Rating: 
Summary: Mediocre book
Review: This was an okay novel, though too inspid for my taste. The plot was transparent and had all the complexity of a Barbara Cartland novel. I checked out two others by her at the same time I got this one, but they've gone back unread. I love Austen's characters, and love to speculate on what might have happened to them after the end of the novels. I've read every continuation I can get my hands on, and this one was the most disappointing. Read as a Regency novel, it wouldn't have been so bad, but it was simply not satisfying as an Austen continuation.
Rating: 
Summary: Barely worth to be read...
Review: Unlike Barret's first book, "Presumption", it's not somewhat entertaining, if a little shallow."The Third Sister", a Sense & Sensibility sequel, simply treads shallow waters, compromising between the two Barret 'extremes' by being sufficiently plotted, but dull and predictable. Margaret, miraculously transformed into a fine, intelligent young lady (one has the impression that Barret watched Emma Thompson's film, which included a lively, appealing child Margaret) has to choose between two young men, one resembling Edward Ferrars in his reserve and quiet demeanor, the other resembling Willoughby in his good looks and 'liveliness'. Unpredictably-or is it with complete predictability?- they are neither what Margaret thinks they are. And they are both shallow characters, very much like Margaret. There is very little emotional development and resonance between either and Margaret. The language is just barely adequate, the events so unmemorable that I can just recall the skeleton of the plot relating to Margaret after 2 years of reading the book. If you must read something else by Barret, read "Presumption". If you wish for an excellent Austen sequel, read "Sanditon", completed by Marie Dobbs.
Rating: 
Summary: I loved 3rd Sister!
Review: While remaining faithful to Jane Austen's rather predictable plot structure, moral tone and including all the previously spotlighted characters, Julia Barrett's sequel to SENSE AND SENSIBILITY still manages to sparkle with wit, irony, charm and originality. Barrett quickly establishes a tongue-in-cheek light touch in the opening chapter by noting the sheer imprudence of poor Margaret being born third in the family - and a girl yet - spurned even by Austen herself. This quickly involves the reader as being "in" on the hypocrisies of the day. What a great beginning. Luckily, our heroine, Margaret Dashwood, is rescued by none other than Barrett from being fated to remain mere postscript to the story. The author, indeed, has bigger plans for the heroine than the Muse herself. Ms. Barrett spirits Dashwood from a prosaic country existence, whisks Margaret away to the elegant, sophisticated refinement of Brighton, complete with its fashionable balls, high society, and intrigues. Barrett's heroine, the lovely Margaret Dashwood, is drawn with a sense of adventure, a philosophical, independent and creative turn of mind. She is romantic yet clear-thinking, compassionate, yet not a patsy. And, besides, even if she gets into a real bind, there is always her devoted older friend, Lady Clara, to run interference in matters of the heart. Margaret's declaration of liberation from the sexism of the day to the arrogant chauvinist-cum-artist, Stevenson, resonates with our contemporary sensibilities while making perfect sense in Austen's world. Dashwood's longing for love and self-identity, fully aware of her lack of social connections, also reflects Austen's themes of the importance of class and status. Her sensitively developed attraction to William du Plessy, a hero worthy of her affections, (though she holds out as long as possible), satisfied my own longing for a believable and winning romance. The exquisite contrast between our two virtuous sweethearts, and the scoundrels, Osborne, and Ferrars, and the appropriate, if predictable ends they all meet does not detract a bit from the enjoyment of the fascinating complications which arise along the way. I also loved the way the Barrett skillfully wove in the fashions of the day, the attitudes toward the Church, country vs. city life, and the influence of French culture, embodied with such irony by that great caricature and francophile snob, the fair Lady Ferrars. These cultural tidbits enriched my appreciation and understanding of certain segments of 19th century British society. I couldn't help but admire Barrett's ability to assume Austen's style-cadence, rhythm, diction and syntax-in such a natural and witty manner. For example, she notes that that Margaret's rather dense mother, found herself "admiring impudence as directness, audacity as wit, impropriety as imagination." And toward the end, when the author herself, entreated me as a reader to directly share in the amusement she, herself, was experiencing, thereby breaking the distance between the writer and the reader, well, I found it to be irresistible. The fun and delight of this journey made the reading such a luxurious entertainment. And after the tawdry business of today's news, what a pleasurable escape into a world where character and true love win out over all obstacles. Sound conventional? Not at all. Ms. Barrett's characters are full of vitality, impudence, sarcasm, wit and humor. For those of us who enjoyed Jane Austen's novels, this continuation of the lives of the Dashwood family is a welcome addition. A visually and emotionally compelling tale, THE THIRD SISTER deserves to be read and then to join its predecessors on the big screen.
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