Anjali V Raj

A Life of Her Own is a beautiful work that maintains the simplicity and charm of Jane Austen's novels. I felt the same warmth and comfort while reading this novel, only a true Jane Austen fan writer can accomplish that. Firstly, I applaud for bringing out the strong and elegant Margaret Dashwood into light who was shadowed by her sisters (Elinor and Marianne) in Sense and Sensibility. Sense and Sensibility is my least favourite Jane Austen novel but I loved every bit of Wendy’s adaptation from the novel in A Life of Her Own. Wendy was successful in transforming a naughty child from Sense and Sensibility who’s easily forgotten into this very powerful character who dispenses a true sense of independence and courage in women. I have read other adaptation works written from the perspective of some weakly represented characters in great classics but never read anything written and constructed this well. It has a strong plot worth exploring, an elegant style of narration and many beautiful analogies.

Really exciting and mesmerizing novel.