Items related to Mary B: A Novel: An untold story of Pride and Prejudice
The overlooked middle sister in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice casts off her prim exterior and takes center stage in this fresh retelling of the classic novel.
I will tell you the story of how I knew myself to be plain and therefore devoid of the one virtue which it behooves every woman to have.
What is to be done with Mary Bennet? She possesses neither the beauty of her eldest sister, Jane, nor the high-spirited charm of second-born Lizzy. Even compared to her frivolous younger siblings, Kitty and Lydia, Mary knows she is lacking in the ways that matter for single, not-so-well-to-do women in nineteenth-century England who must secure their futures through the finding of a husband. As her sisters wed, one by one, Mary pictures herself growing old, a spinster with no estate to run or children to mind, dependent on the charity of others. At least she has the silent rebellion and secret pleasures of reading and writing to keep her company. But even her fictional creations are no match for the scandal, tragedy, and romance that eventually visit Mary's own life. In Mary B, readers are transported beyond the center of the ballroom to discover that wallflowers are sometimes the most intriguing guests at the party. Beneath Mary's plain appearance and bookish demeanor simmers an inner life brimming with passion, humor, and imagination--and a voice that demands to be heard. Set before, during, and after the events of Pride and Prejudice, Katherine J. Chen's vividly original debut novel pays homage to a beloved classic while envisioning a life that is difficult to achieve in any era: that of a truly independent woman. Advance praise for Mary B "The best part about Mary's star turn is that it bears little relation to the fates of her sisters. She's a simmering, churning, smart woman determined to concoct an independent life."--The Washington Post "Perhaps not even a newly discovered Austen manuscript could exceed the delicious pleasure of Mary B. From an unswept corner of literature, Katherine J. Chen has conjured a heroine whose story is heartbreaking, hilarious, and, finally, thrilling. Mary B is a delight."--Susan Choi, author of My Education "In giving Mary Bennet a resonant voice of her own, Chen has fashioned a luminous and enlightening novel that will entrance even, or especially, those who have not read Jane Austen's masterpiece."--John Banville, Man Booker Prize-winning author of The Sea and Mrs Osmond
I will tell you the story of how I knew myself to be plain and therefore devoid of the one virtue which it behooves every woman to have.
What is to be done with Mary Bennet? She possesses neither the beauty of her eldest sister, Jane, nor the high-spirited charm of second-born Lizzy. Even compared to her frivolous younger siblings, Kitty and Lydia, Mary knows she is lacking in the ways that matter for single, not-so-well-to-do women in nineteenth-century England who must secure their futures through the finding of a husband. As her sisters wed, one by one, Mary pictures herself growing old, a spinster with no estate to run or children to mind, dependent on the charity of others. At least she has the silent rebellion and secret pleasures of reading and writing to keep her company. But even her fictional creations are no match for the scandal, tragedy, and romance that eventually visit Mary's own life. In Mary B, readers are transported beyond the center of the ballroom to discover that wallflowers are sometimes the most intriguing guests at the party. Beneath Mary's plain appearance and bookish demeanor simmers an inner life brimming with passion, humor, and imagination--and a voice that demands to be heard. Set before, during, and after the events of Pride and Prejudice, Katherine J. Chen's vividly original debut novel pays homage to a beloved classic while envisioning a life that is difficult to achieve in any era: that of a truly independent woman. Advance praise for Mary B "The best part about Mary's star turn is that it bears little relation to the fates of her sisters. She's a simmering, churning, smart woman determined to concoct an independent life."--The Washington Post "Perhaps not even a newly discovered Austen manuscript could exceed the delicious pleasure of Mary B. From an unswept corner of literature, Katherine J. Chen has conjured a heroine whose story is heartbreaking, hilarious, and, finally, thrilling. Mary B is a delight."--Susan Choi, author of My Education "In giving Mary Bennet a resonant voice of her own, Chen has fashioned a luminous and enlightening novel that will entrance even, or especially, those who have not read Jane Austen's masterpiece."--John Banville, Man Booker Prize-winning author of The Sea and Mrs Osmond
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Review:
