Review: Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

[lantairvlea]

As mentioned previously, I finally succumed to the free trial on Audible and selected a Jane Austen collection with my one free credit. I had eyeballed Game of Thrones, but at this point I know it is full of gratuitous sex and terrible language and if I can help it I avoid such things, I do. There's only so much in-brain editing and page skimming

Comments

[geminiwench]

I've said it before and I'll say it again.
Kingkiller Chronicles by Patrick Rothfuss.

These are literally (literarily?) the most fun books I have **ever** read. Like... PURE PLEASURE. They are written so smoothly, clearly, and the adventure is AMAZING!

[lantairvlea]

I don't think you've mentioned that one before! I'm adding it to my wishlist for future indulgence, thank you!

[geminiwench]

If I didn't mention it to you (knowing that you like fantasy and adventure) then I was remiss... I actually am re-reading "Name of the Wind" (Kingkiller Chronicles part 1) for the 4th time. This is even the 2nd time I've ready it through aloud!

It's... just.... SO GOOD. It has a beautiful cadence for reading aloud smoothly, and its pacing is just... OUT OF THIS WORLD! I think I have 5 books I can think of as "perfect".

"Cat's Cradle" and "Mother Night" by Kurt Vonnegut, "The Sibyl" by Par Lagerkvist, and "Name of the Wind" and "Wise Man's Fear" (books 1 and 2 of the Kingkiller Chronicles) by Patrick Rothfuss. The first three are towering pieces of literary fiction... and the last two are the most playful, fun, and adventurous romps I've ever enjoyed in book-form.

[lantairvlea]

Vonnegut you have previously recommended for sure!

I love playful, fun, adventurous romps! It is definitely on my "list to acquire" now! Maybe I'll get to read a bit more this year.

[madman101]

I loved reading Jane Austin and Brontes, and later went out of my way to watch as many movie/series adaptations I could find. Much to be learnt from these wise darlings. I might have noticed the pronoun problem, too. I do like the verbosity, though. More often than not. I find it common with many other writers of that time. And I find it naive, hopeful, presumptive, expansive, noble, aspiring, time-wasting, vain, boorish - all of these things. At least one learns a few new words from reading it. I regret that people of this present age are so so bad at language!!!! Maybe to the point, but more often missing the point. Leaving a great room where contemplation might have haunted, like an irksome corset one simply must address.

[lantairvlea]

I'm finding "Pride and Prejudice," more engaging and enjoyable, not to say "Sense and Sensibility" was bad, it was still an interesting study of individuals and character, but it doesn't have as many interesting turns as the former.

We do definitely suffer from lack of eloquence and elegance in speech. Often being direct and crass in language and failing to couch one's words to maintain civility. I could use more civil language in my life and it is quite refreshing to be listening to it in the audio book form! I am amused at how my exposure to it colors my preferred turn of phrases and use of the language as well. I write something, look back at it, and think, well isn't that a bit of Ms. Austen's influence!