4.18.2011

Sense & Sensibility

Author: Jane Austin
Pages: 448
Pub: 1811
Genre: Classic, Victorian

The Short of It

Sensible or not, Love is tricky.

The Long of It

The Dashwood women are in a precarious position.  After the death of their father, Elinor, Marianne, and Margaret are essentially forced to move from their comfortable and majestic estate to the farmland in a different area completely.  And although there are multiple characters in S&S, the story primarily follows the two older siblings, Elinor & Marianne.  Polar opposites, they must come to terms with their role in society and love.

The Thoughts about It

Jane Austen books have a way of welcoming the soul.  And I have to admit, I’m slightly restless knowing that I only have three more novels of hers to experience “for the first time”. Sense & Sensibility stole a piece of my heart immediately.  I love the contrasting roles of Elinor and Marianne.  Elinor constantly tries to follow proper etiquette and attempt to make others feel at ease.  Marianne, genuine and authentic, believes it is more important to live in the moment, at its fullest, with complete honesty.  Both are admirable women, even when their views conflict with what they know or what they hope.

The men, compared to Emma and Pride & Prejudice, didn’t stand out as much for me.  And I still stand by my decision that Mr. Knightly is the dreamiest.

But Sense & Sensibility didn’t strike me as a romance novel in the same way that Emma and P&P did.  Rather, it was much more a commentary of female roles, breaking free from those roles, and growing comfortable in them. Perhaps the most tragic, the love affair between Marianne and John Willoughby was a train wreck to read.  How much did I want to tell Willoughby off for being such a wuss!  To leave Marianne as ill and wretched as she was because he couldn’t move past his financial placement?  I mean, of course I get it.  I understand that these were different times, but the “Me” of 21st century sexual politics grows nearly riotous when it comes to this cultural and historical norms, especially when the romantic in me wants love to conquer all.

Oh and also, even though Lucy was hardly someone who I would sip tea with, I couldn’t help but feel bad for her role in the Elinor, Edward, Lucy triangle UNTIL she did that awful unimaginable deed that caused me to go, “Oh no you didn’t!” 
Finally, do you guys remember those internet crazes…Celebrity Death Match?  Or was it an MTV show?  Anyways, I’d love to see Fanny and Lucy duke it out.  If there were two women that deserve to be back-stabbing and bitter besties, it’s those two for sure.

Overall, Emma is still my Austen favorite….BUT Sense & Sensibility definitely took second place, leaving Pride & Prejudice resting in at third. 

11 comments:

  1. Hm, P & P is the only one I've read (I started this one once but didn't finish it) so looks like I should reconsider and read the rest of her books!

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  2. While I really liked Marianne (she's the only Austen character I can really relate to), this book didn't do anything for me, sadly.

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  3. You know how I feel about S&S. I believe the word is gushing, but I LOVE that you had a "oh no you didn't" moment.

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  4. Interesting! I like all of Austen's books, of course, but Sense and Sensibility is probably my least favorite. I find Marianne maddening, and I don't like any of the dudes in the book.

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  5. Like all of Ausuten's books, I love this one. It's not my favorite (that would be Persuaion), but there's something so beautiful about the sister's relationship. They are so different and yet they love each other so much. My sister and I are so much like them (she would be the Marianne, while I'm little miss logical) and I think that's why this one always stood out to me.

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  6. because of the movie, with Alan Rickman playing the Colonel I have a special place for S&S lol

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  7. I love Jane, but sense and sensibility is definitely not my favourite- I feel this may have something to do with having to read it for class rather than because there's anything wrong with it though.

    Can I just offer a teeny suggestion? DON'T leave Mansfield Park til last in your Austen experience, because you will be disappointed, I feel (the heroine is the epitome of the word drip). I would recommend leaving Persuasion til last because it's just lovely- although it's obviously up to you of course ;)

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  8. I read this book when I was in high school and can't wait to re-read it. I'm reading Emma off and on now, and it's the last Austen novel for me to read, so I know what you mean about feeling restless. I hope you love Persuasion as much as I did. That's my all-time favorite book.

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  9. Oh how I want to read this one but for some reason I'm intimidated. Not sure why having read three Austen books (same as you plus Northanger Abbey). Guess just haven't been in right state of mind. I also really love Emma--hoping that means I'll really like this one, too!

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  10. I liked this one slightly less than P&P and Persuasion is my favorite. I just started reading Emma so maybe I'll likethat one best :)

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  11. This one is my ABSOLUTE favorite. I haven't read Emma yet, but I'm warmed that it's your favorite. Soon! :-)

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