SENSE & SENSIBILITY (Illustrated Edition)

By Jane Austen

Jane Austen's 'Sense and Sensibility' is a classic novel that explores the themes of love, family, and societal expectations. Set in Regency England, this novel follows the Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne, as they navigate the pitfalls of relationships and social conventions. Austen's witty and satirical style adds depth to the characters and the plot, making it a timeless piece of literature that continues to resonate with readers today. The illustrated edition enhances the reading experience by providing visual elements that bring the story to life. Austen's adept use of language and keen understanding of human nature make 'Sense and Sensibility' a must-read for any fan of literature or historical fiction. Her ability to blend humor with insightful social commentary makes this novel a masterpiece of the period. Fans of romance, wit, and keen observations of society will find this book both entertaining and thought-provoking.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Musaicum Books
• Release date: Dec 6, 2017
• ISBN: 9788027233403

Jane Austen

Born in 1775, Jane Austen published four of her six novels anonymously. Her work was not widely read until the late nineteenth century, and her fame grew from then on. Known for her wit and sharp insight into social conventions, her novels about love, relationships, and society are more popular year after year. She has earned a place in history as one of the most cherished writers of English literature.

Book preview

SENSE AND SENSIBILITY

BY JANE AUSTEN

CHAPTER ONE

The family of Dashwood had long been settled in Sussex. Their estate was large, and their residence was at Norland Park, in the centre of their property, where, for many generations, they had lived in so respectable a manner as to engage the general good opinion of their surrounding acquaintance. The late owner of this estate was a single man, who lived to a very advanced age, and who for many years of his life, had a constant companion and housekeeper in his sister. But her death, which happened ten years before his own, produced a great alteration in his home; for to supply her loss, he invited and received into his house the family of his nephew Mr. Henry Dashwood, the legal inheritor of the Norland estate, and the person to whom he intended to bequeath it. In the society of his nephew and niece, and their children, the old Gentleman’s days were comfortably spent. His attachment to them all increased. The constant attention of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Dashwood to his wishes, which proceeded not merely from interest, but from goodness of heart, gave him every degree of solid comfort which his age could receive; and the cheerfulness of the children added a relish to his existence.

By a former marriage, Mr. Henry Dashwood had one son: by his present lady, three daughters. The son, a steady respectable young man, was amply provided for by the fortune of his mother, which had been large, and half of which devolved on him on his coming of age. By his own marriage, likewise, which happened soon afterwards, he added to his wealth. To him therefore the succession to the Norland estate was not so really important as to his sisters; for their fortune, independent of what might arise to them from their father’s inheriting that property, could be but small. Their mother had nothing, and their father only seven thousand pounds in his own disposal; for the remaining moiety of his first wife’s fortune was also secured to her child, and he had only a life-interest in it.

The old gentleman died: his will was read, and like almost every other will, gave as much disappointment as pleasure. He was neither so unjust, nor so ungrateful, as to leave his estate from his nephew;–but he left it to him on such terms as destroyed half the value of the bequest. Mr. Dashwood had wished for it more for the sake of his wife and daughters than for himself or his son;–but to his son, and his son’s son, a child of four years old, it was secured, in such a way, as to leave to himself no power of providing for those who were most dear to him, and who most needed a provision by any charge on the estate, or by any sale of its valuable woods. The whole was tied up for the benefit of this child, who, in occasional visits with his father and mother at Norland, had so far gained on the affections of his uncle, by such attractions as are by no means unusual in children of two or three years old; an imperfect articulation, an earnest desire of having his own way, many cunning tricks, and a great deal of noise, as to outweigh all the value of all the attention which, for years, he had received from his niece and her daughters. He meant not to be unkind, however, and, as a mark of his affection for the three girls, he left them a thousand pounds a-piece.

Mr. Dashwood’s disappointment was, at first, severe; but his temper was cheerful and sanguine; and he might reasonably hope to live many years, and by living economically, lay by a considerable sum from the produce of an estate already large, and capable of almost immediate improvement. But the fortune, which had been so tardy in coming, was his only one twelvemonth. He survived his uncle no longer; and ten thousand pounds, including the late legacies, was all that remained for his widow and daughters.

His son was sent for as soon as his danger was known, and to him Mr. Dashwood recommended, with all the strength and urgency which illness could command, the interest of his mother-in-law and sisters.

Mr. John Dashwood had not the strong feelings of the rest of the family; but he was affected by a recommendation of such a nature at such a time, and he promised to do every thing in his power to make them comfortable. His father was rendered easy by such an assurance, and Mr. John Dashwood had then leisure to consider how much there might prudently be in his power to do for them.

He was not an ill-disposed young man, unless to be rather cold hearted and rather selfish is to be ill-disposed: but he was, in general, well respected; for he conducted himself with propriety in the discharge of his ordinary duties. Had he married a more amiable woman, he might have been made still more respectable than he was:–he might even have been made amiable himself; for he was very young when he married, and very fond of his wife. But Mrs. John Dashwood was a strong caricature of himself;–more narrow-minded and selfish.

When he gave his promise to his father, he meditated within himself to increase the fortunes of his sisters by the present of a thousand pounds a-piece. He then really thought himself equal to it. The prospect of four thousand a-year, in addition to his present income, besides the remaining half of his own mother’s fortune, warmed his heart, and made him feel capable of generosity.– Yes, he would give them three thousand pounds: it would be liberal and handsome! It would be enough to make them completely easy. Three thousand pounds! he could spare so considerable a sum with little inconvenience.– He thought of it all day long, and for many days successively, and he did not repent.

