The Other Bennet Sister

I'm back! I know it's been a while since my last post, but when I heard about the BBC adaptation of The Other Bennet Sister coming out, I immediately sprinted down to Barnes & Noble to track down the book. Pride and Prejudice is my all-time favorite book, and the foundation of my love of classic literature. Since I have never been strong enough to resist a Pride and Prejudice adaptation, let's dive into this one. I had never thought too much about Mary's story, but after reading this book, I think I enjoyed her journey just as much as Lizzy's! Also, here is a quick ***SPOILER WARNING*** (if you don't know what happens, escape now while you have the chance.) 

What I love most about Mary Bennet's story is that it's one anyone can relate to on some level. Although not all of us are as outspoken as Lizzy, or as graceful as Jane, everyone has gone through a time of growth that can make them empathize with Mary Bennet. Janice Hadlow uses the characters from Pride and Prejudice to tell a story of growth and self-discovery. In the beginning of this story, we are introduced to Mary Bennet, who is completely ignored by the people around her. Throughout her life, the constant comparisons to her sisters destroy her self-confidence. We join Mary as she tries to find her place in a world that seems to completely overlook her. 

As an original Pride and Prejudice fan (I was the first to read it after Jane Austen in 1813 lol), the only problem I had with The Other Bennet Sister was how the Darcys were portrayed. It seems crazy to me that after an entire book of character development, Lizzy and Darcy are shown as selfish and self-absorbed. While they may not be perfect characters, I like to think that they would have been more accepting of Mary than they were in Hadlow’s version. I would have also loved to see a more sisterly relationship between Lizzy and Mary by the end of the book. I kept hoping for forgiveness on both sides, but there was so much ice between them I was waiting for Elsa to start singing Let It Go. Even though Lizzy eventually does one (1) nice thing for Mary, it still felt like their relationship hadn't evolved at all by the end. Despite these little hiccups, I enjoyed reading Hadlow’s fresh take on this classic story! 

Before I read the book, I had heard a few comments about Mary being a whiny character. I’m going to go ahead and override this opinion because who on Earth wouldn’t be a little whiny if they were treated the way Mary was?! I believe that the reason some people see Mary this way is that they don’t fully take the time to understand her. She wasn’t whiny, just misunderstood. She works so hard throughout the first half of the book to please the people around her. She refuses to dance with someone she likes, feels ashamed of wearing glasses, and tries to sound smart to get her family's attention. One quality that shines through all of Mary’s insecurity and people-pleasing is her ability to empathize with others. I found it fascinating that characters who are dismissed in the original Pride and Prejudice, like Mr. Hurst and Mr. Collins, are the people that Mary cares for. She is able to bring joy and understanding to others, something that these characters don’t get from anyone else around them. In my mind, this became the “real Mary Bennet.” Underneath all of her insecurity, I could instantly recognize her through her ability to make the people around her feel seen and loved. Now that my character analysis is done, let's get back to the plot!

 As Mary’s self-confidence grows, it spreads to every relationship around her. One part that I found surprising was how she deals with Caroline Bingley (ughh). Instead of letting Caroline and her everlasting power trip intimidate her, Mary FINALLY stands up for herself. As someone who is NOT a Caroline Bingley apologist, I've been waiting for her downfall for years. Even though the things Mary says aren't gentle, I am 100% on her side. Anyone who is that much of a problem deserves to be put in their place a little. I’m giving Caroline a little grace in this story (which is a lot for me) because she does contribute to Mary’s happiness in the end.

Later in the story, Mary meets Mr. Hayward, and it is clear from the beginning that he is the perfect person for her. He shows Mary that you can be a serious person while still leaving room for emotion. Being both a lawyer and a poetry lover, he helps Mary broaden her horizons. She learns that reading should be something you ENJOY, not something you knock off a list. Living with the Gardiners allows Mary to be a version of herself that she could never be at Longbourn. She can live her life free of the labels that others gave her. In London, she can be smart, fun, and outgoing, which brings her so many new experiences and friendships. Eventually, this new, confident version of Mary even finds love, something that she never expected. What I love most about Mary’s story is that love is not the main point. Even though she spends most of the story trying to become someone else, Mary ends up falling in love with someone who makes her feel like HER. She is finally loved and appreciated for who she is, instead of being overlooked by the people around her. Love has an important place in Mary’s life, but her story is about becoming the best version of herself and having the courage to remain that person no matter what.

Overall I completely loved The Other Bennet Sister!! If you have read the book or want to talk about the BBC series, make a comment below!