT I WASN’T TOO FOND OF:

• Some Suspension of Disbelief Required: There were an abundance of coincidences – especially with unconnected characters all of sudden having a connection or two characters happening to cross paths unexpectedly in a new place. While I definitely do believe coincidences can happen, England felt like a small village of forty families with how frequent they were in this story. In addition, while I was thoroughly captivated by the thrilling and sinister scheme certain characters devised, it did sometimes feel a little bit outlandish.

CONCLUSION: What an exceptional debut novel! Maria Bertram’s Daughter is a splendidly inventive tale full of spirit and heart. Lucy Knight brilliantly takes one of the biggest scandals in a Jane Austen novel and tells an uplifting and compelling tale of overcoming hardships and finding family. I’m so eager to see what Lucy Knight creates next!

Add to Cart   I   Add to Shelf