Being Mary Bennet

by J. C. Peterson

Overview

It is a truth universally acknowledged that every bookworm secretly wishes to be Lizzy Bennet from Pride and Prejudice.

A less acknowledged truth is that Mary Bennet might be a better fit.

For Marnie Barnes, realizing she’s a Mary Bennet is devastating. But she’s determined to reinvent herself, so she enlists the help of her bubbly roommate and opens up to the world. 

And between new friends, a very cute boy, and a rescue pup named Sir Pat, Marnie finds herself on a path to becoming a new person entirely. But she’s no Lizzy, or even Mary—instead, she’s someone even better: just plain Marnie.

With a hilariously sharp voice, a sweet and fulfilling romance that features a meet-cute in an animal shelter, and a big family that revels in causing big problems, this charming comedy of errors about a girl who resolves to become the main character of her own story (at any and all costs), is perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Becky Albertalli…and Jane Austen, of course.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780063060135
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	03/15/2022
Pages:	384
Sales rank:	309,516
Product dimensions:	5.70(w) x 8.40(h) x 1.10(d)
Age Range:	13 - 17 Years

About the Author

J.C. Peterson lives in Denver, Colorado, with her husband, two small sons, and one enormous tabby. She earned her degree in journalism from Michigan State University and worked as an award-winning journalist and editor at an alt-newsweekly before becoming a freelance writer and mom. When not dreaming up funny contemporary stories or herding children, she loves to eat and shop local, explore the Colorado mountains, and plan new adventures. Being Mary Bennet is her first novel, and you can find her at jcpetersonwrites.com.

Editorial Reviews

01/17/2022

When “accidental roommate and apparent birthday expert” Adhira Fitz refuses to let Marnie Barnes, “academic extraordinaire and solitude expert,” spend her 18th birthday at their school library, it ends in a spat. Marnie, who’s white, knew she was an introvert and a bit of a know-it-all, but it hurts when Indian Canadian Adhira says that she’s not Lizzy Bennet, heroine—instead, she’s Mary Bennet, “the dowdy, lecture-prone sister from Pride and Prejudice” who pales in comparison to her clever, socially adept older sisters. Marnie, whose senior year of high school is also her first at boarding school, resolves to change, but feelings of insecurity keep getting the best of her—both with her family and around a boy she meets while developing the project she hopes will win the school prize for a socially conscious undertaking. Though the Pride and Prejudice parallels don’t add much, and the inclusion of Silicon Valley grudges and the bad behavior of Marnie’s tech bro crush feel heavy-handed, debut author Peterson shows the difficulties of overcoming habitual behavior through relationships rather than a to-do list. Fortunately, unlike Mary, Marnie has a good friend whom she increasingly values and a sister she comes to see as a real person, not an overweening presence that she’ll never live up to. Ages 13–up. (Mar.)

Publishers Weekly

Full of voice and charm, Being Mary Bennet is an exceptional debut that tackles coming of age with humor, care, and emotional depth. Peterson creates a cast of complex characters and relationships you’ll instantly adore and root for while also embracing their flaws and shortcomings. A delightful, memorable story.”  — Kelsey Rodkey, author of Last Chance Books

"A witty, creative retelling packed with charming characters and hilarious antics. Being Mary Bennet filled my Austen-loving heart with so much joy!"
— Rachel Lynn Solomon, author of Today, Tonight, Tomorrow

"Hilarious and heartfelt, this debut proves that everyone deserves to be the main character in their own story. Jane Austen fans, prepare to fall in love!"
— Kristy Boyce, author of Hot British Boyfriend

"Hilarious and smart, Being Mary Bennet is a soulful, swoonworthy coming of age story that reminds us that everyone deserves to be the main character in their own life. I’m sure Jane Austen would agree!" — Monica Gomez-Hira, author of Once Upon a Quinceañera 

“The perfect novel for any reader who wishes they were a heroine but secretly identifies more with background characters… An utterly authentic, captivating story.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“Literary references, friendship, family drama, adorable dogs—this book has it all! Fans of Jane Austen will eat up this playful contemporary homage to Pride and Prejudice.” — School Library Journal

“While [Marnie’s] self-deprecating humor is part of the story’s appeal, there’s also something endearing about watching this earnest character do what has to be done, even if she risks making a fool of herself in the process. A promising first novel.” — Booklist

From the Publisher

While [Marnie’s] self-deprecating humor is part of the story’s appeal, there’s also something endearing about watching this earnest character do what has to be done, even if she risks making a fool of herself in the process. A promising first novel.