No sooner was his father’s funeral over, than Mrs. John Dashwood, without sending any notice of her intention to her mother-in-law, arrived with her child and their attendants. No one could dispute her right to come; the house was her husband’s from the moment of his father’s decease; but the indelicacy of her conduct was so much the greater, and to a woman in Mrs. Dashwood’s situation, with only common feelings, must have been highly unpleasing;–but in HER mind there was a sense of honor so keen, a generosity so romantic, that any offence of the kind, by whomsoever given or received, was to her a source of immovable disgust. Mrs. John Dashwood had never been a favourite with any of her husband’s family; but she had had no opportunity, till the present, of shewing them with how little attention to the comfort of other people she could act when occasion required it.

So acutely did Mrs. Dashwood feel this ungracious behaviour, and so earnestly did she despise her daughter-in-law for it, that, on the arrival of the latter, she would have quitted the house for ever, had not the entreaty of her eldest girl induced her first to reflect on the propriety of going, and her own tender love for all her three children determined her afterwards to stay, and for their sakes avoid a breach with their brother.

Elinor, this eldest daughter, whose advice was so effectual, possessed a strength of understanding, and coolness of judgment, which qualified her, though only nineteen, to be the counsellor of her mother, and enabled her frequently to counteract, to the advantage of them all, that eagerness of mind in Mrs. Dashwood which must generally have led to imprudence. She had an excellent heart;–her disposition was affectionate, and her feelings were strong; but she knew how to govern them: it was a knowledge which her mother had yet to learn; and which one of her sisters had resolved never to be taught.

Marianne’s abilities were, in many respects, quite equal to Elinor’s. She was sensible and clever; but eager in everything: her sorrows, her joys, could have no moderation. She was generous, amiable, interesting: she was everything but prudent. The resemblance between her and her mother was strikingly great.

Elinor saw, with concern, the excess of her sister’s sensibility; but by Mrs. Dashwood it was valued and cherished. They encouraged each other now in the violence of their affliction. The agony of grief which overpowered them at first, was voluntarily renewed, was sought for, was created again and again. They gave themselves up wholly to their sorrow, seeking increase of wretchedness in every reflection that could afford it, and resolved against ever admitting consolation in future. Elinor, too, was deeply afflicted; but still she could struggle, she could exert herself. She could consult with her brother, could receive her sister-in-law on her arrival, and treat her with proper attention; and could strive to rouse her mother to similar exertion, and encourage her to similar forbearance.

Margaret, the other sister, was a good-humored, well-disposed girl; but as she had already imbibed a good deal of Marianne’s romance, without having much of her sense, she did not, at thirteen, bid fair to equal her sisters at a more advanced period of life.

SENSE AND SENSIBILITY

CHAPTER TWO

Mrs. John Dashwood now installed herself mistress of Norland; and her mother and sisters-in-law were degraded to the condition of visitors. As such, however, they were treated by her with quiet civility; and by her husband with as much kindness as he could feel towards anybody beyond himself, his wife, and their child. He really pressed them, with some earnestness, to consider Norland as their home; and, as no plan appeared so eligible to Mrs. Dashwood as remaining there till she could accommodate herself with a house in the neighbourhood, his invitation was accepted.

A continuance in a place where everything reminded her of former delight, was exactly what suited her mind. In seasons of cheerfulness, no temper could be more cheerful than hers, or possess, in a greater degree, that sanguine expectation of happiness which is happiness itself. But in sorrow she must be equally carried away by her fancy, and as far beyond consolation as in pleasure she was beyond alloy.

Mrs. John Dashwood did not at all approve of what her husband intended to do for his sisters. To take three thousand pounds from the fortune of their dear little boy would be impoverishing him to the most dreadful degree. She begged him to think again on the subject. How could he answer it to himself to rob his child, and his only child too, of so large a sum? And what possible claim could the Miss Dashwoods, who were related to him only by half blood, which she considered as no relationship at all, have on his generosity to so large an amount. It was very well known that no affection was ever supposed to exist between the children of any man by different marriages; and why was he to ruin himself, and their poor little Harry, by giving away all his money to his half sisters?

It was my father’s last request to me, replied her husband, that I should assist his widow and daughters.

He did not know what he was talking of, I dare say; ten to one but he was light-headed at the time. Had he been in his right senses, he could not have thought of such a thing as begging you to give away half your fortune from your own child.

He did not stipulate for any particular sum, my dear Fanny; he only requested me, in general terms, to assist them, and make their situation more comfortable than it was in his power to do. Perhaps it would have been as well if he had left it wholly to myself. He could hardly suppose I should neglect them. But as he required the promise, I could not do less than give it; at least I thought so at the time. The promise, therefore, was given, and must be performed. Something must be done for them whenever they leave Norland and settle in a new home.

Well, then, LET something be done for them; but THAT something need not be three thousand pounds. Consider, she added, that when the money is once parted with, it never can return. Your sisters will marry, and it will be gone for ever. If, indeed, it could be restored to our poor little boy–

Why, to be sure, said her husband, very gravely, that would make great difference. The time may come when Harry will regret that so large a sum was parted with. If he should have a numerous family, for instance, it would be a very convenient addition.

