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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
2nd time read - I stand by that this is the most depressing Jane Austen novels. Each of the characters go through so much conflict and turmoil that is just heartbreaking. It was interesting re-reading this one because I’ve been so accustomed to Jane Austen’s romance writing, I’d forgotten how much this one is more drama than romance. It’s really a story of two sisters learning how to approach life with both sense and sensibility. Marianne’s speech to Elinor towards to the end really moved me because it was truly a love letter from sister to sister.
Making a note that I’m about to read this a second time and want to have it marked that it’s a second time. However, I don’t remember exactly when I read it a first time, so I’m just putting in bogus dates.
Making a note that I’m about to read this a second time and want to have it marked that it’s a second time. However, I don’t remember exactly when I read it a first time, so I’m just putting in bogus dates.
emotional
reflective
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
I really loved the focus of familial relationships, specifically those between sisters. Obviously romance is still a fore-front theme as well, but holy crap was it a journey. There was some twists I really wasn't expecting and once I got through volume 1 I blazed through this.
such drama! also funnier than i thought it would be
For a Victorian novel, Sense and Sensibility was pretty fast-paced. The depiction of family dynamics was one of the highlights for sure--it was easy to occasionally relate to both Marianne and Elinor, who are supposed to represent opposite ends of the emotional spectrum. I thought there were a lot of moments that felt like a heartwarming depiction of just the general human experience. Usually with old romances, the male leads have me snoozing--too noble and good (boring). But here, we get a little depth and some big drama!! I can't really describe what's keeping me from a five-star rating, but I think my reading level is a little too low to be able to kick back and breeze through an older book like this, which may have contributed to my occasional boredom in some chapters.
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was a pleasant surprise. Sure, 'Sense and Sensibility' is romantic novel, ending in marriage, like the most ordinary rom-com, but the book is easily elevated by Austen's sharp pen. The novel is told in short chapters, many of which cleverly ending with a cliffhanger. And although the novel displays the intricate writing style of the early 19th century, within that context Austen is an engaging and accessible writer. What's more, she shows to be an excellent observer of human behavior, and even minor characters, like Mr. Palmer, come alive from the pages.
But the best property of Austen's writing style is her dry wit that underpins many of the situations described. At times, Austen is genuinely funny, for example when in chapter XXI she describes how the Dashwoods have to tolerate some horrible children.
Moreover, 'Sense and Sensibility' is not only a romance, but a subtle indictment of the plight of women at the time, who at the time actually needed a man more than they wanted to. Sure, 'Sense and Sensibility' is about the British upper-class, and the contemporary reader raises some eyebrows when Austen talks about the Dashwood's poverty, while telling us they could afford (only) two servants. Moreover, apart from one servant in a key scene, the lower classes play no role at all in this novel. 'Sense and Sensibility' clearly is about Austen's own world and written for readers in the same class. But Austen does show that the liberties of even upper-class women were limited. At the same time, it's surprising how nicely Austen portrays her male characters, compared to the female ones.
The novel partly revolves around the difference between the controlled, well-behaved Elinor, and her more romantic, more impulsive and inhibited younger sister Marianne. But this is Elinor's novel, really, as we watch practically all action from her eyes, and Austen most probably put a lot of herself into the character. Indeed, it's Elinor's suffering, not Marianne's, that forms the heart of the novel, and which keeps the novel exciting until the very end. The novel's ending may be a little forced and a little rushed, compared to the long build-up that preceded it, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel from start to end, and I can clearly see why this is such a classic.
But the best property of Austen's writing style is her dry wit that underpins many of the situations described. At times, Austen is genuinely funny, for example when in chapter XXI she describes how the Dashwoods have to tolerate some horrible children.
Moreover, 'Sense and Sensibility' is not only a romance, but a subtle indictment of the plight of women at the time, who at the time actually needed a man more than they wanted to. Sure, 'Sense and Sensibility' is about the British upper-class, and the contemporary reader raises some eyebrows when Austen talks about the Dashwood's poverty, while telling us they could afford (only) two servants. Moreover, apart from one servant in a key scene, the lower classes play no role at all in this novel. 'Sense and Sensibility' clearly is about Austen's own world and written for readers in the same class. But Austen does show that the liberties of even upper-class women were limited. At the same time, it's surprising how nicely Austen portrays her male characters, compared to the female ones.
The novel partly revolves around the difference between the controlled, well-behaved Elinor, and her more romantic, more impulsive and inhibited younger sister Marianne. But this is Elinor's novel, really, as we watch practically all action from her eyes, and Austen most probably put a lot of herself into the character. Indeed, it's Elinor's suffering, not Marianne's, that forms the heart of the novel, and which keeps the novel exciting until the very end. The novel's ending may be a little forced and a little rushed, compared to the long build-up that preceded it, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel from start to end, and I can clearly see why this is such a classic.
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes