Mary felt a chill for her sister. ‘How easily a woman falls,’ she whispered. ‘How narrow a path she must tread.’
Mrs Gardiner instantly felt a pang for talking so forthrightly to a young woman. ‘Well,’ she said awkwardly. ‘Yes, to be sure, but Mary, remember, that goodness is in part chosen. Lydia was given all the advantages of respectable breeding and upbringing, and she chose to throw all that away for an irredeemable wastrel. You have nothing to fear. You have too much sense to lose your self-respect in a bad alliance.’
I don’t know what I fear more, Mary thought, but could not say as much to her aunt. Losing my respectability…
Or never having the opportunity to prove myself.
(from The Unexpected Miss Bennet, page 42)
Oh, how I loved The Unexpected Miss Bennet, so much so that (for the moment, at least), it’s at the top of my list of favorite Austen-inspired novels. Patrice Sarath’s novel is a sequel of sorts to Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, and this time, the focus is on the middle Bennet daughter, Mary. Mary is not the most exciting character in Pride in Prejudice. In fact, the poor girl is laughed at and dismissed by everyone and is known for reading and quoting Fordyce’s Sermons to Young Women and for her love of singing and playing the pianoforte, though she’s not very good at it.
In The Unexpected Miss Bennet, Mrs. Bennet has resigned herself to the fact that Mary is just Mary, will never be married, and will keep her company in her old age. Mary is understandably worried about her future, as when her father dies, the family home will belong to their ridiculous and patronizing cousin, Mr. Collins. With her two older sisters married off, her youngest sister disowned by the family, and her other sister, Kitty, just as obnoxiously flighty as their mother, Mary does a lot of soul searching and realizes that Fordyce might not have all the answers.
Her sisters Jane and Lizzy decide they need to take action to ensure that Mary doesn’t just waste away in the corner where she has long been relegated. Lizzy invites her to stay at Pemberley, where she begins to blossom. She meets Mr. Aikens, a man who doesn’t read, is passionate about horses, and has such an exuberant personality that a few minutes in his presence is exhausting. For the first time, Mary is dancing, not playing the pianoforte, and she even beings spending time outdoors. When a trip to Rosings with the Darcys to visit Lady Catherine de Bourgh turns into an extended stay for Mary and gives her a taste of independence, she learns to stand up for herself. She might not be as beautiful as Jane or as accomplished as Mr. Darcy’s sister, Georgiana, but Mary proves that she can be more than what the world expected.
I enjoy when Austen-inspired novels take on characters placed in the background by Austen. Sarath does not depend on the Darcys to carry this story; aside from Wickham rearing his ugly head, Mr. Darcy is hardly seen at all — and Sarath’s Mary is complex and intriguing enough to carry the story on her own. Mary’s coming of age is exciting and wholly believable, and Sarath creates plenty of tension by placing Mary in the line of fire of both Lady Catherine and Mr. Collins. Those scenes of heated dialogue are fantastic, and I couldn’t help but cheer Mary all the way.
The Unexpected Miss Bennet is a breath of fresh air in the Austensque genre and exemplifies why I can’t get enough of these books. It is both unique yet true to the original, and I couldn’t put it down. Sarath does a wonderful job creating a Mary who has newfound spunk and a sense of humor. I never expected that Mary Bennet could be charming, but I think even Austen would approve.
Disclosure: I received The Unexpected Miss Bennet from Berkley for review.
© 2012 Anna Horner of Diary of an Eccentric. All Rights Reserved. Please do not reproduce or republish content without permission.
I really liked this one too.
LikeLike
I seem to enjoy reading about Mary, and I liked this one even more than A Match for Mary Bennet by Eucharista Ward.
LikeLike
This sounds wonderful! I love your final paragraph.
LikeLike
Thanks, Mary!
LikeLike
This one sounds like a winner in the slew of Austen spin-off books, and a book I would enjoy. Your review is great, as usual.
LikeLike
Thanks, Laura! I tend to enjoy most of the Austen-inspired books I read, but there’s always a few winners here and there that stand out from the rest.
LikeLike
Loved your review! You just gave me the perfect gift idea for an upcoming birthday! My friend will love this book. Thanks, Anna!
LikeLike
My pleasure! Glad to help!
LikeLike
Omg, I wanna read this one so much 😀 Especially when you say it is amazing
LikeLike
I think you’d really enjoy this one.
LikeLike
Wow, I think I should get this since you’ve deemed it the best Austen inspired novel!
LikeLike
Well, so far anyway. 😉
LikeLike
Wow, at the top of your list right now. That’s glowing praise indeed. This one is sitting in my next to read pile too. I can’t wait to read it now!
LikeLike
I can’t wait to hear what you think of it!
LikeLike
“A breath of fresh air”? I better check this read out!
LikeLike
I hope you love it as much as I did. I think the books about Austen’s supporting characters are always a bit refreshing because you never know where the author is going to go because their stories haven’t been laid out by Austen.
LikeLike
wow Anna, this ounds fantastic 🙂 I do enjoy Austen-inspired novels too. Great review.
LikeLike
Thanks! Hope you get a chance to read this one.
LikeLike
I definitely prefer spin-offs that focus on minor characters. I’m glad this one was such a fun read for you!
LikeLike
I have a few other books about the minor characters and now I’m more excited to read them!
LikeLike
Breath of fresh air….top of your list!! I must run upstairs and get my copy to make sure that I get to it in February!!! 😀
LikeLike
I hope you enjoy this one! I think you will. 😉
LikeLike
This book sounds wonderful! I also most like ‘inspired-by’ books when an author focuses on a character that existed in the background of the original novel, like Patrice Sarath does with Mary here. The story-line sounds interesting and filled with great scenes. I also like how Mary slowly comes out of her shell and grows into a confident woman realizing she doesn’t have to be the same as her sisters to be worthwhile. (It’s a good message for all women, too!).
This is a terrific review, Anna and you’ve done a great job of piquing my interest in reading this book. Additionally, you are so knowledgeable about Austen spin-offs that when you call this book your favorite so far, I know it’s one worth reading!
Thank you :o)
LikeLike
Sarath does a great job evolving Mary’s character. I think you’d enjoy this one.
LikeLike
I just bought this book for my Kindle based on your review. I just finished a month-long writing spree for theaustengames.com, and I need a little change of pace. I look forward to starting this little gem tonight before bed.
LikeLike
This is definitely the book to relax with. Hope you enjoy it!
LikeLike
I always feel for poor Mary in all movie versions and obviously the original work. Poor thing, she is such a bookworm and can’t sing worth a darn. I’m picky about my P&P versions but I will definitely look for this one. Thanks for bringing this to my attention.
LikeLike
That’s why I was so glad to see a Mary I could really root for. Hope you give this one a try.
LikeLike
[…] 6. Mystery: The Disappearance of Georgiana Darcy by Regina Jeffers 7. Supporting Characters: The Unexpected Miss Bennet by Patrice Sarath 8. Books by Jane Austen: Emma by Jane […]
LikeLike
[…] is your favorite Austenesque sequel? I can’t choose between The Unexpected Miss Bennet by Patrice Sarath and Lydia Bennet’s Story by Jane […]
LikeLike