A tale of love and marriage, society balls and courtship, class and a touch of scandal, Pamela Mingle’s The Pursuit of Mary Bennet is a fresh take on one of the most beloved novels of all time, Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.
Growing up with four extraordinary sisters—beautiful and confident Jane and Elizabeth, and flirtatious and lighthearted Lydia and Kitty—wasn’t easy for an awkward … Kitty—wasn’t easy for an awkward bookworm like Mary Bennet. But with nearly all of her sisters married and gone from the household, the unrefined Mary has transformed into an attractive and eligible young woman in her own right.
When another scandal involving Lydia and Wickham threatens the Bennet house, Mary and Kitty are packed off to visit Jane and her husband, Charles Bingley, where they meet the dashing Henry Walsh. Eager and naïve, Mary is confused by Henry’s attentions, even as she finds herself drawing closer to him. Could this really be love—or the notions of a foolish girl unschooled in the art of romance and flirtation?
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I loved how this book was written; grace, dignity and respect. Yet the author ensured the characters got a bit “dirty” making it seem real.
I would love to read more from this author.
I love Jane Austin. This was a great book to continue the story about her sisiters.
Interesting re-imagining of the character of Mary Bennett and her family.
Captures the Bennett family in a realistic way. most of the charact5ers are true to original story.
In this P&P sequel the story begins three years after the end of Pride and Prejudice where we find Kitty and Mary still unmarried.
But Mary has changed, and when once again Lydia and Wickham cause a scandal, Kitty and Mary are both sent to visit the Bingleys. Where Kitty is re-introduced to the gentleman she believes wants to marry her. But what about Mary. Some new characters are introduced into this lovely story.
A delightful well-written story
I write about modern “Bennett Sisters” and am of course a Janeite. And a sucker for continuations of Pride and Prejudice. This story follows the story of middle sister Mary. (I am also a middle sister and have a soft spot for the position.) Mary has grown emotionally since those early days and has a possible crush but the prospect of her youngest sister Lydia ruining everything– once again–for all the Bennet sisters.
Good take on the forgotten Bennett sister. I like how the author sees her transformation.
Stayed true to the original Austin tradition.
I loved everything about this book!
So nice to hear Mary’s story in her own words and for her to have a place of her own not overshadowed by her sisters. Entertaining. I recommend it.
The serious bennet daughter has been overshadowed by her sisters for her whole life. When most of her sisters married and gone, Mary finally comes into her own. Can she find love in spite of her sister Lydia’s best attempt to drag the family into a scandal?
As much as I adore Pride and Prejudice, I’m always a bit skeptical when it comes to continuations and variations. So many fail to capture the wit and brilliance of Jane Austen’s characters. Often, I find the storyline unbelievable.
That is not the case with this one. I very much enjoyed following Mary through her ups and downs, as she tries to understand herself and her family. It is well written and kept me glued to the page from start to finish.
For readers who enjoy imagining what happened after Jane Austen ended her novel, this would be a good choice.
A much better “sequel” to Pride and Prejudice than MARY B, which I commented on a few weeks ago.
This was a really good book that revolves around Mary Bennet and her journey to find her happily ever after. The book takes place three years after Pride and Prejudice ends and includes all 5 sisters throughout giving readers glimpses into how Lizzy & Darcy, Jane & Bingley, and Lydia & Wickham are doing. Kitty also has a role in this book and we get to see her quest for love as well as Mary’s during this book. I felt the author did a really good job of writing Mary so the reader would connect with her. Overall I enjoyed this book and thought it had a good ending.