To be sure it would.

Perhaps, then, it would be better for all parties, if the sum were diminished one half.–Five hundred pounds would be a prodigious increase to their fortunes!

Oh! beyond anything great! What brother on earth would do half so much for his sisters, even if REALLY his sisters! And as it is–only half blood!–But you have such a generous spirit!

I would not wish to do any thing mean, he replied. One had rather, on such occasions, do too much than too little. No one, at least, can think I have not done enough for them: even themselves, they can hardly expect more.

There is no knowing what THEY may expect, said the lady, but we are not to think of their expectations: the question is, what you can afford to do.

Certainly–and I think I may afford to give them five hundred pounds a-piece. As it is, without any addition of mine, they will each have about three thousand pounds on their mother’s death–a very comfortable fortune for any young woman.

To be sure it is; and, indeed, it strikes me that they can want no addition at all. They will have ten thousand pounds divided amongst them. If they marry, they will be sure of doing well, and if they do not, they may all live very comfortably together on the interest of ten thousand pounds.

That is very true, and, therefore, I do not know whether, upon the whole, it would not be more advisable to do something for their mother while she lives, rather than for them–something of the annuity kind I mean.–My sisters would feel the good effects of it as well as herself. A hundred a year would make them all perfectly comfortable.

His wife hesitated a little, however, in giving her consent to this plan.

To be sure, said she, it is better than parting with fifteen hundred pounds at once. But, then, if Mrs. Dashwood should live fifteen years we shall be completely taken in.

Fifteen years! my dear Fanny; her life cannot be worth half that purchase.

Certainly not; but if you observe, people always live for ever when there is an annuity to be paid them; and she is very stout and healthy, and hardly forty. An annuity is a very serious business; it comes over and over every year, and there is no getting rid of it. You are not aware of what you are doing. I have known a great deal of the trouble of annuities; for my mother was clogged with the payment of three to old superannuated servants by my father’s will, and it is amazing how disagreeable she found it. Twice every year these annuities were to be paid; and then there was the trouble of getting it to them; and then one of them was said to have died, and afterwards it turned out to be no such thing. My mother was quite sick of it. Her income was not her own, she said, with such perpetual claims on it; and it was the more unkind in my father, because, otherwise, the money would have been entirely at my mother’s disposal, without any restriction whatever. It has given me such an abhorrence of annuities, that I am sure I would not pin myself down to the payment of one for all the world.

It is certainly an unpleasant thing, replied Mr. Dashwood, to have those kind of yearly drains on one’s income. One’s fortune, as your mother justly says, is NOT one’s own. To be tied down to the regular payment of such a sum, on every rent day, is by no means desirable: it takes away one’s independence.

Undoubtedly; and after all you have no thanks for it. They think themselves secure, you do no more than what is expected, and it raises no gratitude at all. If I were you, whatever I did should be done at my own discretion entirely. I would not bind myself to allow them any thing yearly. It may be very inconvenient some years to spare a hundred, or even fifty pounds from our own expenses.

I believe you are right, my love; it will be better that there should be no annuity in the case; whatever I may give them occasionally will be of far greater assistance than a yearly allowance, because they would only enlarge their style of living if they felt sure of a larger income, and would not be sixpence the richer for it at the end of the year. It will certainly be much the best way. A present of fifty pounds, now and then, will prevent their ever being distressed for money, and will, I think, be amply discharging my promise to my father.

To be sure it will. Indeed, to say the truth, I am convinced within myself that your father had no idea of your giving them any money at all. The assistance he thought of, I dare say, was only such as might be reasonably expected of you; for instance, such as looking out for a comfortable small house for them, helping them to move their things, and sending them presents of fish and game, and so forth, whenever they are in season. I’ll lay my life that he meant nothing farther; indeed, it would be very strange and unreasonable if he did. Do but consider, my dear Mr. Dashwood, how excessively comfortable your mother-in-law and her daughters may live on the interest of seven thousand pounds, besides the thousand pounds belonging to each of the girls, which brings them in fifty pounds a year a-piece, and, of course, they will pay their mother for their board out of it. Altogether, they will have five hundred a-year amongst them, and what on earth can four women want for more than that?–They will live so cheap! Their housekeeping will be nothing at all. They will have no carriage, no horses, and hardly any servants; they will keep no company, and can have no expenses of any kind! Only conceive how comfortable they will be! Five hundred a year! I am sure I cannot imagine how they will spend half of it; and as to your giving them more, it is quite absurd to think of it. They will be much more able to give YOU something.

Upon my word, said Mr. Dashwood, I believe you are perfectly right. My father certainly could mean nothing more by his request to me than what you say. I clearly understand it now, and I will strictly fulfil my engagement by such acts of assistance and kindness to them as you have described. When my mother removes into another house my services shall be readily given to accommodate her as far as I can. Some little present of furniture too may be acceptable then.

Certainly, returned Mrs. John Dashwood. But, however, ONE thing must be considered. When your father and mother moved to Norland, though the furniture of Stanhill was sold, all the china, plate, and linen was saved, and is now left to your mother. Her house will therefore be almost completely fitted up as soon as she takes it.

