Rating: 
Summary: Ummm, okay.
Review: Of the relatively few sequels written to Sense and Sensibility, this would have to be one of the better ones. It is entertaining, though not very accurate to Austen or S&S. As a sequel, it is horrible while as regular book, it's okay. It would have been really nice to see a greater focus on Elinor and Marianne, who, after all, were the characters we fell in love with. Poor Margaret was always ignored by Austen, and it is nice that someone rembered her, but she wasn't the sister that we cried for or the one that we laughed with. Barret does a commendable job in writing an interesting book, but deserves nothing in writing an Austen sequel.
Rating:
Summary: Ummm, okay.
Review: Of the relatively few sequels written to Sense and Sensibility, this would have to be one of the better ones. It is entertaining, though not very accurate to Austen or S&S. As a sequel, it is horrible while as regular book, it's okay. It would have been really nice to see a greater focus on Elinor and Marianne, who, after all, were the characters we fell in love with. Poor Margaret was always ignored by Austen, and it is nice that someone rembered her, but she wasn't the sister that we cried for or the one that we laughed with. Barret does a commendable job in writing an interesting book, but deserves nothing in writing an Austen sequel.
Rating:
Summary: Ummm, okay.
Review: Of the relatively few sequels written to Sense and Sensibility, this would have to be one of the better ones. It is entertaining, though not very accurate to Austen or S&S. As a sequel, it is horrible while as regular book, it's okay. It would have been really nice to see a greater focus on Elinor and Marianne, who, after all, were the characters we fell in love with. Poor Margaret was always ignored by Austen, and it is nice that someone rembered her, but she wasn't the sister that we cried for or the one that we laughed with. Barret does a commendable job in writing an interesting book, but deserves nothing in writing an Austen sequel.
Rating: 
Summary: a selection of reviewers' comments on THE THIRD SISTER
Review: RAVES for THE THIRD SISTER"...with easy and elegant phrasing, THE THIRD SISTER manages to excel at recreating the polite scorn with which Austen women treat Austen men. ... The spotlight belongs to Margaret, an adventurous beauty wise beyond her .years, stifled by the tedium of Barton Park's confined society. Fans of the original will enjoy juicy cameo appearances by such favorites as Mrs. Ferrars and the former Lucy Steele. They'll also enjoy a good story, tight writing and a heroine with brains and charm." THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW "Stylish, witty, and deliciously entertaining, THE THIRD SISTER is, quite simply, a delight." BOOK PAGE "Both Barrett and Austen excel at what should be the primary goal of novelists, yet one that so few authors seem able to achieve:capturing our imaginations, holding us spellbound, and-- even after the story's resolution --leaving us wanting to know more." BRITISH HERITAGE MAGAZINE "...the dialogue is crisp and amusing and the threat of unhappy marriage compelling in this tale of Margaret Dashwood's emotional blossoming." BOOKLIST "Most intriguing is Julia Barrett's THE THIRD SISTER. ... It pays homage to Austen's ironic humor, describing the befuddled Mrs. Dashwood as 'capable ofadmiring impudence as directness, audacity as wit, impropriety as imagination." SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE "Barrett's latest, an ambitious continuation of Austen's SENSE AND SENSIBILITY, mimics her model's vocabulary and cadence competently and recreates characters and settings with generally scrupulous attention to detail." "Lit pick" of the week: DAILY VARIETY "The premier author of Jane Austen sequels presents readers with a delightful look into the life of Margaret Dashwood, the third sister in the wonderous SENSE AND SENSIVIBILITY.... Julia Barrett has a knack for recreating Jane Austen's world and enough of her style to captivate readers. With the wit and attention to detail readers loved about the original, this new tale is a definite delight and not to be missed by Austen fans. ROMANTIC TIMES "Beyond 'Sensibility.' Notable...even the persnickety Miss Austen would approve." THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE "Jane Austen fans will recognize her satirical wit and subtle criticism, but it is Julia Barrett's own creativity that has turned Austen's leavings into an entertaining novel." THE FLINT JOURNAL "Julia Barrett reclaims young Margaret with language that displays considerable skill and precision... Even if you have never read Jane Austen, pick [THE THIRD SISTER] up out of curiosity." OK! WEEKLY, LONDON "It is delightful entertainment, capturing Austen's dry with and lively plot so faithfully, it is hardly possible to see the join. The pity of it is Jane Austen never had the chance to enjoy it." STOCKPORT TIMES EAST (Manchester)
Rating: 
Summary: A lovely sequel
Review: The Third Sister was a welcome sequel to a delightful book (namely: Sense & Sensibility)! I enjoyed the characters, and was pleased to see Julia Barrett keep all the original characters true to form. Robert and Lucy are just as they ought to be, and the same with the other couples: Elinor and Edward, Fanny and John, the Middleton's and of course, Marianne and her Colonel Brandon. I thought the expansion of Margaret Dashwood was charming, and she herself; her character and pursuits worth reading about. The "new" gentleman were both very well developed. "Mrs" Williams was indeed a delightful character, and her sweet little boy. It was nice to see her in such a thought-provoking way; seeing her mistakes and trying to train her boy to be a true man and gentleman. I was very caught up in the story, and surprised by the ending - though it is by no means unpleasant! Although it is definately not Jane Austen, it is a pleasant and intriguing story to add after S&S. I sincerely recommend it!
