The Other Bennet Sister

A Pride & Prejudice variation from Mary's perspective that starts a few months prior to P&P events and runs a few years past its conclusion. The book develops Mary's character and gives her greater depth where she is often otherwise treated as little more than a prop in Lizzie's story in many works (or absent altogether). Telling and continuing the story from Mary's perspective is an unusual conceit for P&P variations, even stories that further develop the other Bennets are usually focused on Lizzie as the protagonist.

Mary's character isn't the only one developed further. Mr Collins became more sympathetic and likeable whilst remaining true to Austen's portrayal of his obsequious and ingratiating manner. Charlotte is portrayed as very shrewd, and at times this comes across as somewhat cold and calculating/ruthless, though only so far as she is aggressively protecting her own interests. There are insightful discussions between Charlotte and Mary regarding their places & prospects in the world as ‘plain' Regency gentlewomen.

There were a few callbacks/nods within the text to P&P's famous lines/scenes that were very well done - subtle and satisfying rather than in-your-face and forced as they can feel in other works.

The original characters did not feel at all out of place among Austen's creations. I found Mr Hayward instantly likeable and impossible not to fall for. The progression of his interactions with Mary was well-executed and nicely paced. However I did feel that the presence of Caroline Bingley didn't add much to the narrative beyond a stock ‘Mean Girl' to add conflict - her character would have benefited from the development and greater depth other characters such as Mr Collins and Mrs Hill got but she remained rather two dimensional. This is a minor complaint though and didn't stop me from immediately looking up the author to see if there are any more books by her to consume!