That is a material consideration undoubtedly. A valuable legacy indeed! And yet some of the plate would have been a very pleasant addition to our own stock here.

Yes; and the set of breakfast china is twice as handsome as what belongs to this house. A great deal too handsome, in my opinion, for any place THEY can ever afford to live in. But, however, so it is. Your father thought only of THEM. And I must say this: that you owe no particular gratitude to him, nor attention to his wishes; for we very well know that if he could, he would have left almost everything in the world to THEM.

This argument was irresistible. It gave to his intentions whatever of decision was wanting before; and he finally resolved, that it would be absolutely unnecessary, if not highly indecorous, to do more for the widow and children of his father, than such kind of neighbourly acts as his own wife pointed out.

SENSE AND SENSIBILITY

CHAPTER THREE

Mrs. Dashwood remained at Norland several months; not from any disinclination to move when the sight of every well known spot ceased to raise the violent emotion which it produced for a while; for when her spirits began to revive, and her mind became capable of some other exertion than that of heightening its affliction by melancholy remembrances, she was impatient to be gone, and indefatigable in her inquiries for a suitable dwelling in the neighbourhood of Norland; for to remove far from that beloved spot was impossible. But she could hear of no situation that at once answered her notions of comfort and ease, and suited the prudence of her eldest daughter, whose steadier judgment rejected several houses as too large for their income, which her mother would have approved.

Mrs. Dashwood had been informed by her husband of the solemn promise on the part of his son in their favour, which gave comfort to his last earthly reflections. She doubted the sincerity of this assurance no more than he had doubted it himself, and she thought of it for her daughters’ sake with satisfaction, though as for herself she was persuaded that a much smaller provision than 7000L would support her in affluence. For their brother’s sake, too, for the sake of his own heart, she rejoiced; and she reproached herself for being unjust to his merit before, in believing him incapable of generosity. His attentive behaviour to herself and his sisters convinced her that their welfare was dear to him, and, for a long time, she firmly relied on the liberality of his intentions.

The contempt which she had, very early in their acquaintance, felt for her daughter-in-law, was very much increased by the farther knowledge of her character, which half a year’s residence in her family afforded; and perhaps in spite of every consideration of politeness or maternal affection on the side of the former, the two ladies might have found it impossible to have lived together so long, had not a particular circumstance occurred to give still greater eligibility, according to the opinions of Mrs. Dashwood, to her daughters’ continuance at Norland.

This circumstance was a growing attachment between her eldest girl and the brother of Mrs. John Dashwood, a gentlemanlike and pleasing young man, who was introduced to their acquaintance soon after his sister’s establishment at Norland, and who had since spent the greatest part of his time there.

Some mothers might have encouraged the intimacy from motives of interest, for Edward Ferrars was the eldest son of a man who had died very rich; and some might have repressed it from motives of prudence, for, except a trifling sum, the whole of his fortune depended on the will of his mother. But Mrs. Dashwood was alike uninfluenced by either consideration. It was enough for her that he appeared to be amiable, that he loved her daughter, and that Elinor returned the partiality. It was contrary to every doctrine of hers that difference of fortune should keep any couple asunder who were attracted by resemblance of disposition; and that Elinor’s merit should not be acknowledged by every one who knew her, was to her comprehension impossible.

Edward Ferrars was not recommended to their good opinion by any peculiar graces of person or address. He was not handsome, and his manners required intimacy to make them pleasing. He was too diffident to do justice to himself; but when his natural shyness was overcome, his behaviour gave every indication of an open, affectionate heart. His understanding was good, and his education had given it solid improvement. But he was neither fitted by abilities nor disposition to answer the wishes of his mother and sister, who longed to see him distinguished–as–they hardly knew what. They wanted him to make a fine figure in the world in some manner or other. His mother wished to interest him in political concerns, to get him into parliament, or to see him connected with some of the great men of the day. Mrs. John Dashwood wished it likewise; but in the mean while, till one of these superior blessings could be attained, it would have quieted her ambition to see him driving a barouche. But Edward had no turn for great men or barouches. All his wishes centered in domestic comfort and the quiet of private life. Fortunately he had a younger brother who was more promising.

Edward had been staying several weeks in the house before he engaged much of Mrs. Dashwood’s attention; for she was, at that time, in such affliction as rendered her careless of surrounding objects. She saw only that he was quiet and unobtrusive, and she liked him for it. He did not disturb the wretchedness of her mind by ill-timed conversation. She was first called to observe and approve him farther, by a reflection which Elinor chanced one day to make on the difference between him and his sister. It was a contrast which recommended him most forcibly to her mother.

It is enough, said she; to say that he is unlike Fanny is enough. It implies everything amiable. I love him already.

I think you will like him, said Elinor, when you know more of him.

Like him! replied her mother with a smile. I feel no sentiment of approbation inferior to love.

You may esteem him.

I have never yet known what it was to separate esteem and love.

Mrs. Dashwood now took pains to get acquainted with him. Her manners were attaching, and soon banished his reserve. She speedily comprehended all his merits; the persuasion of his regard for Elinor perhaps assisted her penetration; but she really felt assured of his worth: and even that quietness of manner, which militated against all her established ideas of what a young man’s address ought to be, was no longer uninteresting when she knew his heart to be warm and his temper affectionate.

