An Interview with Janice Hadlow / The Other Bennet Sister

In this interview, I’m sitting down with Janice Hadlow to discuss her debut novel, The Other Bennet Sister, which tells the story of the most overlooked of Jane Austen’s famous Bennet sisters - Mary Bennet.

Press the play button below to listen to my chat with Janice:

Janice Hadlow worked as a television producer for the BBC for many years. During her time in television, Janice received a number of awards and commissioned hit shows such as the Great British Bake Off, Wolf Hall and Line of Duty. Now focused on writing, The Other Bennet Sister is Janice’s first novel, and I absolutely adored it!

The Other Bennet Sister is a delightful read for anyone who loves Pride & Prejudice. It throws the plain, dull Mary Bennet into an entirely new light: shown to be an introvert in a family of extroverts, Mary Bennet grapples with her fate as the expected spinster of her family, forced to manage her domineering mother and yearning for an outlet for her intellectual ambitions.

Set partially within the world of Pride & Prejudice and then continuing beyond the timeframe of Jane Austen’s novel, The Other Bennet Sister examines what happens to Mary as she refuses to accept her fate and bravely sets out to discover her own happiness. I loved Mary’s story, but I also thoroughly enjoyed Janice Hadlow’s portrayal of other well-known characters from Pride & Prejudice: Mr & Mrs Collins, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, Miss Bingley and the Gardiners all make wonderful reappearances, alongside a host of charming new characters that could just as easily have been the products of Austen’s pen.

I had such a fun conversation with Janice, chatting about our mutual love for Jane Austen and the inspiration behind her book, and I hope you enjoy our chat as well.