Sense and Sensibility

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It's a hit!

This book was amazing in my opinion. I have discovered something with Jane Austen novels. They take a little bit to get into, but once you're into ... (show more)

This book was amazing in my opinion. I have discovered something with Jane Austen novels. They take a little bit to get into, but once you're into them, you don't want to ever set them down. The love stories that are spelled out, and the troubles they have to overcome make for a great read. I also think that if you look deeper into the book at what Jane Austen was trying to say, you can discover her views of society. Marriage - in this book, I would have to say that marriage is focused on money, unfortunately. That's what it was a lot of times back then, though, and girls didn't really have a choice about who they married. I also love how Jane Austen throws in a big twist near the end. When I read the twist in Sense and Sensibility, I kept on reading it over and over just to make sure I had read it right. Overall, I absolutely loved this book. (show less)

 

 

by Monica McConnel

No, it's a flop!

A Victorian narrative of "passing the trash", most of the characters are interested in one person, but have to settle for second choices. That's p... (show more)

A Victorian narrative of "passing the trash", most of the characters are interested in one person, but have to settle for second choices. That's pretty much the extent of the plot. Most of the characters attempt to double cross one another in order to further themselves in terms of finding suitable relationships. Even friends and siblings become rivals for the purposes of love. Bottom line according to Austen: it's okay to settle and you'll probably have to do so for whatever reason. Be happy with your second or third choice because that's all you'll be able to acquire more than likely.

I can't say that many of the characters are very interesting or likeable, except for Willoughby the extravagant playboy, and even then the connection I felt as a reader to Willoughby diminished near the end of Sense and Sensibility when he tried to gain forgiveness. Most of the other characters are wooden and one-dimensional, including Marianne and Colonel Brandon.

Maybe it's the modern male in speaking, but this book just doesn't do it for me. Give me something by Thomas Hardy any day of the week. (show less)

 

 

by Jake McConnell

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  'Sense and Sensibility' was the first of Jane Austen's novels to be published (though not the first written). S&S has a slightly more serious tone than, say, Austen's 'Northanger Abbey' or 'Pride and Prejudice'. In 'Pride and Prejudice', the Bennett sisters live with the knowledge that should their father die they would be comparatively penniless and would be forced to leave their home (hence the reason for Mrs Bennett's intense desire to see them married off). In 'S&S' this actually ... (show more)

  'Sense and Sensibility' was the first of Jane Austen's novels to be published (though not the first written). S&S has a slightly more serious tone than, say, Austen's 'Northanger Abbey' or 'Pride and Prejudice'. In 'Pride and Prejudice', the Bennett sisters live with the knowledge that should their father die they would be comparatively penniless and would be forced to leave their home (hence the reason for Mrs Bennett's intense desire to see them married off). In 'S&S' this actually happens to Mrs Dashwood and her three young daughters. Not only that a major character almost dies in this book. However, 'S&S' still features Austen's trademark comic characters and contains all of the other familiar elements that you'd expect from an Austen novel: insights into human nature, great dialogue, humour, a social commentary of what many young women of that time and class suffered from, etc. Although I don't think this book is Austen's best I still think it's a very good read. It's an engaging story of love, family and friendship with two young sisters confronted by adversity and learning to be happy when circumstances seem to be conspiring against them and unexpected things happen. Throughout Austen's comic talents and gift for storytelling shines through and there are some excellent characters here. My favourite being the cheerful Mrs Jennings, a woman who always seems to have the worst and least helpful things to say in a crisis but is a truly kind and selfless woman. Initially disapproved of and considered tactless and vulgar by the Dashwood sisters she later proves herself to be a true friend to them. Other memorable characters include the byronic Willoughby, the scheming bitch Lucy Steele and the comic Sir John Middleton and Mr & Mrs Palmer

  One of the things that I find so interesting about S&S is the fact that it features TWO heroines. I admired and was fond of both Elinor and Marianne Dashwood. Both are very believable characters and are full of integrity. I loved their relationship, thought they were a great foil for each other, and I found the contrast between them, such as their opposing views of love, really interesting. Elinor uses her head, Marianne uses her heart. Elinor is introspective, stoical, practical, sensible, cautious and reserved. Marianne is passionate, vibrant, deeply romantic and emotional, wearing her heart on her sleeve and abandoning herself to her emotions. Yet for all their differences the sisters have a close bond and a loving relationship. S&S is mostly told from Elinor's perspective although Austen does give you insights into what Marianne is thinking and it's she who goes through the most trials and changes in the book, maturing the most and gaining the greatest amount of self-awareness.

  My only criticisms of S&S would be the somewhat rushed ending and the fact that I found both Edward Ferrers and Colonel Brandon to be a bit flat and a little underdeveloped for my liking. Edward Ferrars may well be a kind, good-hearted man and well-suited to Elinor but he's a bit boring, especially when you start comparing him to Austen's other more interesting heroes. Colonel Brandon is kind, considerate and amiable, with a more interesting backstory than Edward and far more deserving of Marianne than Willoughby, but I would have been more satisfied with a little more information on how Marianne comes to fall in love with him. However, these things aside, S&S is still an excellent book. I would also recommend Ang Lee's excellent film adaptation of the book, starring Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet. It's a beautiful film, Emma Thompson did an amazing job with the screenplay, it's very faithful to the source material, and in some cases actually improves upon it . It's brilliantly-acted and a wonderful companion piece to the novel. (show less)

   

   

  by Hannah Louise Green on Sep 21, 2009 at 12:32AM

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  I know I only gave it three and a stars, despite my enjoying the book immensely, but I enjoyed other Austen books better.
  Being [one of] her earliest pieces, it is a bit difficult to read, particularly the long sentences and constant discussion on the topic at hand.

  I'll confess myself glad to have seen the film first, as it guided me through the book. Sometimes it's difficult to keep track of characters with the same first name, but different last names, or same last name, different relatio... (show more)

  I know I only gave it three and a stars, despite my enjoying the book immensely, but I enjoyed other Austen books better.
  Being [one of] her earliest pieces, it is a bit difficult to read, particularly the long sentences and constant discussion on the topic at hand.

  I'll confess myself glad to have seen the film first, as it guided me through the book. Sometimes it's difficult to keep track of characters with the same first name, but different last names, or same last name, different relation...sometimes they address someone formally, other times by their Christian name.

  I find in Austen, and particularly this story, that every thing builds and builds, and she takes so long in setting everything up almost to the point where the plot isn't even moving, and then in the last chapter or two everything is resolved very quickly. For example, she takes great pains in explaining and illustrated the past regrets of Colonel Brandon, and we feel so bad for him and hope he will win Marianne, which he does...but there's very little victory in it.
  In fact, it feels less like he won her heart and more like she settled for him. That's not romance. That's. Crap.
  I'm glad things ended up the way they were, for Willoughby was an ass, but still. Did Marianne's sensibilities die completely with the loss of WIlloughby that Austen felt that no detail could have been added to the courtship of Brandon and Miss Marianne? (show less)

   

   

  by Jehy T on Nov 20, 2009 at 06:11PM

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