Booklist reviews

Issue: November 1, 2020

Ladies of the House: A Modern Retelling of Sense and Sensibility.

Senator Gregory Richardson was an influential member of Congress before his fatal heart attack and before damaging secrets were revealed after his demise. His daughter Daisy, her sister Wallis, and their mother Cricket are devastated not only by the loss of their father and husband but also of life as they know it in their plush Georgetown home. Separately, they make choices meant to protect each other but instead lead to chaos. As things devolve, personal and professional boundaries blur in the messy political Washington, D.C., landscape. If there’s a solution out there, surely the Richardson women will find it, won’t they? Inspired by Sense and Sensibility, first-novelist Edmondson’s favorite Jane Austen novel, this updating remains focused on the female characters while offering an original exploration of their relationships with each other and the men in their lives. A glimpse into D.C. life, solidly dramatic moments at unexpected junctions, and a good balance between reflection and action all blend nicely in one satisfying story. A great choice for book groups (a reader’s guide is provided), this fresh take on a somewhat overlooked Austen novel will please her fans as well as readers looking for an emotionally engaging and hopeful story.

— Stacey Hayman