Rating:
Summary: A lovely sequel
Review: The Third Sister was a welcome sequel to a delightful book (namely: Sense & Sensibility)! I enjoyed the characters, and was pleased to see Julia Barrett keep all the original characters true to form. Robert and Lucy are just as they ought to be, and the same with the other couples: Elinor and Edward, Fanny and John, the Middleton's and of course, Marianne and her Colonel Brandon. I thought the expansion of Margaret Dashwood was charming, and she herself; her character and pursuits worth reading about. The "new" gentleman were both very well developed. "Mrs" Williams was indeed a delightful character, and her sweet little boy. It was nice to see her in such a thought-provoking way; seeing her mistakes and trying to train her boy to be a true man and gentleman. I was very caught up in the story, and surprised by the ending - though it is by no means unpleasant! Although it is definately not Jane Austen, it is a pleasant and intriguing story to add after S&S. I sincerely recommend it!
Rating: 
Summary: totally in error
Review: This book was so full of a trying-to-hard Austen language that it was very annoying. I didn't get past the first chapter. The development of Margaret seemed fake and not in a way Austen had her heading in her novel. Margaret desired to travel, but nothing is said of this. Something like this would not disappear in three years. Authors shouldn't stray from the original author's intention.
Rating:
Summary: An enjoyable book and outstanding "sequel" to S&S
Review: This is a faithful sequel to Sense and Sensibility and reacquaints us to most of the characters from the original. Imaginative and yet staying true to Ms. Austen's characterizations, Jane Barrett has proven herself (with this and "Persuasion") as one of the better novelists who have dared to follow in Ms. Austen's shoes.
Rating:
Summary: Just awful
Review: This is a fun read for Austen fans who are drawn to the mood and social nuance of Austen's work. 'The Third Sister' is the continuation of 'Sense and Sensibility.' We get glimpses into how Eleanor and Marriane are doing in their new lives and marriages, but the true focus of the story is Margaret Dashwood, the youngest sister, who has now grown into a beautiful young woman. Margaret, it seems, took Marianne's traumatic lessons in love much more to heart than any of the others. She's girded herself against flirtacious rogues like Willoughby, and is prepared to resist their wiles staunchly. 'The Third Sister' is the tale of Margaret's coming of age, her adventures in romance, and her mastery of both sense and sensiblity. This book is well-written in faux-Austenesque prose, and the story is engaging. But, it's a case of so close, and yet so far for me. I found it difficult to overlook the repeated un-Austen-like moments, which kept grounding me in the counterfeit nature of the work. Plus, the story itself, while very like an Austen tale in so many ways, wasn't nearly as gripping, or tension-filled, as Austen's own novels. Margaret's character, and that of Lady Clara, was well-developed. But her romantic interests were not given the same amount of attention and motivation, which left their relationships with Margaret rather pale and unsubstantial. So, I recommend this book to Austen fanatics for the little bit of escapism it provides--for those moments when I was able to forget that this book wasn't written by Austen. But, be prepared for those moments to be repeatedly burst by the frequent flaws that continue to announce it an imitation.
Rating:
Summary: Almost Austen
Review: This is a fun read for Austen fans who are drawn to the mood and social nuance of Austen's work. 'The Third Sister' is the continuation of 'Sense and Sensibility.' We get glimpses into how Eleanor and Marriane are doing in their new lives and marriages, but the true focus of the story is Margaret Dashwood, the youngest sister, who has now grown into a beautiful young woman. Margaret, it seems, took Marianne's traumatic lessons in love much more to heart than any of the others. She's girded herself against flirtacious rogues like Willoughby, and is prepared to resist their wiles staunchly. 'The Third Sister' is the tale of Margaret's coming of age, her adventures in romance, and her mastery of both sense and sensiblity. This book is well-written in faux-Austenesque prose, and the story is engaging. But, it's a case of so close, and yet so far for me. I found it difficult to overlook the repeated un-Austen-like moments, which kept grounding me in the counterfeit nature of the work. Plus, the story itself, while very like an Austen tale in so many ways, wasn't nearly as gripping, or tension-filled, as Austen's own novels. Margaret's character, and that of Lady Clara, was well-developed. But her romantic interests were not given the same amount of attention and motivation, which left their relationships with Margaret rather pale and unsubstantial. So, I recommend this book to Austen fanatics for the little bit of escapism it provides--for those moments when I was able to forget that this book wasn't written by Austen. But, be prepared for those moments to be repeatedly burst by the frequent flaws that continue to announce it an imitation.
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