Sense and Sensibility

by Jane Austen

With a foreword by Hannah Grace, author of Icebreaker and Wildfire

Left destitute after their father’s death, Elinor and Marianne Dashwood must navigate love, marriage and societal expectations to ensure their security and happiness. But romance isn’t easy, and soon Elinor finds her good sense tested by her charming brother-in-law, while Marianne’s romantic sensibility brings her nothing but heartbreak.

To find happiness, both sisters will have to learn to balance sense and sensibility.

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Genres: Classics

Paperback

Published December 15, 1999

About the author

Jane Austen was an English novelist known primarily for her six novels, which implicitly interpret, critique, and comment upon the English landed gentry at the end of the 18th century. Austen's plots often explore the dependence of women on marriage for the pursuit of favourable social standing and economic security. Her works are an implicit critique of the novels of sensibility of the second half of the 18th century and are part of the transition to 19th-century literary realism. Her deft use of social commentary, realism and biting irony have earned her acclaim among critics and scholars.

The anonymously published Sense and Sensibility (1811), Pride and Prejudice (1813), Mansfield Park (1814), and Emma (1816), were a modest success but brought her little fame in her lifetime. She wrote two other novels—Northanger Abbey and Persuasion, both published posthumously in 1817—and began another, eventually titled Sanditon, but died before its completion. She also left behind three volumes of juvenile writings in manuscript, the short epistolary novel Lady Susan, and the unfinished novel The Watsons.
Since her death Austen's novels have rarely been out of print. A significant transition in her reputation occurred in 1833, when they were republished in Richard Bentley's Standard Novels series (illustrated by Ferdinand Pickering and sold as a set). They gradually gained wide acclaim and popular readership. In 1869, fifty-two years after her death, her nephew's publication of A Memoir of Jane Austen introduced a compelling version of her writing career and supposedly uneventful life to an eager audience. Her work has inspired a large number of critical essays and has been included in many literary anthologies. Her novels have also inspired many films, including 1940's Pride and Prejudice, 1995's Sense and Sensibility and 2016's Love & Friendship.

Reviews

[Summer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoy the CONCEPT of Jane Austen, in that every movie I have seen of her novels I adore, but reading her is an entirely different sphere. I could barely make sense of what was going on tbh, but what I could make sense of had beautiful writing and emotion in it (which is why I'm being nice and giving it 2 stars). It just felt like big word after big word and filler after filler that felt like deciphering the Riddler's puzzles from "The Batman"

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eu li em português. só que não achei exato esse em português aq no app.

MT BOM ESSE LIVRO. É infanto juvenil. MAS É BOMMM

[Gaele · Rating 4 out of 5]

A reworking of a classic story that focuses on the plight of two sisters after the untimely death of their father and protector, Cerise DeLand manages to maintain the integrity of the original novel as she expands and brings us a far more steamy version of the original.

No, Austen didn’t have the story wrong for her time: her characters of Elinor and Marianne Dashwood are completely of their time, yet surprisingly created with traits that are ‘less favorable’ for the era in which they live. Highly intelligent, imaginative and resourceful, these young ladies dream of being swept off their feet by a man who will both provide for them, and love them as they are. DeLand takes these flirtations into the realm of the scandalous as these two women, in their own way, explore their more sensual and sexual sides.

Elinor is the eldest, far more flamboyant and outspoken in her real life, her fantasies all surround the quiet and respectful Edward. She longs to experience some of the heart-flutteringly sensations that Marianne is on about in her relationship with John Willoughby, yet Edward remains, true to the time, unstintingly reserved.

Marianne is a bit more flighty, and takes to the unabashed flirtations and advances from Willoughby as a duck would to water. Tired of her sister’s extolling the virtues of a man she sees as solid and boring, Marianne is not interested in the quiet and constant interest from Colonel Brandon, but is she destined for heartbreak or ruin with her profligate ways?

There is difficulty in comparing the two stories, without taking from the obvious talent and cleverness of DeLand’s writing and plotting. In what would have been shamefully scandalous behavior from either of these women in their own time, the cleverness of the character’s curiosity and openness in their discussions, and the readily apparent enjoyment in the steamier scenes brings a solidity to these characters that keeps this version separate from, yet wholly informed by the original.

Diehard fans of the original Austen, my second favorite by that author, will not find great lapses in character, in fact, this retelling of their story with additional more modern elements is an interesting read that adds new perspective and modernizes the original for new readers.

I received an eBook copy from the publisher for purpose of honest review for the Jeep Diva. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

[writer... · Rating 2 out of 5]

An audio cd of S&S read by Cherry Gilchrist
w/ Level 3 paperback adaptation of JA's original edited by Andy Hopkins & Jocelyn Potter.
Illustrated w/ sketches throughout and including activities, discussion questions and word list for level 3 readers considered pre-intermediate.

A good introduction to younger readers/listeners gives the story in understandable language and clearly enunciated dialogue on the audio.

A bit too many changes eg - finding Marianne crying when Mrs Dashwood and daughters return from a 'visit' when in fact it had been preplanned by Willoughby who had come to call on Marianne for an important meeting whilst they would be attending church, etc

Not the accuracy and story I anticipated for my purpose of participation in Austen in August 2012. Yet perfectly suited for it's intended audience I'm sure.

[Blake O’Donnell · Rating 1 out of 5]

Worst Austen novel.

[Nein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short summary. if you don't want to read the full book, you can try it. Not satisfying, as it doesn't delve deeper.