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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
4.5 stars. While the writing is beautiful and I enjoyed the story, it is bit slow and I enjoyed Emma and Pride and Prejudice more.
I have read this book before, and this is a re-reading. Unfortunately, as I have found with most of Jane Austen's books in a re-read, I did enjoy it less this time around. This to me is one of those rare situations where a film has completely usurped a book, has given it the life and pith it lacked, and transformed it into an unforgettable story. The movie, perfectly cast, perfectly edited, is undoubtedly one of my favorites. It takes all the best parts of the written story, removes all of the unnecessary characters/story, and adds what the book lacked, (the heart), in my opinion.
The writing is light, humorous, full of witty conversations, but lacks a depth. It's certainly an entertaining story, but to really feel for the characters watch the movie, because there is where they really come alive. One thing I did appreciate reading the book was to see how much dialogue from the book is actually incorporated into the movie. It's great dialogue.
My biggest complaint with the book I suppose is how the ending is written. Austen takes so much trouble to set up these romances and then when the romances are actually realized, she completely skims over them, giving no actual look at what these couples would actually be like together. We see them actualized only in their disconnection, and that makes it hard to see how the relationships would work out. It is not so much an issue with Elinor and Edward, who we see as having a genuine connection throughout the book, but the tiny segment Austen dedicates to Marianne's marriage to Brandon is pitiful. Perhaps she didn't intend to suggest happiness for them? Marianne never once in the book looks to Brandon as a romantic interest. She never gives him any regard, and when she finally does, it is from her family and friends practically forcing a relationship on her. At nineteen she gives up on love and passion, and marries this man she does not feel for.
"But so it was. Instead of falling a sacrifice to an irresistible passion, as once she had fondly flattered herself with expecting -- instead of remaining even for ever with her mother, and finding her only pleasures in retirement and study, as afterwards in her more calm and sober judgment she had determined on -- she found herself at nineteen, submitting to new attachments, entering on new duties, placed in a new home, a wife, the mistress of a family, and the patroness of a village."
That passage to me is indescribably sad, especially put in the context with the rest of the chapter, with the family urging her to marry Colonel Brandon, putting her in his way so as to almost necessitate an attachment. "They each felt his sorrows [Brandon], and their own obligations [his kindness to their family], and Marianne, by general consent, was to be the reward of all. With such a confederacy against her -- with a knowledge so intimate of his goodness -- with a conviction of his fond attachment to herself, which at last, though long after it was observable to everybody else -- burst upon her -- what could she do?"
It wouldn't bother me so much if I thought that Austen intended the book to have a sad ending, but I don't believe that; I truly think she was trying to make it sound as if Marianne in the end, is happy with the decision -- and maybe she was, ultimately, in time -- but at what cost? Losing her belief in romance and passion, losing her impulsivity, her radiance? Settling for less than she dreamed? This book to me is a sad ending, a very morose end to a girl whose passions are in the beginning beautiful and slowly crushed.
I wonder, a little, whether Austen's inability to expound on the endings, on the happiness of a love actually fulfilled comes from inexperience or discomfort with an actual realized romance. This was her first published work, and while none of her books were published until she 1811, when she was 36, she was writing them earlier. She was never married, and the only romantic interest I know of her having was short; she received one marriage proposal from an uninteresting man which she accepted and then promptly rescinded. So, given that, although there isn't a lot of information on her, I find it plausible her inexperience is what causes her novels to lack a bit of depth.
One thing I did want to mention in praise of this book, (although I think the movie does it better ha!) is the way Willoughby is written. Although he is the scoundrel of the novel, he is not portrayed as a bad man, and he is genuinely likable. I love that he is not simply painted in black and white, and he is a character that we actually often root for, and wish could have been more honorable towards Marianne. He is perfectly cast in the movie. Also may I praise the removal of the following characters: Mrs. Middleton, Lucy's sister, Mr. Dashwood's son.
My inability to read this book without comparing it to the movie is a huge factor. I do wonder how I would like the book if I had never seen the film. I honestly think I would have liked it less. A lot of my affection for this book comes from my joy at comparing the two and reliving the story. I do have a soft spot for the story, and while the book is alright, I would much rather settle down under a blanket and watch Kate Winslet and Emma Thompson bring Marianne and Elinor to life.