"Mary B is so much more than a retelling of Pride and Prejudice from the point of view of one of Elizabeth Bennet's sisters. It is a retelling for our time--bold, provocative, and thrilling. Bravo!"--Gish Jen, author of Mona in the Promised Land and The Love Wife
"Katherine J. Chen re-imagines Austen's universe with humor and heart. Elegant, imaginative, and empathetic."--Jennifer DuBois, author of Cartwheel and A Partial History of Lost Causes "Katherine J. Chen has made alive Jane Austen's irresistible Bennet family by her interest in all that we do not know, rather than what we do. If each novel is an answer to preceding ones, Chen has brought us up to date in a spirited and inventive way, reminding us with wit and charm that things are never as simple as we think."--Susanna Moore, author of In the Cut and Paradise of the Pacific
"Katherine J. Chen has dipped into Pride and Prejudice to pluck out and celebrate the seemingly most unpromising of the Bennet sisters. In giving Mary Bennet a resonant voice of her own, Chen has fashioned a luminous and enlightening novel that will entrance even, or especially, those who have not read Jane Austen's masterpiece."--John Banville, Man Booker Prize-winning author of The Sea and Mrs. Osmond "Mary B is so much more than a retelling of Pride and Prejudice from the point of view of one of Elizabeth Bennet's sisters. It is a retelling for our time--bold, provocative, and thrilling. Bravo!"--Gish Jen, author of Mona in the Promised Land and The Love Wife
"Chen re-imagines Austen's universe with humor and heart. Elegant, imaginative, and empathetic."--Jennifer duBois, author of Cartwheel and A Partial History of Lost Causes "Chen has made alive Jane Austen's irresistible Bennet family by her interest in all that we do not know, rather than what we do. If each novel is an answer to preceding ones, Chen has brought us up to date in a spirited and inventive way, reminding us with wit and charm that things are never as simple as we think."--Susanna Moore, author of In the Cut and Paradise of the Pacific
"In a debut that encompasses events before, during, and after Austen's [Pride and Prejudice], introverted Mary knows she'll have to marry, escapes the pressure through a love of reading and writing, and bears witness to a scandal that brings out her strong-minded independence. Janeites, don't miss."--Library Journal "Katherine J. Chen has dipped into Pride and Prejudice to pluck out and celebrate the seemingly most unpromising of the Bennet sisters. In giving Mary Bennet a resonant voice of her own, Chen has fashioned a luminous and enlightening novel that will entrance even, or especially, those who have not read Jane Austen's masterpiece."--John Banville, Man Booker Prize-winning author of The Sea and Mrs. Osmond "Perhaps not even a newly discovered Austen manuscript could exceed the delicious pleasure of Mary B. From an unswept corner of literature, Katherine J. Chen has conjured a heroine whose story is heartbreaking, hilarious, and, finally, thrilling. Mary B is a delight."--Susan Choi, author of My Education "Mary B is so much more than a retelling of Pride and Prejudice from the point of view of one of Elizabeth Bennet's sisters. It is a retelling for our time--bold, provocative, and thrilling. Bravo!"--Gish Jen, author of Mona in the Promised Land and The Love Wife
& --Susanna Moore, author of In the Cut and Paradise of the Pacific
"Perhaps not even a newly discovered Austen manuscript could exceed the delicious pleasure of Mary B. From an unswept corner of literature, Katherine J. Chen has conjured a heroine whose story is heartbreaking, hilarious, and, finally, thrilling. Mary B is a delight."--Susan Choi, author of An Education "Katherine J. Chen has dipped into Pride and Prejudice to pluck out and celebrate the seemingly most unpromising of the Bennet sisters. In giving Mary Bennet a resonant voice of her own, Chen has fashioned a luminous and enlightening novel that will entrance even, or especially, those who have not read Jane Austen's masterpiece."--John Banville, Man Booker Prize-winning author of The Sea and Mrs Osmond "Mary B is so much more than a retelling of Pride and Prejudice from the point of view of one of Elizabeth Bennet's sisters. It is a retelling for our time--bold, provocative, and thrilling. Bravo!"--Gish Jen, author of The Girl at the Baggage Claim: Explaining the East-West Culture Gap "Elegant, imaginative, and empathetic, Katherine J. Chen's novel reimagines Austen's universe with humor and heart."--Jennifer duBois, author of Cartwheel and A Partial History of Lost Causes
"Katherine J. Chen has made alive Jane Austen's irresistible Bennet family by her interest in all that we do not know, rather than what we do. If each novel is an answer to preceding ones, Chen has brought us up to date in a spirited and inventive way, reminding us with wit and charm that things are never as simple as we think."--Susanna Moore, author of In the Cut and Paradise of the Pacific "In a debut that encompasses events before, during, and after Austen's [Pride and Prejudice], introverted Mary knows she'll have to marry, escapes the pressure through a love of reading and writing, and bears witness to a scandal that brings out her strong-minded independence. Janeites, don't miss." --Library Journal
