Scan barcode
hello_lovely13's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
slow-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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism
Moderate: Sexism
quasinaut's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
My first Jane Austen! I enjoyed reading about these characters that I'd only known about through media and cultural osmosis. Austen's ability to lovingly draw out her characters' faults and idiosyncrasies was quite fun. There were parts that felt too glossed over - like why some actions were forgiven or age differences allowed - but all in all, a solid introduction to her writing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Sexism
Minor: Death of parent
chrisologo's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
ommon Austen W for being a witty writer. made me root for the Dashwood sisters. made me hate Willoughby. lowkey ick because Colonel Brandon is much older than Marriane.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism, Adult/minor relationship, and Racism
lovelymisanthrope's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I picked up the Barnes & Noble Classic edition of this novel in my quest to slowly collect and read more classics.
"Sense and Sensibility" follows Marianne Dashwood and her sister, Elinor. Marianne has fallen for John Willoughby, a man who truly does not deserve her time. Elinor warns Marianne to not be impulsive, but Marianne wants to follow her heart and give him a chance. Elinor, who has always played by the book, has her own romantic disappointment, but she tries to hide it from everyone. These sisters have to learn how to balance their sense and sensibility when falling in love in a world where money and status mean everything.
The thing I really enjoyed about this novel was the discussions of money and being a woman. During this time period, it was very uncommon for a woman to be self-sufficient nor to have a major voice over the family's finances. However, in this novel, Jane Austen writes strong women who know how to manipulate the conversation with their partners in order to control where the household money goes. I think this is so powerful and is great foreshadowing to highlight that women are going to play a bigger role in their households in years to come.
This was not my favorite Jane Austen novel, but it is not terrible either. Ultimately, I struggled to become invested in this story because the plot felt denser than it needed to be. I really loved the discourse surrounding money, and I think some of the ideas of proper and smart investments are very noteworthy and translatable for today's world. Something I kept reading was this idea of not spending more than the interest you earn on the wealth you have. We do not need to go into debt, and I really loved seeing this being discussed. Unfortunately, I was more interested in this plot line than any of the romance going on.
I will, of course, read more from Jane Austen in the future, and perhaps I will give this another read at a later date to see if I enjoy it more.
"Sense and Sensibility" follows Marianne Dashwood and her sister, Elinor. Marianne has fallen for John Willoughby, a man who truly does not deserve her time. Elinor warns Marianne to not be impulsive, but Marianne wants to follow her heart and give him a chance. Elinor, who has always played by the book, has her own romantic disappointment, but she tries to hide it from everyone. These sisters have to learn how to balance their sense and sensibility when falling in love in a world where money and status mean everything.
The thing I really enjoyed about this novel was the discussions of money and being a woman. During this time period, it was very uncommon for a woman to be self-sufficient nor to have a major voice over the family's finances. However, in this novel, Jane Austen writes strong women who know how to manipulate the conversation with their partners in order to control where the household money goes. I think this is so powerful and is great foreshadowing to highlight that women are going to play a bigger role in their households in years to come.
This was not my favorite Jane Austen novel, but it is not terrible either. Ultimately, I struggled to become invested in this story because the plot felt denser than it needed to be. I really loved the discourse surrounding money, and I think some of the ideas of proper and smart investments are very noteworthy and translatable for today's world. Something I kept reading was this idea of not spending more than the interest you earn on the wealth you have. We do not need to go into debt, and I really loved seeing this being discussed. Unfortunately, I was more interested in this plot line than any of the romance going on.
I will, of course, read more from Jane Austen in the future, and perhaps I will give this another read at a later date to see if I enjoy it more.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness and Sexism
Minor: Death
thecriticalreader's review against another edition
hopeful
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
3.5
Sense and Sensibility is the third Jane Austen novel I have read. I have previously enjoyed Pride and Prejudice and Emma, so I was looking forward to reading Sense and Sensibility.
If you have read Jane Austen before, you will recognize the clever social satire, well-written characters, humor, emotion, and heart that characterize her works. I quickly became invested in the lives of the two main characters, sisters Elinor and Marianne Dashwood, and thoroughly enjoyed reading about their family, friends, and acquaintances. One thing that I did not expect is the level of mystery that persists throughout the book. There is not any murder or crime, but characters tend to act in unexpected ways that kept me guessing. Some of the twists and turns left me genuinely shocked!
Although the book has plenty of positive elements, certain things detracted from my enjoyment. The plot became too convoluted at times, and the ending felt far too rushed and unearned. I also would have liked to see Elinor have more character development throughout the book.
I would recommend this book to people who have already read and enjoyed one or more of Jane Austen’s novels, but suggest that people new to her works start with Emma or Pride and Prejudice.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Infidelity, Mental illness, Toxic friendship, Adult/minor relationship, Sexism, and Abandonment
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Alcohol, Pregnancy, and Death of parent
toffishay's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
slow-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
4.25
I really loved this book! Elinor and Marianne have such a fun relationship and their different approaches to love and relationships were very engaging. I loved Elinor too! She is maybe my favorite Austen character now, with Anne from Persuasion as a close second. But Elinor is so strong and funny and interesting. All of her inner dialogue and her willingness to be sharp when she needs to be, made me glad that she is who we follow. I also liked Marianne though and I think she gets shorted in the book a bit. Yes, she engages in flights of fancy but she is 17! I liked the moments where Elinor was able to be there for her though and support her; how they were really able to support each other. Like all Austen books, the end seems to wrap up a little too quickly to me and there is a point in the second volume where things really slow down. Some of the back-and-forths and misunderstandings could have been cut, especially because some are resolved so quickly that they don't impact the plot at all. But I had a good time reading this one and could see myself revisiting it before some others from Austen :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Infidelity, Toxic friendship, Classism, Grief, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Misogyny, Sexism, Pregnancy, Death, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, Bullying, Adult/minor relationship, and Death of parent
grets_reads's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Child death, Classism, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, and Infidelity
Minor: Grief and Pregnancy
mindins's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Sexism
Minor: Death and Pregnancy
eggsoap's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism
Moderate: Sexism and Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Infidelity
lindseyhall44's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
This is my second Jane Austen novel and I really enjoyed it! Although it is more of a gentle book (in my opinion) the witty social commentary packs a punch which will leave you thinking of our two heroines for many days after.
Sense and Sensibility follows the romantic and self exploration of two sisters after the tragic death of their father. Where Elinor is more prone to reason (Sense), Marianne gives way to her emotions (Sensibility), creating a contrasting depiction of love in a disproportionate society.
The duplication of events in such a polarizing way highlights incredible writing by Jane Austen, especially admirable as this is believed to be her debut adult fiction. The characters too are fleshed out and understandable, even when written in another century! While some may find it slow, Sense and Sensibility is an incredibly smart book, I cannot wait to continue into Jane Austen’s literary catalog, with Persuasion up next!
Sense and Sensibility follows the romantic and self exploration of two sisters after the tragic death of their father. Where Elinor is more prone to reason (Sense), Marianne gives way to her emotions (Sensibility), creating a contrasting depiction of love in a disproportionate society.
The duplication of events in such a polarizing way highlights incredible writing by Jane Austen, especially admirable as this is believed to be her debut adult fiction. The characters too are fleshed out and understandable, even when written in another century! While some may find it slow, Sense and Sensibility is an incredibly smart book, I cannot wait to continue into Jane Austen’s literary catalog, with Persuasion up next!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Infidelity, Adult/minor relationship, and Misogyny
Moderate: Death
Minor: Pregnancy