Jane Austen discussion

I really liked this book. The different relationships which are explored throughout - mother daughter, sister sister etc.
It is in a way almost P&P as if mr Bennet had died and this is interesting to see.
Not so keen on Ferrars and Lucy Steele is intolerable but I do like Brandon - his background and his friendship and kindness towards Elinor is great.
Strongly dislike Willoughby and nothing he does can make me forgive him - when he went to apologise the Elinor I still didn't pity him :)
Overall a great read and highly recommend :)

This book was not my favorite. For some reason, I didn't like either of the guys in it. Edward was too backward, and Col. Brandon just didn't do anything for me. The only character I really liked was Elinor. (although I liked how Marianne changed in the end)
The best thing about this book was the way Austen wrote the last 3 or 4 chapters. I can't recall exactly how she puts it, but I liked that Marianne didn't fall in love with the Col. at the drop of a hat. It took a while. Also, I liked that Willoughby didn't 'die of a broken heart' or 'retreat from society'. He lived his life of pleasure, but always regretted his decision and envied the Colonel. I thought that that was a really good way to end it. She made it realistic.
(I agree with you Soph, I didn't feel sorry for Willoughby when he apologized to Elinor and I was a little disappointed when she did.)

I agree about Ferrars. But I liked the Colonel (reading Colonel Brandon's Diary at the moment and creating a whole new side to him and making he much more appealing!!)
And the ending was great. Her books are realistic really, in many cases or situations within the novels.

I read the first chapter and I am coming back for more.
Any suggestions for movies???

The BBC mini-series is really good. I liked Emma Thompson as Elinor in her version. It was pretty good except I didn't like Hugh Grant as Edward. I liked the guy that did Willoughby in that one. He was charming yet despicable. (and nice looking.)

Steph, I think you will have a whole new view on Brandon when reading his diary - I have!! You see his past with Eliza!! And you really see more about him making him a stronger more prominent character!!
Defo the BBC mini series (2008) so good!!
The 1995 is also good but agree about Grant as Edward , not right!! But still worth watching!!

Soph wrote: "Steph, I think you will have a whole new view on Brandon when reading his diary - I have!! You see his past with Eliza!! And you really see more about him making him a stronger more prominent chara..."

Sophie, you act as if we weren't buddies. What's wrong? what did I do to make you forget me so quickly??? More importantly, we haven't talked since like forever.

I told you my recommendations :) nothing is wrong. :) I have been busy, that is all :) it is summer after all. I am going away (poss no Internet) on Saturday for a week btw. I will message you tomorrow (it is 2am here so need to sleep ;) ) <3

Thanks Sophie. It means a lot that you still recall me and my name.

BACK TO SENSE AND SENSIBILITY!!

I hope you enjoy the series and films we have suggested, and let me know how the book goes :)

I'll be sure to post what I think and feel about it.

He has jumped up my hero list and I now really love him!! Wonderful diary and so far one of my favs!!

I am currently reading a book called All Roads Lead to Austen. This is a quote from the book that I thought was kind of interesting and puts a different perspective on the Marianne & Brandon's relationship.

"A student in the United States once told me that this match seems like Austen's punishment for Marianne," I said. "She's got to marry the old guy for causing so much trouble."

That is interesting! I think that Marianne's feelings for W are very much the intense, passionate, irrational feelings that many teens feel... but then she matures over time and grows to love B in a different way, but just as strongly...

Stephanie wrote: "I am currently reading a book called All Roads Lead to Austen. This is a quote from the book that I thought was kind of interesting and puts a different perspective on the Marianne & Brandon's rel..."

interesting... but he isn't an old man! 35... haha but interesting take i guess.

Sarah Louise wrote: "That is interesting! I think that Marianne's feelings for W are very much the intense, passionate, irrational feelings that many teens feel... but then she matures over time and grows to love B in ..."

I agree with you, I think it is a sweet match! and the love for B will be a lot more steady than if she married W.

I agree. They were perfect for each other. He steadied her, which made her more likeable than when she was swooning over that cad, Willoughby.

Couldn't agree more!!

Anne wrote: "This book was not my favorite. For some reason, I didn't like either of the guys in it. Edward was too backward, and Col. Brandon just didn't do anything for me. The only character I really liked w..."

I agree with both you and Soph! (on basically everything you've said :D) I never felt any sympathy for Willoughby, more just disdain really. I felt like saying - "just get out of the house, you idiot, and stop trying to ruin peoples lives." Still, Anne, how could you not like Colonel Brandon?

P.S. I laughed when you called Willoughby a cad, so true! Agree with what you said in that statement too :).

haha he had no right to go and try and apologise! it was TOO LATE!

I really really like this novel. It was the first novel I read by Jane Austen. I like the use of the weather, to set the tone for drama. You know what I like Willoughby, though I was severely disappointed when he jolted Marianne. He just went and spoil everything for me, darn you Willoughby. I like Elinor, although sometimes I wish she would lightened up. I must say I am glad I do not live in the times when a man's estate had to go to a male heir alone. How dare you Dashwood's wife, geeez, they are his family.

Marren wrote: "I really really like this novel. It was the first novel I read by Jane Austen. I like the use of the weather, to set the tone for drama. You know what I like Willoughby, though I was severely disap..."

:) How could you like Willoughby? I always preferred Colonel Brandon, personally - far more sensible and far more kind, in my view. Willoughby just reminds me of all the silly, immature guys at my school.
If I was Marianne, Sense and Sensibility would have been a very short book... :D

Totally agree with everything else you said though! Absolutely love the novel!

