The Independence of Miss Mary Bennet is set twenty years after the classic comes to a close. The fairy tale ending that we remember no longer remains. Elizabeth, who was once filled with dreams and ambition, is living in an unhappy marriage to a man that has no respect for her or her family. The beautiful and once desirable Jane is now simply used to deliver children while her husband frolics around the world. The new shining light in the Bennet family is Mary. Her small and not very memorable part in Pride and Prejudice (regarding her disastrous singing voice) makes her the perfect main character for a novel with already familiar personalities and settings.

Ashamed of marrying below his level, Fitzwilliam Darcy attempts to make up for this by making arrangements ensuring that no Bennet can get in the way of his valued political career. As a part of this scheme he decides the simple Mary should live far away at Shelby Manor with her silly and frivolous mother, whom she waits upon until the woman's death. As Mrs Bennet was in no hurry to leave this world, Mary lived with her for seventeen years, separate from society and with only her books to educate her. The story begins at the passing of Mrs Bennet.

Mary is filled with a need to have a purpose in life, she decides that she does not wish to have the society life of her sisters, instead she wants to change the world and help the poor. With the anticipation of uncovering the unjustness of England and becoming an aid to poor children Mary sets off - unaccompanied to the shock of her family, to travel with the hope of eventually writing and publishing a book on her findings.

This would not be the sequel to Pride and Prejudice if there were not several men trying to win the hand of Mary. New characters such as Angus Sinclair, Robert Wilde and Mary’s inspiration, the mysterious Argus take the lead in this romantic comedy just as centred on marriage and society views of a woman as the first novel.

The Independence of Miss Mary Bennet gives a whole new generation a chance to fall in love with the Bennet family. The novel takes on a much darker and intense storyline, making it a real page turner. Mary’s travels are nothing short of uncomfortable as many men find humour in a lady travelling by herself. Mary is subjected to robbery, assault and incarceration in her struggle for independence.

As Mary grows and faces challenges throughout the novel, it is an intriguing to consider just how much society morals and beliefs have changed towards women. The independent struggles for liberty, faced by women similar to Mary have since created the base to the fight for liberation and equality of women’s rights. Apart from being funny, inspiring and captivating The Independence of Miss Mary Bennet provides an immense insight into the importance of the roles of women.

Colleen McCullough has achieved what many great authors have dreamed of - she has written the follow up to one of the greatest novels of all time. In doing so she has created a fascinating novel that will be read and reread throughout the years.