No sooner did she perceive any symptom of love in his behaviour to Elinor, than she considered their serious attachment as certain, and looked forward to their marriage as rapidly approaching.

In a few months, my dear Marianne. said she, Elinor will, in all probability be settled for life. We shall miss her; but SHE will be happy.

Oh! Mama, how shall we do without her?

My love, it will be scarcely a separation. We shall live within a few miles of each other, and shall meet every day of our lives. You will gain a brother, a real, affectionate brother. I have the highest opinion in the world of Edward’s heart. But you look grave, Marianne; do you disapprove your sister’s choice?

Perhaps, said Marianne, I may consider it with some surprise. Edward is very amiable, and I love him tenderly. But yet–he is not the kind of young man–there is something wanting–his figure is not striking; it has none of that grace which I should expect in the man who could seriously attach my sister. His eyes want all that spirit, that fire, which at once announce virtue and intelligence. And besides all this, I am afraid, Mama, he has no real taste. Music seems scarcely to attract him, and though he admires Elinor’s drawings very much, it is not the admiration of a person who can understand their worth. It is evident, in spite of his frequent attention to her while she draws, that in fact he knows nothing of the matter. He admires as a lover, not as a connoisseur. To satisfy me, those characters must be united. I could not be happy with a man whose taste did not in every point coincide with my own. He must enter into all my feelings; the same books, the same music must charm us both. Oh! mama, how spiritless, how tame was Edward’s manner in reading to us last night! I felt for my sister most severely. Yet she bore it with so much composure, she seemed scarcely to notice it. I could hardly keep my seat. To hear those beautiful lines which have frequently almost driven me wild, pronounced with such impenetrable calmness, such dreadful indifference!– He would certainly have done more justice to simple and elegant prose. I thought so at the time; but you WOULD give him Cowper.

Nay, Mama, if he is not to be animated by Cowper!–but we must allow for difference of taste. Elinor has not my feelings, and therefore she may overlook it, and be happy with him. But it would have broke MY heart, had I loved him, to hear him read with so little sensibility. Mama, the more I know of the world, the more am I convinced that I shall never see a man whom I can really love. I require so much! He must have all Edward’s virtues, and his person and manners must ornament his goodness with every possible charm.

Remember, my love, that you are not seventeen. It is yet too early in life to despair of such a happiness. Why should you be less fortunate than your mother? In one circumstance only, my Marianne, may your destiny be different from hers!

SENSE AND SENSIBILITY

CHAPTER FOUR

What a pity it is, Elinor, said Marianne, that Edward should have no taste for drawing.

No taste for drawing! replied Elinor, why should you think so? He does not draw himself, indeed, but he has great pleasure in seeing the performances of other people, and I assure you he is by no means deficient in natural taste, though he has not had opportunities of improving it. Had he ever been in the way of learning, I think he would have drawn very well. He distrusts his own judgment in such matters so much, that he is always unwilling to give his opinion on any picture; but he has an innate propriety and simplicity of taste, which in general direct him perfectly right.

Marianne was afraid of offending, and said no more on the subject; but the kind of approbation which Elinor described as excited in him by the drawings of other people, was very far from that rapturous delight, which, in her opinion, could alone be called taste. Yet, though smiling within herself at the mistake, she honoured her sister for that blind partiality to Edward which produced it.

I hope, Marianne, continued Elinor, you do not consider him as deficient in general taste. Indeed, I think I may say that you cannot, for your behaviour to him is perfectly cordial, and if THAT were your opinion, I am sure you could never be civil to him.

Marianne hardly knew what to say. She would not wound the feelings of her sister on any account, and yet to say what she did not believe was impossible. At length she replied:

Do not be offended, Elinor, if my praise of him is not in every thing equal to your sense of his merits. I have not had so many opportunities of estimating the minuter propensities of his mind, his inclinations and tastes, as you have; but I have the highest opinion in the world of his goodness and sense. I think him every thing that is worthy and amiable.

I am sure, replied Elinor, with a smile, that his dearest friends could not be dissatisfied with such commendation as that. I do not perceive how you could express yourself more warmly.

Marianne was rejoiced to find her sister so easily pleased.

Of his sense and his goodness, continued Elinor, no one can, I think, be in doubt, who has seen him often enough to engage him in unreserved conversation. The excellence of his understanding and his principles can be concealed only by that shyness which too often keeps him silent. You know enough of him to do justice to his solid worth. But of his minuter propensities, as you call them you have from peculiar circumstances been kept more ignorant than myself. He and I have been at times thrown a good deal together, while you have been wholly engrossed on the most affectionate principle by my mother. I have seen a great deal of him, have studied his sentiments and heard his opinion on subjects of literature and taste; and, upon the whole, I venture to pronounce that his mind is well-informed, enjoyment of books exceedingly great, his imagination lively, his observation just and correct, and his taste delicate and pure. His abilities in every respect improve as much upon acquaintance as his manners and person. At first sight, his address is certainly not striking; and his person can hardly be called handsome, till the expression of his eyes, which are uncommonly good, and the general sweetness of his countenance, is perceived. At present, I know him so well, that I think him really handsome; or at least, almost so. What say you, Marianne?

I shall very soon think him handsome, Elinor, if I do not now. When you tell me to love him as a brother, I shall no more see imperfection in his face, than I now do in his heart.

