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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
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
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
emotional
lighthearted
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:
Yes
The Dashwoods ... Were women really that feeble?
I get it, it was a different time ... but thankfully I live in THIS time, and apparently have no desire to read about weak women.
This is basically a story about two women, who pine over two men who are not worthy of their attention. Who beg to be accepted after they have already been rejected.
While it is beautifully written, I just did not relate to the characters.
I get it, it was a different time ... but thankfully I live in THIS time, and apparently have no desire to read about weak women.
This is basically a story about two women, who pine over two men who are not worthy of their attention. Who beg to be accepted after they have already been rejected.
While it is beautifully written, I just did not relate to the characters.
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Not as good as P&P, but still enjoyable in its own right. I find Ferrars and Brandon to be less interesting romantic interests, but the main draw of the book for me is the relationship and the character is the two sisters.
Sense embodies Elinor while sensibility embodies Mariannes (not in the strictest sense but still accurate). It's interesting that in the novel Austen seems to favour Elinor's reserved sense, keeping her emotions to herself. I suppose this makes more sense in society at the time - people in general are expected to be more cordial and reserve, while Marianne's often untamed nature can prove to be frowned upon (though these qualities can attract people like colonel Brandon, Willoughby, and me).
Marianne would later learn of her own selfishness, as Elinor reveals her inner struggles and pain, and she's very good at keeping it to herself. If you ask me which sister I like more, I'd definitely say Marianne. But I do think Austen has a good point to make. The virtues of Elinor is indeed attractive in many situations, even in contemporary settings.
Anyways this is my main takeaway from the novel.
Sense embodies Elinor while sensibility embodies Mariannes (not in the strictest sense but still accurate). It's interesting that in the novel Austen seems to favour Elinor's reserved sense, keeping her emotions to herself. I suppose this makes more sense in society at the time - people in general are expected to be more cordial and reserve, while Marianne's often untamed nature can prove to be frowned upon (though these qualities can attract people like colonel Brandon, Willoughby, and me).
Marianne would later learn of her own selfishness, as Elinor reveals her inner struggles and pain, and she's very good at keeping it to herself. If you ask me which sister I like more, I'd definitely say Marianne. But I do think Austen has a good point to make. The virtues of Elinor is indeed attractive in many situations, even in contemporary settings.
Anyways this is my main takeaway from the novel.
SPOILER pero cuando leí que lucy steele se había casado con robert en vez de con edward se me pusieron los ojos como platos y reaccioné hasta en voz alta... jane austen eres perfecta.
me ha gustado bastante y además me hace mucha gracia como escribe jane austen como que a veces leo un diálogo o algo y me doy cuenta de que estoy sonriendo. lo único que no me ha gustado mucho creo que ha sido el final de marianne pero por lo demás muy bien.
me ha gustado bastante y además me hace mucha gracia como escribe jane austen como que a veces leo un diálogo o algo y me doy cuenta de que estoy sonriendo. lo único que no me ha gustado mucho creo que ha sido el final de marianne pero por lo demás muy bien.
slow-paced
I first read this in August 2021 and found it incredibly dull. I think I gave it 2.5*. One of the two romances also features a godawful age gap that I couldn't stand. I tried rereading it last year with Wyn, but we both abandoned it because we found it boring. It is now July 2025, and I've clearly experienced some sort of unexpected character development because I loved it this time. It feels so good to no longer be a hater, especially when prior to this I couldn't even remember what I'd hated about it besides the age gap. The age gap does still suck, but it felt much less prominent than it did the first time around, and for that small mercy I am grateful.
I loved being so intimately acquainted with this neighbourhood and all the families within it. The 'villains' of the book aren't as central to the daily happenings of the story, which allows us to enjoy all the whimsical side characters who are much less detestable. Weirdly, I don't have a favourite character, the way I do with most of her other books; there isn't an Elizabeth and Jane pairing, nor an Anne and Wentworth couple. The cast as a whole is what makes the book what it is. However, in terms of the plot, I was most invested in Elinor's romance, and I would've loved to see more of it, even though that wasn't the 'point' of the book. There is a specific scene between Elinor and Marianne that made me enjoy their sisterhood, but they're still nowhere near Elizabeth and Jane.
I loved being so intimately acquainted with this neighbourhood and all the families within it. The 'villains' of the book aren't as central to the daily happenings of the story, which allows us to enjoy all the whimsical side characters who are much less detestable. Weirdly, I don't have a favourite character, the way I do with most of her other books; there isn't an Elizabeth and Jane pairing, nor an Anne and Wentworth couple. The cast as a whole is what makes the book what it is. However, in terms of the plot, I was most invested in Elinor's romance, and I would've loved to see more of it, even though that wasn't the 'point' of the book. There is a specific scene between Elinor and Marianne that made me enjoy their sisterhood, but they're still nowhere near Elizabeth and Jane.
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Nothing against Austen’s writing- I just find the ending of Sense and Sensibility to be uninspiring and also prescriptive.
I much prefer her other novels.
I much prefer her other novels.
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes