5+ stars & 8/10 hearts. This was the last Austen book I read. The first time I read it, I wasn’t enthusiastic—probably because I was still reeling from shock by the end. But this time, I loved it.
Of course, the writing style was superb. Austen has a great gift for saying much while saying little, and is full of grace and dignity and beauty. Her trick of portraying character and setting in a few little strokes is pure genius, and her deep weave of plot and arc are absolutely amazing. It’s so hard to rate the Austen books, at first, but when I think about it I can set a pretty clear ranking based on how deeply I love the books. To me, Northanger Abbey is really only a hilarious satirical romp with a few good lessons, but Pride & Prejudice is a sparkling masterpiece of wit and style and character—an amazing story, an excellent piece of literature, and a splendid lesson. Emma is a sweet, light-hearted, yet thought-provoking journey, while Mansfield Park is a very deep, almost wistful & nostalgic bittersweet reflection. Persuasion is a delightful, satisfying romance. Sense & Sensibility strikes me a sort of mashup of Emma + Pride & Prejudice in style… more mature and serious than P&P, but with a more somber lesson than Emma.
The characters were amazing. I find it so interesting how much I relate both to Marianne and to Elinor. I am not as silly as Marianne, nor as rude and controlled by my passions (I hope), but I am not as steady and polite as Elinor (I wish). What a model she is, to be sure! She is such a wonderful woman—courageous, strong, beautiful, responsible, loving, and desirous of well-doing in all. Marianne was very sweet, and she meant well—but I think the older I get the more I understand how foolish her 17-year-old opinions are.
And then there's You-Know-Who. I love him, and then hate him, and then am fascinated into loving him again, and then despise him… I simply can’t figure him out and just puzzle over him and try to understand him for a long time after finishing the book. He made me think of Henry Crawford. Both were SO close to redemption but were too weak and threw it aside... and lost forever. (On that topic, though, he did make an important point: “I do not mean to justify myself, but at the same time cannot leave you to suppose that I have nothing to urge—that because she was injured she was irreproachable, and because I was a libertine, she must be a saint.” That is not something people consider enough—and not just about him.)
I loved Colonel Brandon from start to finish. He was amazing. I disliked Edward at first, but he won my regard and kept it to the end. What a respectable, honourable man he was! Lucy was horrid, Robert was awful, Fanny and John and Mrs. Ferrars were terrible. Lady Middleton was... just… very irritating most of the time, yet she could be well-mannered. Sir John you couldn't help liking even as you shook your head or rolled your eyes at him. And Mrs. Jennings I learned to love. She ended up really awfully nice. Mrs. Palmer was just *sigh* and Mr. Palmer was just *eyeroll,* but I did like Mrs. Dashwood, even if she could be foolish and easily swayed. She was at least very loving and honestly admitted to her mistakes.
As for the storyline, it was hooking. I read this entire book in pretty much two days/sessions because I simply COULD NOT put it down. The plot was so done. What a rollercoaster! And the ending is simply hilarious. It’s sobering story, really, but with some excellent lessons. I think what you come away with most is—how strong is your character? This is what will sink you or save you. Could YOU stand like Edward? Endure like Elinor? Persevere like Colonel Brandon? Are you judging people by appearances, or by their characters, or by their status, or by their influence? Do you passionately pursue your own loves and passionately grieve your own pain without noticing the hurt it can give others? Do you blindly pursue what is not for you, or happily choose to do what is not seemly because the one you love suggests it? This one whom you love—is he worthy of your love?
Content: A woman related to one of the MCs is married to a man she despises and runs away from home with another man. Being abandoned by him, she births his child and becomes a prostitute. Her daughter (16) is seduced by another young man, impregnated, and abandoned. Barely detailed + tastefully handled, but probably for ages 16/18+ depending on situation.
A Favourite Quote: “Four months!”—cried Marianne again.—“So calm! so cheerful! how have you been supported?”—
“By feeling that I was doing my duty.— ... I did not love only him;—and while the comfort of others was dear to me, I was glad to spare them from knowing how much I felt. Now, I can think and speak of it with little emotion. I would not have you suffer on my account.”
A Favourite Beautiful Quote: “They gaily ascended the downs, rejoicing in their own penetration at every glimpse of blue sky; and when they caught in their faces the animating gales of a high south-westerly wind, they pitied the fears which had prevented their mother and Elinor from sharing such delightful sensations. “Is there a felicity in the world,” said Marianne, “superior to this?—Margaret, we will walk here at least two hours.” Margaret agreed, and they pursued their way against the wind, resisting it with laughing delight for about twenty minutes longer.”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “Her family had of late been exceedingly fluctuating. For many years of her life she had had two sons; but the crime and annihilation of Edward a few weeks ago, had robbed her of one; the similar annihilation of Robert had left her for a fortnight without any; and now, by the resuscitation of Edward, she had one again. In spite of his being allowed once more to live, however, he did not feel the continuance of his existence secure, till he had revealed his present engagement.”
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