Elinor started at this declaration, and was sorry for the warmth she had been betrayed into, in speaking of him. She felt that Edward stood very high in her opinion. She believed the regard to be mutual; but she required greater certainty of it to make Marianne’s conviction of their attachment agreeable to her. She knew that what Marianne and her mother conjectured one moment, they believed the next–that with them, to wish was to hope, and to hope was to expect. She tried to explain the real state of the case to her sister.

I do not attempt to deny, said she, that I think very highly of him–that I greatly esteem, that I like him.

Marianne here burst forth with indignation–

Esteem him! Like him! Cold-hearted Elinor! Oh! worse than cold-hearted! Ashamed of being otherwise. Use those words again, and I will leave the room this moment.

Elinor could not help laughing. Excuse me, said she; "and be assured that I meant no offence to you, by speaking, in so quiet a way, of my own feelings. Believe them to be stronger than I have declared; believe them, in short, to be such as his merit, and the suspicion–the hope of his affection for me may warrant, without imprudence or folly. But farther than this you must not believe. I am by no means assured

Reviews for SENSE & SENSIBILITY (Illustrated Edition)

[scottcholstad · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

My absolute favorite Austen novel! Yet somehow it's typically been overlooked for other, more famous, novels of hers, including in the classroom, which I think is a shame. This is a delightful work, and it is both representative of that era and shows off her talent quite well, IMO. If you've read anything of hers, but not this, and if you like any of it, please try this one out! Recommended.

[anja_martinez-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The first time I read this book, I was about the youthful main character's age. Now I'm older than Jane Austen was when she died, and the book is, if anything, better than when I first read it. At least, I think I can find more meaning in it now than I could then. I can see that Elinor is so admirable in the stoic way she deals with heartbreak and disappointment, but Marianne's more open nature, although it seems more selfish, helps her to make meaningful relationships and to grow as a person throughout the story. Each character reflects on another's personality and actions, for good and for bad. For example, Willoughby, who could so easily just be a villain, is charming, warm, intelligent- a potentially wonderful person who has weaknesses more than maliciousness. His nature is mirrored by Edward, who makes the strong choice standing by Lucy, according to his code of conduct, even if it means being disinherited, homeless, and broke. I didn't see this before when I read this book, and it makes me feel like I've grown as a person to see it now. This book kind of reminds me of the Mister Rogers biography I read earlier. It's a good feeling that I've grown as a person reading Austen's great novels. Sense and Sensibility could be my favorite of them, too.

[susanbevans · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Sense and Sensibility is my first Jane Austen book. I received the new Kindle 2 as a gift from my husband last week, and quickly discovered some excellent websites which allowed me to download all of Jane Austen's novels for free! I decided to start with Sense and Sensibility, as it is one of the books I had planned to read as part of the 1% Well-Read Challenge this year.After reading Sense and Sensibility, I feel thoroughly initiated into the charming world of Jane Austen. Published almost 200 years ago, the title refers to practical and discreet Elinor Dashwood, and her younger sister, bold and extroverted Marianne. After the death of their beloved father, the Dashwoods - mother Mrs. Dashwood, Elinor, Marianne, and youngest daughter Margaret - must move from their home, to a small cottage owned by Mrs. Dashwood's generous cousin Sir John Middleton. Although their brother John Dashwood and his disagreeable wife Fanny have taken over the family estate at Norland and left the Dashwoods particularly financially pinched, they are very grateful to Sir John and Lady Middleton, and accept their new circumstances humbly.Elinor and Marianne, though wildly different in their approaches to life, are completely genuine and intelligent - and the young men around recognize them for their sincerity of character. Elinor falls in love with the reserved, socially awkward Edward Ferras, while Marianne's affection is extended to the adventurous hunter John Willoughby. Unfortunately, love and marriage don't come easily, as affections aren't always returned and money and social standing sometimes take precedence over true love. Sense and Sensibility is full of lovable and obnoxious characters: talkative Mrs. Jennings, who constantly jumps to the wrong conclusions about situations she knows nothing about; Charlotte Palmer, Mrs. Jenning's empty-headed and inappropriate younger daughter; and bad-tempered Mrs. Ferras and her hostile, social-climbing daughter Fanny. The development of the characters alone, make this an exceptionally entertaining read. There was something very comforting and diverting about reading Sense and Sensibility. Though simple in scale, it sparkles with wit, and is an exceedingly engrossing read. Sense and Sensibility is a timeless piece of literature with a significance that resounds even today. I was entertained from beginning to end, and I highly recommend taking a stroll through a century past, by reading Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility.

[wordsampersand · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

3.75 stars. This feels like a trial-run for later books.

[griffin22 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Love this book! The quartet of Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Emma, and Persuasion are up there with my all-time favourite books of any age or genre. And the movie was good too, although I always find Emma Thompson in a young romantic role quite jarring - she always looks too old for the part (here a 36 year old playing a 19 year old).

[jguidry-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed reading about the romantic entanglements of the two sisters. I also enjoyed reading about their interactions with other characters. But, I mostly enjoyed reading about the relationship between the two sisters. They stuck by each other no matter what, and I enjoyed their story.

[stephlaymon · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I am thankful that I didn't pick this, Sense and Sensibility, as my first Jane Austen book, otherwise I might have never known the love that I have for Pride and Prejudice. While Sense and Sensibility is a splendid story about love and class, it contains the most annoying characters of all time. Honestly, I didn't care for a single one other than Elinor.