The writing is light, humorous, full of witty conversations, but lacks a depth. It's certainly an entertaining story, but to really feel for the characters watch the movie, because there is where they really come alive. One thing I did appreciate reading the book was to see how much dialogue from the book is actually incorporated into the movie. It's great dialogue.
My biggest complaint with the book I suppose is how the ending is written. Austen takes so much trouble to set up these romances and then when the romances are actually realized, she completely skims over them, giving no actual look at what these couples would actually be like together. We see them actualized only in their disconnection, and that makes it hard to see how the relationships would work out. It is not so much an issue with Elinor and Edward, who we see as having a genuine connection throughout the book, but the tiny segment Austen dedicates to Marianne's marriage to Brandon is pitiful. Perhaps she didn't intend to suggest happiness for them? Marianne never once in the book looks to Brandon as a romantic interest. She never gives him any regard, and when she finally does, it is from her family and friends practically forcing a relationship on her. At nineteen she gives up on love and passion, and marries this man she does not feel for.
"But so it was. Instead of falling a sacrifice to an irresistible passion, as once she had fondly flattered herself with expecting -- instead of remaining even for ever with her mother, and finding her only pleasures in retirement and study, as afterwards in her more calm and sober judgment she had determined on -- she found herself at nineteen, submitting to new attachments, entering on new duties, placed in a new home, a wife, the mistress of a family, and the patroness of a village."
That passage to me is indescribably sad, especially put in the context with the rest of the chapter, with the family urging her to marry Colonel Brandon, putting her in his way so as to almost necessitate an attachment. "They each felt his sorrows [Brandon], and their own obligations [his kindness to their family], and Marianne, by general consent, was to be the reward of all. With such a confederacy against her -- with a knowledge so intimate of his goodness -- with a conviction of his fond attachment to herself, which at last, though long after it was observable to everybody else -- burst upon her -- what could she do?"
It wouldn't bother me so much if I thought that Austen intended the book to have a sad ending, but I don't believe that; I truly think she was trying to make it sound as if Marianne in the end, is happy with the decision -- and maybe she was, ultimately, in time -- but at what cost? Losing her belief in romance and passion, losing her impulsivity, her radiance? Settling for less than she dreamed? This book to me is a sad ending, a very morose end to a girl whose passions are in the beginning beautiful and slowly crushed.
I wonder, a little, whether Austen's inability to expound on the endings, on the happiness of a love actually fulfilled comes from inexperience or discomfort with an actual realized romance. This was her first published work, and while none of her books were published until she 1811, when she was 36, she was writing them earlier. She was never married, and the only romantic interest I know of her having was short; she received one marriage proposal from an uninteresting man which she accepted and then promptly rescinded. So, given that, although there isn't a lot of information on her, I find it plausible her inexperience is what causes her novels to lack a bit of depth.
One thing I did want to mention in praise of this book, (although I think the movie does it better ha!) is the way Willoughby is written. Although he is the scoundrel of the novel, he is not portrayed as a bad man, and he is genuinely likable. I love that he is not simply painted in black and white, and he is a character that we actually often root for, and wish could have been more honorable towards Marianne. He is perfectly cast in the movie. Also may I praise the removal of the following characters: Mrs. Middleton, Lucy's sister, Mr. Dashwood's son.
My inability to read this book without comparing it to the movie is a huge factor. I do wonder how I would like the book if I had never seen the film. I honestly think I would have liked it less. A lot of my affection for this book comes from my joy at comparing the two and reliving the story. I do have a soft spot for the story, and while the book is alright, I would much rather settle down under a blanket and watch Kate Winslet and Emma Thompson bring Marianne and Elinor to life.
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I'm socially exhausted just reading this book... And then they have to deal with men! My autistic lesbian ass would never survive in Victorian noble society. I was born in the right generation.
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Listened to the Rosamund Pike version.
Enjoyed this! Not my favorite Austen. I loved Colonel Brandon.
Enjoyed this! Not my favorite Austen. I loved Colonel Brandon.
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is the first book by Jane Austin I have read. I had been meaning to read her books lately and really enjoyed it!