"The best part about Mary's star turn is that it bears little relation to the fates of her sisters. She's a simmering, churning, smart woman determined to concoct an independent life."--The Washington Post "Perhaps not even a newly discovered Austen manuscript could exceed the delicious pleasure of Mary B. From an unswept corner of literature, Katherine J. Chen has conjured a heroine whose story is heartbreaking, hilarious, and, finally, thrilling. Mary B is a delight."--Susan Choi, author of My Education "Katherine J. Chen has dipped into Pride and Prejudice to pluck out and celebrate the seemingly most unpromising of the Bennet sisters. In giving Mary Bennet a resonant voice of her own, Chen has fashioned a luminous and enlightening novel that will entrance even, or especially, those who have not read Jane Austen's masterpiece."--John Banville, Man Booker Prize-winning author of The Sea and Mrs Osmond "Mary B is so much more than a retelling of Pride and Prejudice from the point of view of one of Elizabeth Bennet's sisters. It is a retelling for our time--bold, provocative, and thrilling. Bravo!"--Gish Jen, author of The Girl at the Baggage Claim: Explaining the East-West Culture Gap "Elegant, imaginative, and empathetic, Katherine J. Chen's novel reimagines Austen's universe with humor and heart."--Jennifer duBois, author of Cartwheel and A Partial History of Lost Causes
"Katherine J. Chen has made alive Jane Austen's irresistible Bennet family by her interest in all that we do not know, rather than what we do. If each novel is an answer to preceding ones, Chen has brought us up to date in a spirited and inventive way, reminding us with wit and charm that things are never as simple as we think."--Susanna Moore, author of In the Cut and Paradise of the Pacific "In a debut that encompasses events before, during, and after Austen's [Pride and Prejudice], introverted Mary knows she'll have to marry, escapes the pressure through a love of reading and writing, and bears witness to a scandal that brings out her strong-minded independence. Janeites, don't miss." --Library Journal
About the Author:
"Katherine J. Chen re-imagines Austen's universe with humor and heart. Elegant, imaginative, and empathetic."--Jennifer DuBois, author of Cartwheel and A Partial History of Lost Causes "Katherine J. Chen has made alive Jane Austen's irresistible Bennet family by her interest in all that we do not know, rather than what we do. If each novel is an answer to preceding ones, Chen has brought us up to date in a spirited and inventive way, reminding us with wit and charm that things are never as simple as we think."--Susanna Moore, author of In the Cut and Paradise of the Pacific
"Katherine J. Chen has dipped into Pride and Prejudice to pluck out and celebrate the seemingly most unpromising of the Bennet sisters. In giving Mary Bennet a resonant voice of her own, Chen has fashioned a luminous and enlightening novel that will entrance even, or especially, those who have not read Jane Austen's masterpiece."--John Banville, Man Booker Prize-winning author of The Sea and Mrs. Osmond "Mary B is so much more than a retelling of Pride and Prejudice from the point of view of one of Elizabeth Bennet's sisters. It is a retelling for our time--bold, provocative, and thrilling. Bravo!"--Gish Jen, author of Mona in the Promised Land and The Love Wife
"Chen re-imagines Austen's universe with humor and heart. Elegant, imaginative, and empathetic."--Jennifer duBois, author of Cartwheel and A Partial History of Lost Causes "Chen has made alive Jane Austen's irresistible Bennet family by her interest in all that we do not know, rather than what we do. If each novel is an answer to preceding ones, Chen has brought us up to date in a spirited and inventive way, reminding us with wit and charm that things are never as simple as we think."--Susanna Moore, author of In the Cut and Paradise of the Pacific
"In a debut that encompasses events before, during, and after Austen's [Pride and Prejudice], introverted Mary knows she'll have to marry, escapes the pressure through a love of reading and writing, and bears witness to a scandal that brings out her strong-minded independence. Janeites, don't miss."--Library Journal "Katherine J. Chen has dipped into Pride and Prejudice to pluck out and celebrate the seemingly most unpromising of the Bennet sisters. In giving Mary Bennet a resonant voice of her own, Chen has fashioned a luminous and enlightening novel that will entrance even, or especially, those who have not read Jane Austen's masterpiece."--John Banville, Man Booker Prize-winning author of The Sea and Mrs. Osmond "Perhaps not even a newly discovered Austen manuscript could exceed the delicious pleasure of Mary B. From an unswept corner of literature, Katherine J. Chen has conjured a heroine whose story is heartbreaking, hilarious, and, finally, thrilling. Mary B is a delight."--Susan Choi, author of My Education "Mary B is so much more than a retelling of Pride and Prejudice from the point of view of one of Elizabeth Bennet's sisters. It is a retelling for our time--bold, provocative, and thrilling. Bravo!"--Gish Jen, author of Mona in the Promised Land and The Love Wife