[askelmore · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Best for: Anyone interested in getting swept up in a bit of period drama.In a nutshell: Two sisters deal with the loss of their father and the change in lifestyle that follows, while trying to sort out their love lives.Worth quoting:“I am afraid that the pleasantness of an employment does not always evince its propriety.”Why I chose it: The cover, honestly. This lovely cloth cover drew my attention in a bookshop a few weeks ago, and I figured why not finally pick it up.Review:The book was originally published over 200 years ago, but just the same … SPOILERS!I claim on Good Reads to have read Pride and Prejudice, but I don’t think I have (odd, I know, and I’ll be correcting that). The cover of the film version of Sense and Sensibility has flashed on Netflix as I’ve skimmed through options over the years, but I’ve never watched it (until now - it’s playing as I write this review*). I share that only to say that because of that, I had Emma Thompson in my mind as I read Elinor, and Kate Winslet as I read Marianne. But I didn’t know the rest of the cast, so luckily my imagination was able to fill in the rest of the characters.It took me a little bit to get into this; I don’t read fiction often, and I read fiction from the 19th century even less often, so the writing took me some time to adjust to. That said, by about fifty pages in, I was engrossed. Unfortunately, because I wasn’t entirely understanding what I was reading (beyond picking up that Franny Dashwood is a conniving snot and her husband is a wimp), the whole Edward-Elinor pairing completely slipped my mind. When he was mentioned again much later on (as his engagement is revealed by Lucy), I was confused why Elinor would even care. So that’s a big whoops on my part.I did enjoy that characters were developed and shown to be a bit more complex (not always, although often) than they originally seemed. That said … I don’t understand why anyone’s opinion should be moved by Willoughby’s big confession to Elinor when he thinks Marianne is dying. Like, I guess the fact that his wife dictated the shitty letter matters, but I didn’t see anything in what he said that changed anything. Did I just miss something? Or was that whole reveal meant to just endear us even more to Elinor and her willingness to find the good in people? It just seemed unnecessary to me.Overall, I’m glad I read it. Up next, per a friend’s suggestion, is Persuasion; after that I’ll go with Mansfield Park, and eventually work my way around to Pride and Prejudice.*The casting in this film is BRILLIANT. I actually squealed when I saw Gemma Jones was Elinor and Marianne’s mother. AND ALAN RICKMAN JUST SHOWED UP!

[benuathanasia · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

If you're a fan of Lydia and Kitty from Pride and Prejudice, you'll probably enjoy this book. It was largely about silly little nits trying to get married. It was amusing, but not nearly as good as P&P.

[liladillerauthor · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of my favorites of all time!!

Here is a sampling of the language at the time in some of my favorite quotes:
1. “Nor I,” answered Marianne with energy, “our situations then are alike. We have neither of us any thing to tell; you, because you do not communicate, and I, because I conceal nothing.”
2.She [Fanny] took the first opportunity of affronting her mother-in-law on the occasion, talking to her so expressively of her brother’s great expectations, of Mrs. Ferrars’s resolution that both her sons should marry well, and of the danger attending any young woman who attempted to DRAW HIM IN; that Mrs. Dashwood could neither pretend to be unconscious, nor endeavor to be calm.
3.“Shyness is only the effect of a sense of inferiority in some way or other. If I [Edward] could persuade myself that my manners were perfectly easy and graceful, I should not be shy.”
4.“Brandon is just the kind of man,” said Willoughby one day, when they were talking of him together, “whom every body speaks well of, and nobody cares about; whom all are delighted to see, and nobody remembers to talk to.”
5.Elinor blushed for the insincerity of Edward’s future wife, and replied, “This compliment would effectually frighten me from giving any opinion on the subject had I formed one. It raises my influence much too high; the power of dividing two people so tenderly attached is too much for an indifferent person.”
6.“…I [Mrs. Jennings] have had such good luck in getting my own children off my hands that…if I don’t get one of you at least well married before I have done with you, it shall not be my fault.”

[deltaqueen50 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Sense and Sensibility is Jane Austin’s first published novel. It is an enjoyable novel of manners and romance concerning two sisters, Elinor and Marianne Dashwood. The sisters encounter many obstacles on their path to true love. Elinor, the older of the sisters, is ruled by sense, she is not given to shows of emotion, Marianne, on the other hand, thrives on her emotions and grand dramatic expressions.As the book is told mostly through Elinor’s perspective and we are privy to her innermost thoughts, I found her the more sympathetic of the two sisters. Marianne grew on me as she went through heartbreak and illness, maturing into a stronger, less selfish person. The caring relationship between the two sisters was a highlight of the book. Both sisters’ romantic prospects take numerous twists and turns as the girls navigate a society where marriage is the goal and money and manners can hide a person’s true nature. As with all Jane Austen’s works there is a lot to absorb. The book is full of well drawn, descriptive characters who flesh out the story and the time period. The author’s subtle wit and wordy eloquence deliver a charming story that certainly stands the test of time.

