Listen to Your Heart, Mary!
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Source: Gift from Friend 🙂
I’ve long ago determined that one of my favorite types of Austenesque novels were ones that focused on minor characters. Jane Austen created characters that are interesting, accessible, likable, and full of personality. It is no wonder that readers find these characters so memorable and captivating. Even Jane Austen’s own family would press her with questions about the Bennets, Knighleys, and other characters. And she would in turn divulge the fate of these characters and the unknown particulars of their lives.
What did Jane Austen say about Mary Bennet? Merely that she “obtained no higher than one of her uncle Philip’s clerks, and was content to be considered a star in the society of Meriton [sic].” Skilled Austenesque author, Jennifer Becton, has decided to flesh-out a story about Mary Bennet from this little quote shared by Jane Austen’s nephew, James Edward Austen-Leigh in his Memoir of Jane Austen. And after reading her fabulous works that highlighted Charlotte Collins and Caroline Bingley, I was most eager to see what she would do with poor, forgotten Mary.
In this sequel novella, we visit upon the Bennets as Mrs. Bennet decides to focus all her attention and energy on marrying off her plain, moralizing daughter. After settling upon Mr. Philip’s new clerk as Mary’s ideal future husband, the Bennets receive word of an extremely generous dowry from Mr. Darcy for Mary which causes Mrs. Bennet to abandon her original plan of Mr. Hardcastle and aim for higher, wealthier prospects. Forbidden to “moralize” and share pre-constructed quotes from her readings, poor Mary is finding the world of courtships, conversations, and engagements quite overwhelming and confusing, especially now that she is heiress! And with no sisters at home to guide her, Mary is left to follow Mrs. Bennet’s reasoning and council instead of trusting her own instincts and heart. And as a dutiful daughter who was taught to always obey one’s parents, that is just what she does…
One of my favorite aspects of this tale was seeing how Mary evolved from the pedantic and showy sister in Pride and Prejudice to a heroine that captures our admiration and sympathies. I think this version of Mary Bennet is very endearing, she notices her short-comings, and she no longer has such an elevated opinion of herself and her talents. I also enjoyed witnessing the development of Mary’s relationships with both her parents – especially Mr. Bennet who several times invited Mary into his inner sanctum and treated her questions and disappointments with care and kindness. And lastly I greatly approve of the hero of this tale; I found him to be likable, intriguing, and a perfect match for Mary. Wish we saw more of him!
If I were name a fault with this book, it would have to be that it is a novella and I would have dearly loved for it to be a novel. (This opinion is completely biased and coming to you from a person who prefers novels over novellas. ;)) After seeing and loving the development and treatment Ms. Becton gave Caroline Bingley and Charlotte Collins in their full-length novels, I sort of wish she did the same for Mary. While the story is engaging, well-constructed, and satisfying, events and feelings do progress at a rapid pace and I would have loved to spend more time with the Bennets, Randalls, and Hardcastles. Despite my preference for a longer work, I thoroughly enjoyed this charming story of how Mary Bennet married one of Mr. Phillip’s clerks. What a happy ending for this plain, sermonizing, and neglected Bennet sister!
This sounds a really good story due to your wonderful review Meredith. Another one to be added to the TBR list!
Definitely a good story! A very satisfying outcome for Mary.
This sounds well worth reading, Meredith! I read the Caroline Bingley, Charlotte Collins and Maria Lucas ones that Jennifer wrote as I got them in a combined volume. I’ll have to try and fit this one in sometime. I also enjoy minor character stories, there is so much scope for character development.
Definitely, Ceri! I wonder if Jennifer can be persuaded to write a story for Kitty or Georgiana next! That would be awesome!
Sounds like a lot of fun! I do think Mary has a lot of potential as the center of her own story. Thanks for, as always, your review, which reveals just enough but not too much!
Absolutely! We know her flaws from Jane Austen and there is much room for improvement. Glad you enjoyed the review, Abigail!
I had no idea she tackled a book on Mary. I will definitely be grabbing this one. I am with you when it comes to preferring novel-length stories.
This one came out quietly a year ago. Had it on my wish-list for a long time! I find it hard to not want more when I read a novella. Sometimes I think they might not be for me.
I love Jennifer Becton’s books so thanks for bringing her to our attention.
That’s great to hear! I’m a big fan of hers too! Especially Charlotte Collins!
This is one of those things you and I share. I love books on the minor characters. Jennifer Becton has a great group of them. I do like this Mary, and Mr. Hardcastle as well!
Yes! Mr. Hardcastle was perfect – I like his bluntness. But he also was very kind towards Mary when she was making a mess everything.
I love Jennifer’s books as well. I also prefer novels to novellas. I would love to read this as I’ve always had a warm spot for mary. I have it on my wish list. Very nice review for us meredith.
Me too. I’m quite and have some social anxiety, so I feel like I relate well to Mary in some ways. Thank you for reading my review!
Sounds interesting! I also enjoy when retellings or continuations are focused on the minor characters as opposed to the major ones.
Me too! I know it might be scandalous to say, but I prefer sequels about these character more so than Darcy and Elizabeth. 😀 Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
I think (but I might be wrong, I need to check) that I have never read a story where Mary was the protagonist! :O This sounds like a good one to start with! 🙂
There are a few books that have her in the title (I haven’t read them all, so I am assuming on some) – The Pursuit of Mary Bennet, The Independence of Mary Bennet, The Forgotten Sister: Mary Bennet’s Pride and Prejudice, A Match for Mary Bennet and one I did read and love The Unexpected Miss Bennet. Return to Longbourn by Shannon Winslow also puts Mary in the spotlight and is fabulous! It turns out Mary is quite popular after Darcy and Lizzy! Maybe more so than Kitty! I agree this one would be great to start with. 🙂
Oh thank you so much, Meredith!! I’m eager to get to all of them! 🙂 Especially the book by Shannon Winslow. I will soon read The Darcys of Pemberley and Miss Georgiana Darcy of Pemberley. So it may be good to read that one, too. We’ll see if I can squeeze it in! 😛 But all the others have found a place in my TBR list.
I have always felt for Mary. She seems to have no one’s support and I always thought she would make a good Parson’s wife. But then on the other hand she needed someone to soften her harsh opinions of others and to give her lessons in emoting through her piano playing.