& --Susanna Moore, author of In the Cut and Paradise of the Pacific
"Perhaps not even a newly discovered Austen manuscript could exceed the delicious pleasure of Mary B. From an unswept corner of literature, Katherine J. Chen has conjured a heroine whose story is heartbreaking, hilarious, and, finally, thrilling. Mary B is a delight."--Susan Choi, author of An Education "Katherine J. Chen has dipped into Pride and Prejudice to pluck out and celebrate the seemingly most unpromising of the Bennet sisters. In giving Mary Bennet a resonant voice of her own, Chen has fashioned a luminous and enlightening novel that will entrance even, or especially, those who have not read Jane Austen's masterpiece."--John Banville, Man Booker Prize-winning author of The Sea and Mrs Osmond "Mary B is so much more than a retelling of Pride and Prejudice from the point of view of one of Elizabeth Bennet's sisters. It is a retelling for our time--bold, provocative, and thrilling. Bravo!"--Gish Jen, author of The Girl at the Baggage Claim: Explaining the East-West Culture Gap "Elegant, imaginative, and empathetic, Katherine J. Chen's novel reimagines Austen's universe with humor and heart."--Jennifer duBois, author of Cartwheel and A Partial History of Lost Causes
"Katherine J. Chen has made alive Jane Austen's irresistible Bennet family by her interest in all that we do not know, rather than what we do. If each novel is an answer to preceding ones, Chen has brought us up to date in a spirited and inventive way, reminding us with wit and charm that things are never as simple as we think."--Susanna Moore, author of In the Cut and Paradise of the Pacific "In a debut that encompasses events before, during, and after Austen's [Pride and Prejudice], introverted Mary knows she'll have to marry, escapes the pressure through a love of reading and writing, and bears witness to a scandal that brings out her strong-minded independence. Janeites, don't miss." --Library Journal
"The best part about Mary's star turn is that it bears little relation to the fates of her sisters. She's a simmering, churning, smart woman determined to concoct an independent life."--The Washington Post "Perhaps not even a newly discovered Austen manuscript could exceed the delicious pleasure of Mary B. From an unswept corner of literature, Katherine J. Chen has conjured a heroine whose story is heartbreaking, hilarious, and, finally, thrilling. Mary B is a delight."--Susan Choi, author of My Education "Katherine J. Chen has dipped into Pride and Prejudice to pluck out and celebrate the seemingly most unpromising of the Bennet sisters. In giving Mary Bennet a resonant voice of her own, Chen has fashioned a luminous and enlightening novel that will entrance even, or especially, those who have not read Jane Austen's masterpiece."--John Banville, Man Booker Prize-winning author of The Sea and Mrs Osmond "Mary B is so much more than a retelling of Pride and Prejudice from the point of view of one of Elizabeth Bennet's sisters. It is a retelling for our time--bold, provocative, and thrilling. Bravo!"--Gish Jen, author of The Girl at the Baggage Claim: Explaining the East-West Culture Gap "Elegant, imaginative, and empathetic, Katherine J. Chen's novel reimagines Austen's universe with humor and heart."--Jennifer duBois, author of Cartwheel and A Partial History of Lost Causes
"Katherine J. Chen has made alive Jane Austen's irresistible Bennet family by her interest in all that we do not know, rather than what we do. If each novel is an answer to preceding ones, Chen has brought us up to date in a spirited and inventive way, reminding us with wit and charm that things are never as simple as we think."--Susanna Moore, author of In the Cut and Paradise of the Pacific "In a debut that encompasses events before, during, and after Austen's [Pride and Prejudice], introverted Mary knows she'll have to marry, escapes the pressure through a love of reading and writing, and bears witness to a scandal that brings out her strong-minded independence. Janeites, don't miss." --Library Journal
Katherine J. Chen is a graduate of Princeton University. This is her first novel.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherVintage
- Publication date2018
- ISBN 10 0399592210
- ISBN 13 9780399592218
- BindingHardcover
- Number of pages336
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