Book Review: Sense & Sensibility - Jane Austen
This review seems quite timely given the meme that has recently been seen.
Synopsis:
Marianne Dashwood wears her heart on her sleeve, and when she falls in love with the dashing but unsuitable John Willoughby she ignores her sister Elinor's warning that her impulsive behaviour leaves her open to gossip and innuendo. Meanwhile Elinor, always sensitive to social convention, is struggling to conceal her own romantic disappointment, even from those closest to her. Through their parallel experience of love - and its threatened loss - the sisters learn that sense must mix with sensibility if they are to find personal happiness in a society where status and money govern the rules of love.
Review:
I approach those books classed as classics with a little trepidation. Often the language is a little strange and hard going, this can lead to it being hard work to get through the pages. The storyline can be a little slow and contain too much romance. I've contended that it's better to watch a film/TV version first so at least I can follow the plot.
So it came as a surprise to find this so easy to read and a great page turner. I really enjoyed reading about the Dashwoods, their cousins, the beauxs. Each character had a different personality, from weak willed John to dastardly Willoughby. I enjoyed this far better than Pride & Prejudice (and I had seen a version of that). My one niggle is Margaret, was there a necessity to mention her at all?
Synopsis:
Marianne Dashwood wears her heart on her sleeve, and when she falls in love with the dashing but unsuitable John Willoughby she ignores her sister Elinor's warning that her impulsive behaviour leaves her open to gossip and innuendo. Meanwhile Elinor, always sensitive to social convention, is struggling to conceal her own romantic disappointment, even from those closest to her. Through their parallel experience of love - and its threatened loss - the sisters learn that sense must mix with sensibility if they are to find personal happiness in a society where status and money govern the rules of love.
Review:
I approach those books classed as classics with a little trepidation. Often the language is a little strange and hard going, this can lead to it being hard work to get through the pages. The storyline can be a little slow and contain too much romance. I've contended that it's better to watch a film/TV version first so at least I can follow the plot.
So it came as a surprise to find this so easy to read and a great page turner. I really enjoyed reading about the Dashwoods, their cousins, the beauxs. Each character had a different personality, from weak willed John to dastardly Willoughby. I enjoyed this far better than Pride & Prejudice (and I had seen a version of that). My one niggle is Margaret, was there a necessity to mention her at all?