I'm with Becca on the Willoughby argument ;)

But otherwise! Completely agree! Such a great novel!! :D

ha, see I read Sense and Sensibility at the right time. I got the warning but I still fell for a Willougby. Maybe that is why I liked him, smooth mouth and all. The thing is I like Willoughby but I can't stand wicked, oops meant Wickham. Ok, let me stay on topic. I wonder if I am the only person who has an inclination to Willoughby

One of the few...

HAHA!! Wicked does = Wickam!! ;) need a conversation about him....

Marren wrote: "ha, see I read Sense and Sensibility at the right time. I got the warning but I still fell for a Willougby. Maybe that is why I liked him, smooth mouth and all. The thing is I like Willoughby but I..."

Haha, I probably read it at the wrong time - I mean, I've always generally preferred Col. Brandon guys, but I was in the middle of a really big problem with a Willoughby guy, so I was rather dismissive of Willoughby, to be honest. I mean, I was kind of in a far less dramatic and more modern version of Marianne's situation. So yeah, Col. Brandon all the way for me. :)

But no, you are probably not the only person with an inclination to Willoughby.

What a bore life would be, though, if all men were like Col Brandon and none like Willoughby. It makes for more fun to have a little drama and to have your heart broken along the way. You appreciate the Col B when he comes along eventually, for having been through the heartache with the W :)

Sarah Louise wrote: "What a bore life would be, though, if all men were like Col Brandon and none like Willoughby. It makes for more fun to have a little drama and to have your heart broken along the way. You appreciat..."

that is a very good point, they teach you the value of a Brandon, but avoid reacting as badly as Marianne!

Sarah Louise wrote: "What a bore life would be, though, if all men were like Col Brandon and none like Willoughby. It makes for more fun to have a little drama and to have your heart broken along the way. You appreciat..."

Goodness, you make Brandon sound terribly dull and boring! Certainly he is more reserved, perhaps, but he still loves reading and poetry and music and riding - I'm sure life wouldn't be terrible if all men were like Brandon!

I do totally agree with the fact that without the Willoughby we may not fully appreciate the Brandon. :) I do get what you are saying though...perhaps we need some in-between's...:D

I love Brandon, I didn't mean he was dulll at all... but if Marianne had married him right away the story wouldn't have been as enjoyable :)

Sarah Louise wrote: "I love Brandon, I didn't mean he was dulll at all... but if Marianne had married him right away the story wouldn't have been as enjoyable :)"

I suppose that's true. :) And without the story we wouldn't have got to know Brandon better, which would have been a shame!

Exactly :)

I was having this conversation in a message and was interested in others thoughts.
Why did Miss Grey really go for Willoughby? He doesn't have a title and he had no money - she was the one with the money. And they both knew they had no feelings whatsoever for each other. ????

I haven't read Sense and Sensibility in over 10 years, I do not remember the particulars of Miss Grey. I will tackle that book as soon as I can and will definitely engage this question, God willing.

Ok no worries :) I forgot you hadn't read it for a while!!

Soph wrote: "I was having this conversation in a message and was interested in others thoughts.
Why did Miss Grey really go for Willoughby? He doesn't have a title and he had no money - she was the one with th..."

Hmmmmm, good question. Maybe she knew that he was going to inherit Combe Magna, and he didn't tell her that he was going to lose it/she suspected he'd get it back? Either that or perhaps she just wanted a good-looking husband? Much the same way that some men just look for a beautiful woman to have an affair with or marry and they don't care at all about the personality.

Interesting thoughts. Thanks :)

:) Your welcome. Do you think I'm right at all? I may have been reaching a little, I'm interested in your views.

I do agree with the second point about wanting a good looking husband - someone who it looked good to be out and about town with.
And then I did consider the Combe Magna as well - But with that surely she could have found someone with money and with a house - and she had a handsome dowry so surely many would have been after her? Willoughby couldn't have kept his fortune, or lack of, a secret!

Soph wrote: "I do agree with the second point about wanting a good looking husband - someone who it looked good to be out and about town with.
And then I did consider the Combe Magna as well - But with that su..."

I'm glad that you agree with my second point - that was, I thought, the more valid view. The first point I did have the feeling I was reaching very slightly.
Perhaps in the case of Combe Magna, because her dowry was so, erm, extensive? In any case, the point is perhaps if she found some who she liked (if not loved), who was well mannered and good looking to, as you say, be "out and about with", the she may not have cared about her fiancee's lack of fortune.

But didn't Willoughby say neither of them liked each other that much when they married?

Erm... :D Lol, I didn't say that they loved each other, even liked each other all that much - I just meant in the light of how good-looking and generally socially acceptable Willoughby was his personality may have been seen to be, well, acceptable if not likeable.

Oh I see. Sorry! Haha. Yes. A charming husband also may look good in society yes!

:D Nice phrasing.

Trophy husband! Or perhaps she was worried about getting old and being unmarried. But probably trophy husband.

Haha!! Trophy husband idea!!

Lol, Trophy Husband is a brilliant way of putting it. Oh dear, I just got an image of all these husbands with labels lined up on a shelf... :D

HAHA oh dear :(

:D Come on, admit it, along with being quite worrying it's also a rather amusing image. Especially if you take it further and imagine Willoughby on Miss Grey's shelf... :D :D :D