Booklist

02/01/2022

Gr 8 Up—Marnie Barnes is the quintessential middle child, outshone by her older sisters and upstaged by her younger ones. Desperate to prove her worth to her family, she designs a program for children to read aloud to shelter dogs, hoping that it will be the key to her winning the Hunt Prize, an elite award presented to only one senior at her high school. But when her roommate calls her out for being a Mary Bennet (the quiet, annoying, and nerdy middle sister in Pride and Prejudice), Marnie becomes determined to turn herself into the heroine of her own story. Can she come out of her bookworm shell and prove herself to everyone around her? Literary references, friendship, family drama, adorable dogs—this book has it all! It is full of realistic characters whom readers will be rooting for. While the plot sometimes feels a bit issue-heavy, Peterson's debut novel deftly balances these issues with lighthearted fun and an incredibly sweet romance. The secondary characters are fully developed, and Marnie's own character growth progresses naturally throughout the story. VERDICT A solid purchase for your teen collection; fans of Jane Austen will eat up this playful contemporary homage to Pride and Prejudice.—Chelsey Masterson

School Library Journal

2021-12-24
Told she resembles one of Jane Austen’s least likable characters, an aggrieved, self-doubting teen strives to change her ways.

Marnie Barnes, 18, a wealthy senior at an upscale San Francisco boarding school, feels pressured. When her older sister Lindy was a senior, her project won the school’s prestigious Hunt Prize. Now Marnie’s desperate to win it herself—her Stanford ambitions and family’s appreciation ride on it. The third of five daughters, Marnie feels slighted by their mother, who comments unfavorably on her weight. Facing the deadline to submit her project proposal (having children read to dogs at an animal shelter), she’s neither gracious nor grateful when her roommate, Adhira Fitz, introduces her to friends with animal-shelter contacts. When exasperated Adhira compares her to Elizabeth Bennet’s awful sister, Marnie realizes she needs to change, a challenge made easier by Eugene “Whit” Whitlock, the cute boy volunteering at the animal shelter who helps get her project on track. But Marnie’s still crushing on hot venture capitalist Hayes Wellesley, Lindy’s best friend’s fiance.Unlike Austen’s Mary, Marnie is redeemable—refreshingly imperfect, her characterization mostly rings true, and it’s her struggles that will keep readers invested as the plethora of largely familiar character types move through the unruly plot. Marnie is White; Canadian Adhira, who largely functions as the supportive BFF, has relatives in India; and Whit has a White American father and Japanese mother.

A coming-of-age story best appreciated by fans of genre romance. (Fiction. 14-18)

Kirkus Reviews

The perfect novel for any reader who wishes they were a heroine but secretly identifies more with background characters… An utterly authentic, captivating story.

Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

"Hilarious and heartfelt, this debut proves that everyone deserves to be the main character in their own story. Jane Austen fans, prepare to fall in love!"

Kristy Boyce

While [Marnie’s] self-deprecating humor is part of the story’s appeal, there’s also something endearing about watching this earnest character do what has to be done, even if she risks making a fool of herself in the process. A promising first novel.

Booklist

Full of voice and charm, Being Mary Bennet is an exceptional debut that tackles coming of age with humor, care, and emotional depth. Peterson creates a cast of complex characters and relationships you’ll instantly adore and root for while also embracing their flaws and shortcomings. A delightful, memorable story.” 

Kelsey Rodkey

"Hilarious and smart, Being Mary Bennet is a soulful, swoonworthy coming of age story that reminds us that everyone deserves to be the main character in their own life. I’m sure Jane Austen would agree!"

Monica Gomez-Hira

"A witty, creative retelling packed with charming characters and hilarious antics. Being Mary Bennet filled my Austen-loving heart with so much joy!"

Rachel Lynn Solomon

For Jane Austen fans who are team Mary Bennet, narrator Sarah Beth Pfeifer is here for the win. High school senior Marnie Barnes is desperate to win her school’s Hunt Prize and step out of her older sister Lindy’s shadow. Pfeifer voices a jaded, high-strung, book-loving Marnie who is as sarcastic as she is lovable. Marnie’s uber supportive roommate, Adhira, has a warm, charming voice. Everyone in Marnie’s family, including her hilariously self-centered mother, has distinct voices—as do her love interests. Marnie’s thoughts and speech are sometimes a little hard to distinguish. The story is a unique homage, and Pfeifer is there for every sly reference and plot twist. Her impeccable use of tone makes this a must-listen story. C.A. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine

APRIL 2022 - AudioFile

For Jane Austen fans who are team Mary Bennet, narrator Sarah Beth Pfeifer is here for the win. High school senior Marnie Barnes is desperate to win her school’s Hunt Prize and step out of her older sister Lindy’s shadow. Pfeifer voices a jaded, high-strung, book-loving Marnie who is as sarcastic as she is lovable. Marnie’s uber supportive roommate, Adhira, has a warm, charming voice. Everyone in Marnie’s family, including her hilariously self-centered mother, has distinct voices—as do her love interests. Marnie’s thoughts and speech are sometimes a little hard to distinguish. The story is a unique homage, and Pfeifer is there for every sly reference and plot twist. Her impeccable use of tone makes this a must-listen story. C.A. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine

APRIL 2022 - AudioFile