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lauriestein's review
4.0
I read this last year, forgot to review it and definitely do not remember my specific thoughts. But my overall impression was that this was a very well-executed update, much better than the Austen Project's Northanger Abbey which was terrible. Not quite at the level of Eligible, but close.
megs_k's review
5.0
You're stuck with yourself, so you might as well try and be someone you can stand to live with. ~ Joanna Trollope
lisawreading's review
4.0
This retelling of the Austen classic is a fun and easy read, great for when you want to be entertained without working too hard. If you like the original, give this one a try!
kdurham2's review
2.0
Check out the full review at Kritters Ramblings
A "modern" re-telling of the classic that sort of fell flat for me. First, let me say that I must admit that I have not read the original, but am a fan of Austen and mostly enjoy her work, so I went into this with high hopes that I would enjoy a modernization.
For me it fell flat when parts of it felt very modern with Twitter, Facebook and cars, but then at the same moment there were parts that were stuck in the past - i.e. women fretting about living without a man and income and feeling unable to survive without a man and his income. The cast of characters was huge and I was having a hard time connecting with any of them and becoming engaged with the central few.
A "modern" re-telling of the classic that sort of fell flat for me. First, let me say that I must admit that I have not read the original, but am a fan of Austen and mostly enjoy her work, so I went into this with high hopes that I would enjoy a modernization.
For me it fell flat when parts of it felt very modern with Twitter, Facebook and cars, but then at the same moment there were parts that were stuck in the past - i.e. women fretting about living without a man and income and feeling unable to survive without a man and his income. The cast of characters was huge and I was having a hard time connecting with any of them and becoming engaged with the central few.
nicki_in_nz's review against another edition
3.0
A very faithful update of Sense and Sensibility and a nice read, but it only gets 3 stars from me because it's just that - there's nothing special about it.
Modern retellings are often disappointing because they are so different to the original that the characters are unrecognisable. This one had beautifully recognisable characters but nothing very new. Like I said - a nice read.
Modern retellings are often disappointing because they are so different to the original that the characters are unrecognisable. This one had beautifully recognisable characters but nothing very new. Like I said - a nice read.
allison87's review
3.0
I downloaded this by accident, so I wasn't expecting a modern retelling. Perhaps that colored my opinion of it, but it was ok. Most of it was fun, but honestly I was mostly just waiting for it to get to the end to see how things could work out with the changes she made. I did like that colonel Brandon got more attention in this version. Edward was kind of lame, though and his character didn't build enough for me to care about him. I honestly think Ellie could do better, and she doesn't even believe in a long term romance anyway so what's the point? That comment she made about not believing in that kind of love sort of ruined everything as it was not addressed in the end why she'd want to get married. Perhaps it was just her putting walls up to protect herself since she couldn't get what she wanted? But that wasn't made clear so I can only guess.
I didn't hate it but I wouldn't recommend it to my friends.
I didn't hate it but I wouldn't recommend it to my friends.
meadowofravens's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
colorfulleo92's review
2.0
This wasn't the worst "modernized" version of a classic that I've read. But I didn't particular enjoy it either. Wasn't my cup of tea
blodeuedd's review
3.0
It was well-written and everything, it's just...I always wanted to make changes in this book.
Like sensible Eleanor. Yes I get you fall for Edward, but the way he withholds the truth, and then *sigh* is such a gentleman to stand by Lucy. He should have broken it off before, he is really an idiot, is he not. And here it is stranger, cos today it makes no sense.
Right, Eleanor should so have married Brandon. I have always liked him, such a wonderful man.
Marianne was not as annoying here. She is just crazy in love. Oh and I will never get him. Claim to love her still. Fine, but that makes you a coward!!! And I never get the Brandon ending. They just do not suit.
This is purist so that is it. The story unfolds as it should unfold. Though I would have loved some modern inventions, like their mum finding love again ;)
Oh and Margaret was an annoying teen.
I could not have minded if the story had strayed a bit...Still, it was good.
Like sensible Eleanor. Yes I get you fall for Edward, but the way he withholds the truth, and then *sigh* is such a gentleman to stand by Lucy. He should have broken it off before, he is really an idiot, is he not. And here it is stranger, cos today it makes no sense.
Right, Eleanor should so have married Brandon. I have always liked him, such a wonderful man.
Marianne was not as annoying here. She is just crazy in love. Oh and I will never get him. Claim to love her still. Fine, but that makes you a coward!!! And I never get the Brandon ending. They just do not suit.
This is purist so that is it. The story unfolds as it should unfold. Though I would have loved some modern inventions, like their mum finding love again ;)
Oh and Margaret was an annoying teen.
I could not have minded if the story had strayed a bit...Still, it was good.
jodiesbookishposts's review
3.0
This is the first in a series of novels, adapting Jane Austen’s novels in a modern day setting. My mother was the first to tell me about the Austen Project and to be frank, I was sceptical for the outset. Adapting Austen isn’t new. Bridget Jones, The Lizzie Bennet Diaries, Clueless… these are all brilliant adaptations of Austen’s work. The thing with these re-tellings that make them so good is that they are markedly different whilst maintaining some of the key themes of the original.
Sense and Sensibility was okay. It was pretty well written dialogue and some interesting character developments. But, I don’t think it took enough risks.
I kept picturing the Emma Thompson film, the characters in the novel just jumped from the movie and it was until she dropped in a mention of jeans, Facebook or mobile phones that I even remembered it was supposed to be set in the present day.
There could have been so much more done with the story. It could have looked into avenues of other cultures than the typical white-middle class, it could have explored homosexual relationships or celebrity culture and work place nepotism. It could have been markedly different.
I’m hoping that my mother is right and that maybe Trollope was just warming up the idea and that other authors will take the risks but I can’t help but think that she has passed up an opportunity here.
We shall see when the next book comes out.
Sense and Sensibility was okay. It was pretty well written dialogue and some interesting character developments. But, I don’t think it took enough risks.
I kept picturing the Emma Thompson film, the characters in the novel just jumped from the movie and it was until she dropped in a mention of jeans, Facebook or mobile phones that I even remembered it was supposed to be set in the present day.
There could have been so much more done with the story. It could have looked into avenues of other cultures than the typical white-middle class, it could have explored homosexual relationships or celebrity culture and work place nepotism. It could have been markedly different.
I’m hoping that my mother is right and that maybe Trollope was just warming up the idea and that other authors will take the risks but I can’t help but think that she has passed up an opportunity here.
We shall see when the next book comes out.