2025 Reading Challenge discussion

This thread is to discuss Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen.

Pages: 409.

Length: 1 Month (February).

Participants: Lorraine, Caterina, Rebecca, Amanda, Samantha.

Everyone reads at their own pace during a Buddy Read. Because participants can be at different parts of the book at different times, it is extremely important to mark spoilers so that the book is not ruined for someone who is not as far along as others!!!

Mark spoilers by placing {spoiler} before the text and {/spoiler} after the text but use the < and > instead of the { and }.


Happy Buddy Reading!

This is one of the two Austen books I haven't read yet. I'm looking forward to reading this one later in the month!!

This will be a reread for me, but it has been over 10 years since I first read it. Looking forward reading it again!

Hi everyone 👋

I started the book this week and read the first 14 chapters.

The character introductions - (view spoiler)[Are we supposed to like any of these characters? I feel like Elinor is fine so far, but I'm not sure Jane Austen is particularly kind to anyone else. (hide spoiler)]

Colonel Brandon - (view spoiler)[I am so annoyed with the way he's being described. He's at an “advanced state of life” even though he's not even 40... It was obviously a different time, but it's still off-putting to see all this ageism. On the other hand, I don't like that he's supposedly in love with someone half his age. Especially because they have barely interacted so far. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 10 - (view spoiler)[The way that Marianne and Willoughby are mocking Colonel Brandon is not a good look. (hide spoiler)]

Up to chapter 30.

Lucy Steele - (view spoiler)[Why is Lucy telling Elinor about her secret engagement? Did Sir John imply that Elinor and Mr Ferrars had a thing? It seems to me like she should inquire about that instead of burdening Elinor with this secret. It feels like she is slyly staking her claim on Edward. (hide spoiler)]

Marianne- (view spoiler)[Poor Marianne... (hide spoiler)]

Started the book last night. Only 5 chapters read. I like it so far! Will read another 5 chapters before comments.

I have read up to Chapter 27 and so far, I feel that Elinor may be the only likeable character.

Samantha wrote: "I have read up to Chapter 27 and so far, I feel that Elinor may be the only likeable character."

I feel the same way.

I finished the book and I have a lot of thoughts.

I am especially interested in hearing what you all think of ch. 44.

I love that book of Jane Austen. I find it funny and, I would say, a little bit sarcastic. I did not feel any character were very likable even though Elinor and her sister, Marianne are fun to follow. I do agree that both needed more Sense 😊.
Chapter 44: (view spoiler)[ While I was reading that chapter, I was asking myself if I would spend anytime listening to a friend who would have hurt my best friend and brothers’ feelings (having no sisters), the way Willoughby did. The answer is no.
The second thing that struck me in this chapter, is how honest the importance of money in that era is presented by Austen. We get the feeling that money is at the base of many marriage while love is something that could grow on people (even though I feel she is trying to say love is also important).
Finally, is Willoughby a victim of this era or of himself. I think both. It seems still important in that era that the gentleman do not work…but for not to work you need money. I also found funny how she talks about this character vanity and pride…seems she had other books in already in mind! (hide spoiler)]

Lorraine wrote: "I love that book of Jane Austen. I find it funny and, I would say, a little bit sarcastic. I did not feel any character were very likable even though Elinor and her sister, Marianne are fun to foll..."

Lorraine, you make a really great point about money. We learn so much about money in this chapter and throughout the book. I remember I had to read the first chapter twice to better understand all the money issues discussed. Out of all of Jane Austen's book, this is the one where she goes into detail about money, inheritances, and living wages. It was really fascinating to read.

Willoughby - (view spoiler)[Elinor is more forgiving that I could ever be towards Willoughby. I would also not have entertained his explanation. The whole redeeming Willoughby at the expense of his wife was not to my liking, considering that his wife is also a victim of his behavior. And she will be for the rest of her life now that he has her money and she has no power over him. I think that Austen needs to pity her more than villainize her.

I also don't think Willoughby should to be redeemed. It's interesting to consider whether he is a victim of the time he lives in and his need for money, but he knew all this before playing with Marianne's (and her family's) feelings. And when he realized what he had done, he didn't have the courage to tell her. Willoughby could have told her the truth or even that it was over, but he let Marianne find out in the worst possible way. (hide spoiler)]

Elinor - (view spoiler)[I think she deserves more than someone like Edward. I can't seem to see all the redeeming qualities that she finds in him. I keep thinking about how their entire "courtship," he was engaged to someone else. (hide spoiler)]

I finished the book a few days ago, I did enjoy it but not as much as Northanger Abbey.

My favorite quotes, "Know your own happiness." and "It is not what we think or feel that makes us who we are. It is what we do. Or fail to do."

(view spoiler)[ As for Chapter 44, I am surprised Elinor heard Willoughby out the way that she did. Most likely if someone had treated my sister that way I would have told him to never come around again and slammed the door in his face. While I understand money played a role in marriage prospects in that day, it was not right that way he played with Marianne's feelings like he did. I agree with Caterina that Elinor deserved more than Edward. I would always feel like his second choice and could not trust his feelings were true. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]