Sense and Sensibility [Paperback]

 

 

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My love for anything and everything Victorian has helped me embrace this novel set in the Regency Period, and so, naturally I fell in love with this timeless piece. This story of the very different Dashwood sisters and their clashing tastes in their choices of men to love, was endearing as well as very frustrating at times. Just when I thought the obvious about Colonel Brandon, Edward or Willoughby- the story took a different turn just to add to the intrigue of it all; classic Austen at its best.

The story revolves around love-sickness, love-triangles, a marriage of convenience, age and love, differences of choices and opinions, wealth and social status, influence, family conflict, secret-filled pasts and ultimately'and appropriately so: sense and sensibility. I'm still not sure which of the sisters I concurred with the most; Elinor or Marianne... Austen brilliantly shifts us from one perception to the other while embracing both depending on the situation. Ultimately the girls' reconciliation and love for eachother blends the disparities of state helping them come to terms with their own serenity. Love can then be found and accepted under a new light.

Sense and Sensibility is a light read embedded with deeper meaning that brings comfort, peaks interest and offers a colourful variety of figures (the comical busy-body Miss Jennings is indeed very special!) On the whole, this read meshed excitement, passion, drama as well as 'sagesse' in the lives of two otherwise very ordinary ladies of the times. The book doesn't skip a beat with essential meanings and turn of events within every paragraph- With this one, you won't want to blink:)

One can never get enough of elegantly written suspense-filled love twists and pangs. At least I can't- Loved it!

[...].

I had to read this novel for an ENG university class and I was excited because despite so many years, I had yet to pick up a Jane Austen book. I found that I really enjoyed the way she wrote and didn't feel like I was forcing myself to read through it. Upon a discussion in class however, the men spoke up about how it was not something they would've read in their free time.

I guess Austen has a way of using de-script words and likes to set the scene while most men like it with more...action? My boyfriend didn't complain about it but I think it was just to make me feel better.

I'm going to explore her other works but I will warn you that it is a little frustrating sometimes when all men are antagonists at first and the time period they were in really limit women.

"Sense and Sensibility" is the first published novel of Jane Austen. Originally published in 1811, the novel went through several versions perhaps starting with "Elinor and Marianne" in 1795, though it is not certain. I suspect that "Sense and Sensibility" is the second best known work of Austen after "Pride and Prejudice", and I would say that it is not as easy to read as "Pride and Prejudice". One of the reasons for this is due to the importance of what was considered proper behavior at the time, and without an understanding of that standard of behavior, the motivation of the characters is hidden from the reader. Nevertheless, it is still worth the effort to read and overall it is worthwhile. At the same time, it is well worth reading an edition like the Penguin Classics version, which helps the reader understand the period and societal standards which play an important role in this novel.

The main characters of "Sense and Sensibility" are the sisters Elinor and Marianne, who are the daughters of Mr. Dashwood and his second wife. There is a third daughter, Margaret and of course his second wife Mrs. Dashwood. When Mr. Dashwood passes away, his estate passes to his son by his first wife, leaving the Dashwood women into lives of reduced means. The two elder sisters experience nearly the same situations. Both find love, then the shock of learning that those they love are pre-engaged.

"Sense and Sensibility" is written in three volumes. The first deals with the transition of the Dashwood women to their new lives where they leave their Norland home move to stay with distant relations (the Middletons) at Barton Park. Elinor cares for Edward Ferras, the brother-in-law of her half-brother, and Marianne meets and is courted by John Willoughby. Willoughby leaves suddenly for London, causing Marianne distress. This volume also introduce Anne and Lucy Steele, two relations of the Middleton's who arrive as guests, but their arrival causes problems for Elinor who learns that Lucy is secretly engaged to her Edward. In Volume II, it is Marianne who learns that Willoughby has become engaged to another, due to his wasting his fortune and need for wealth. In Volume III the situations with the two sisters and those who they thought they loved is resolved, though in different ways.

"Sense and Sensibility", in my opinion, is more difficult for a modern reader to digest, but that does not mean that it doesn't have anything to offer. There are some wonderful moments and when presented in a scholarly format with detailed notes it can still be enjoyed the same way it was when first published. I don't personally rate "Sense and Sensibility" as high as "Pride and Prejudice", but it is still a very good novel and an important piece of literature.

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3.0 out of 5 stars A new twist to Sense and Sensibility
I've been considering getting one of Jane Austen book for a few years now but I never did so far. Yes I am honestly saying to you that I have never read one of her book before... Read more

Published 22 months ago by Canadianladybug

5.0 out of 5 stars I love the Insight Edition!
When I heard that Bethany House was offering Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility for review, I flew at the chance. Read more

Published on Feb 2 2010 by Christina Banks

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Similar to Pride but Holds Its Own by the End
In Sense and Sensible the storyline dwells on the two elder sisters of the Dashwood family, Elinor and Mariane. Read more

Published on July 10 2004 by Jennifer B. Barton

5.0 out of 5 stars Thumbs up for the reader
No one needs my naive commentary on this witty, charming, and rewarding stalwart of the canon; plenty has been written about Austen's novels. Read more

Published on July 9 2004 by Rod Kessler

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Introduction to Jane Austen's Works
Although SENSE AND SENSIBILITY is not of one Jane Austen's best novels, it is nonetheless a major novel, with the author's then-young talent in full display. Read more

Published on Jun 23 2004 by Debbie Lee Wesselmann

5.0 out of 5 stars still relevent for today
This is a story of two sisters, marrian and elinor, which, though very similar in some aspects, and share a very similar unfortunate love affair, are total different in their... Read more

Published on Jun 1 2004 by A. Dan

5.0 out of 5 stars From the Editor
"Sense and Sensibility," Jane Austen's first published novel (1811), tells the intertwined stories of two contrasting sisters, the lively, passionate, impulsive Marianne... Read more

Published on May 26 2004 by Beth Lau

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding listening!
The audiocassette of "Sense & Sensibility" read by Sarah Badel is truly outstanding. I love S&S anyway, but Ms. Read more

Published on Mar 29 2004

3.0 out of 5 stars Boring...but well written.
Jane Austen delivers an interestingly romantic story of two sisters and their everchanging love lives. Read more

Published on Feb 17 2004 by Anna Smith

5.0 out of 5 stars With Passion & Reason I Give 5 Stars To Sense & Sensibility!
Jane Austin is one of my favorite authors. I think that "Persuasion" is her best novel, with both "Sense And Sensibility" and "Pride And Prejudice" tied for second place. Read more

Published on July 19 2003 by Jana L. Perskie

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