Wonderful.

I cannot say how much I enjoyed this book. At first, I thought it would be just a little twist on Pride and Prejudice, and it started out feeling like that. Once it veered from away from the story everyone knows, it became totally impossible to put down. It will live long in my memory.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

5 people found this helpful

Anyone who loves Jane Austin will not be disappointed

If you’re a Jane Austin fan you’ll probably identify with the slight feeling of trepidation I have whenever I approach sequels, adaptations or works in the style of... like Mary against her dazzling sisters, they always risk looking poor in comparison.

But fear not! Janice Hadlow’s novel does not disappoint. From the carefully crafted dips into the original story, to the glimpses of how life begins to unfold for Austin’s much loved characters, to - best of all - the original story of Mary’s own life as she emerges from out of the shadows - it’s a thoroughly enjoyable and pleasing read!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

Wonderful

This story fit so perfectly into the world of Pride and Prejudice that it’s hard to imagine that it isn’t a work by Jane Austen herself. The first part takes place alongside the aforementioned novel and it’s very warming to hear the story again from a new perspective. The care and attention to detail with which Hadlow weaves Mary’s story into and around the world of Pride and Prejudice and then carries it beyond into new territory is magic. The narration was also perfect, each character distinguishable and those we have read/seen portrayed before read in a very recognisable way. I will be thinking about Mary for a while after listening to this, and thinking a little harder about the characters so often left behind.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Delightful!

Thoroughly enjoyed becoming lost in this story, I didn’t want it to end!! Would highly recommend it.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

A Good Book

I didn't know what to expect in truth when I bought this audible book, but I was pleasantly surprised. It is written in the same vein of the original book and really does do justice to Mary Bennet. To hear everything from Mary's perspective was sad and satisfying as the same time. For me it completed the Bennet story.
Some reviewers said they thought the book was overlong -maybe if you are reading it - but I didn't think so as an audible book.
The narration is excellent and wholly engaging. I really liked it.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Just lovely

Lovely story beautifully read - gave added dimension to the original - well worth listening to. I saw other reviews commenting this book was too long - I didn’t find that to be the case.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Loved it!

Absolutely loved this book! from start to finish you are completely involved with the characters and can see how it fits around Pride and Prejudice perfectly! it is beautifully read as well. can't recommend enough!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

loved this!

I loved this book so much more than I thought I would! It brought back all the fond memories of reading and watching Pride and Prejudice and felt just as if Jane Austen had written it. I am sad that it has come to an end!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Pride and Prejudice Revisited

What a thoroughly enjoyable Christmas treat this was! absolutely believable as a companion novel to Pride and Prejudice and wonderfully performed.
Although it's quite a long listen, Janice Hadlow's narrative never drags and the story is illuminated by descriptions of life, culture and custom that shape the characters and story. The main characters are reprised or referenced as both their P&P selves and in the imagined future, with great integrity for the original by Jane Austin.
The performance by Kristin Atherton really brings the book alive and as others have said she brings the notion of Mrs Bennett (as performed by Alison Steadman) brilliantly to life in all her awfulness!! All the voices, male and female are nicely interpreted and unwaveringly maintained.
This book is a joy!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Well-written book and fantastic narrator

I enjoyed this book so much more than I expected. I do like pride and prejudice but am not a die-hard fan of it. I only got this book as it is really long and I had lots of driving to do. The narrator was fantastic and really helps to bring the story alive and the story itself is a really nice listen. It follows the style of the original book really well and the feel and I think really nicely portrays Mary and how she develops into a young woman under the shadow of her sisters. I highly recommend this book.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!