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A review by jmacsr
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
4.0
3.5 stars. Goodreads doesn’t allow half stars so I rounded up.
Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility is a sharp, often witty critique of the hypocrisies and rigid expectations of high society, particularly in its treatment of love, marriage, and women’s financial dependence. Through the contrasting sisters Elinor and Marianne Dashwood, Austen exposes the emotional and social cost of decorum and romantic idealism in a world where marriage is more transaction than union. Her prose is elegant and observant, and her dialogue sparkles with irony, making the injustices of the era all the more biting. However, while the setup is rich with potential and the middle filled with insight, I found the conclusion somewhat unsatisfying. The resolution feels too tidy, and certain characters receive outcomes that seem unearned or inconsistent with their earlier arcs. Still, the novel is a remarkable early work of social commentary, even if its ending doesn’t quite match the daring tone of its critique.
Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility is a sharp, often witty critique of the hypocrisies and rigid expectations of high society, particularly in its treatment of love, marriage, and women’s financial dependence. Through the contrasting sisters Elinor and Marianne Dashwood, Austen exposes the emotional and social cost of decorum and romantic idealism in a world where marriage is more transaction than union. Her prose is elegant and observant, and her dialogue sparkles with irony, making the injustices of the era all the more biting. However, while the setup is rich with potential and the middle filled with insight, I found the conclusion somewhat unsatisfying. The resolution feels too tidy, and certain characters receive outcomes that seem unearned or inconsistent with their earlier arcs. Still, the novel is a remarkable early work of social commentary, even if its ending doesn’t quite match the daring tone of its critique.