A review by doriastories
Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters by Jane Austen, Ben H. Winters

4.0

A very fun read, almost as good as "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies." Yet somehow the ending left me with the feeling that something was lacking. Apocalyptic visions of leviathan-induced destruction are all very well, but really, how does this connect to, or inform, the fundamental problem of how to bag a man? Plus, I found the whole sea witch angle rather weak, and not well thought out. Too much of a rabbit out of the hat trick to feel like an authentic part of the narrative, whereas the recurring motif of flesh-hungry octopi I found to be both dramatically effective and seamlessly integrated into the story line. Sub-Marine Station Beta was also a fun concept, that worked quite well, menaced from within and without by both questionable morality and man-hungry aquatic life.

My favorite part of the book, oddly enough, was probably the Reader's Discussion Guide at the end, in particular, question #6, which follows:

It would be too easy to attribute Marianne's disinterest in Colonel Brandon merely to the fact that she is smitten with Willoughby. Does she overlook the steadfast and wise Brandon as a suitor primarily because of his age? Because he has been "attached" before? Or because of the unspeakable, writhing carnival mask of his lower face?

I recommend reading this book over sushi lunch!