The Pursuit of Mary Bennet - by Pamela Mingle (Paperback)

About the Book

Includes author essay "Why I wrote The pursuit of Mary Bennet" and discussion questions.

Book Synopsis

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 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?

From the Back Cover

The enthralling story of Pride and Prejudice's middle sister, Mary Bennet--an enchanting modern sequel to the beloved classic

For most of her life, Mary, the serious and unpolished third daughter of the Bennet family, has been overshadowed by her sisters--beautiful and confdent Jane and Elizabeth, and firtatious and lighthearted Lydia and Kitty. But with nearly all of her sisters married and gone from the household, awkward, unrefned Mary has blossomed into an attractive young woman with a quiet poise of her own.

When a very pregnant Lydia unexpectedly returns to the Bennet home and scandalously announces she's left Wickham, Mary and Kitty are packed off to visit Jane and her husband, Charles Bingley, in Derbyshire. Yearning for the solitude of home, Mary is dismayed to discover Bingley's handsome and eligible friend Henry Walsh everywhere she turns. Unschooled in the game of love, Mary fnds Henry's warm attentions confounding. Is his interest genuine or does she foolishly mistake friendliness for something more? With her heart and her future at risk, Mary must throw caution to the wind to fnd the truth--a journey of discovery that will teach her surprising lessons about herself and the desires of her heart.

Review Quotes

Austenophiles rejoice! Here at last is the untold story of the forgotten Bennett sister. Pamela Mingle transports us to Regency England for a delicious tale of the triumph of love over awkwardness. -- Susan Fales-Hill, author of Imperfect Bliss

"Delightful...[a] romantic charmer that will leave the reader sighing with pleasure and remembering what it feels like to fall in love." -- Booklist (starred review)