[zeborah · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

John Dashwood is a terrible person: I thought it would be impossible to hate him more and then he starts casually enclosing the commons. Also no I will never forgive Willoughby.Having re-read this straight after re-watching the movie (with Emma Thompson) it startled me that the afterword noted that Marianne doesn't marry for love. I had to go back to the last pages and sure enough, only gratitude, respect (and £2000 a year). So Elinor marries for love and Marianne out of common sense. :-)

[doingdewey · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Originally titled Elinor and Marianne, in a way the book was still named after it’s two main characters. Elinor is eminently sensible, always putting her own feelings second to looking out for her mother and sister. Elinor is the exact opposite, entirely focused on her own sensibility and feelings with a complete lack of concern for the practical. Despite their dissimilarity, both sisters will face similar challenges as they navigate society trying to find love.

This was a reread for me and the first thing I noticed was that I didn’t remember just how funny Jane Austen can be. The humor is very dry and understated, but I thought that made it even better. She rarely outright tells you anything about a character, instead giving you snapshots of their lives that show their personality. As one of the critics quoted in the book pointed out, although the book isn’t overly predictable, the characters always act self-consistently enough that their actions don’t surprise you.

Although I personally relate much more to Elinor than to Marianne, I liked that the two heroines were so different. It added interest and should give everyone a character to empathize with. The plot was strangely engaging. Events move fairly slowly and what happens is all gossip and romance; not a description that I would expect for such an enthralling book! Despite the apparently unexciting contents, I couldn’t put the book down and always wanted to know what happened next.

In addition to liking the story, I also liked the edition I picked up. It was a Barnes & Noble classics edition and it included the best extras. The introduction was less spoiler-y than many but still thought-provoking. I also liked that at the end of the book there was some extra discussion, some book club discussion questions, and a few quotes from critics across the ages. It gave some great context to the story and I’ll definitely be picking up more classics from this series.

This review first published on Doing Dewey.

[pwaites_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

With Jane Austen, I think there’s always a lot that I don’t understand but that hasn’t stopped me from enjoying her books.Unlike when I read Pride and Prejudice, I had no idea what happened in Sense and Sensibility or even what it was about. I’m glad this was the case – knowing that happy endings weren’t assured for the characters made it more suspenseful.“Suspenseful?” I hear you say, “How can a book about the marriage prospects of two Regency era women be suspenseful?”The answer: It’s all about the characters. Jane Austen does characters fabulously. Marianne and Elinor Dashwood, the two sisters at the heart of the novel, are fully developed characters who could walk right off the page. And what’s more, they’re likable.I became deeply involved in these characters lives even if their concerns and problems are so utterly different from my life in the 21st century.Oh, and did I mention that Jane Austen’s funny? It’s a subtle sort of wit that’s more likely to make you grin than laugh out loud, but it makes her books wonderfully enjoyable.I’m not going to bother recommending Sense and Sensibility to anyone in particular; chances are, if you live in the Western world, you’re bound to read Jane Austen at some point in your education.Originally posted on The Illustrated Page.

[ritaer_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The quiet pleasure of a rereading of a well-known work.

[meyben_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Two sisters find love and are heartbroken by the lies and deciet that are made. Society forbids them to marry above while another is engaged.

[alanteder · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Review of the Audible Audio edition narrated by Rosamund PikeI'm not the audience for Jane Austen, but as this was offered in an Audible Daily Deal it was an easy pick to cross off my 1001 Books list and to try to hear what all the fuss is about.This isn't an ideal book for long travel commutes as I found my mind wandering constantly and it would only snap back to attention when Pike affected an especially entertaining upper-class voice for Mrs. Jennings or during the drama of the confrontations between Elinor and Willoughby. The scoundrel Willoughby was probably the only character of any dramatic interest.One main distraction was my constantly thinking about how these people knew each other's incomes on an annual basis? It seemed like a regular refrain throughout but the source of the information is never discussed. It is almost as if there was some sort of public domain registry for this sort of information. I began to wonder if there is any sort of annotated Jane Austen that explains these sorts of cultural nuances that will become even more inexplicable as the years pass.These are only reactions based on listening to an audio version under less than ideal circumstances. I should still try to give it a read in hardcopy format.

[bleached_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Sense and Sensibility is different from Emma and the other Austen books I have read so far. It showed that love isn't always simple and can often be wrong. It displays humanity's flaws of selfishness and vanity. The character of Willouby was the most realistic villain, in fact, I have dealt with a Willouby character in my own love life. I was grateful to Austen for not having him come back in the end and regain Maryanne and his happiness. The only way this novel could have been better is if Willoughby would have ended more miserable.

[salmondaze · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Sense and Sensibility is Jane Austen's "debut" (she may have had a book before this one, I don't know and I'm too lazy to look at her wiki page). I should say that the book's strong points are considerable and include Austen's wit in full force, super polite dialogue, and supercharacters the Palmers. That being said, there are some flaws in terms of plotting and "hazy" passages. But really, this book got only four stars instead of five because to me it should've been re-centered and renamed The Adventures of Mr. and Mrs. Palmer. The sad fact that they are simply not featured enough in this book is enough to warrant a half star being taken off (the other half is for aforementioned flaws). It's a book meant to charm, but not on the level of Pride and Prejudice (although it's an excellent precursor to that work).

[sarah1e · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I thought I knew this book before I read it. I thought it was about two sisters - one practical and reserved, the other dramatic and passionate - trying to find husbands in a society riddled with gossip and insincerity. The story is really about how the sisters, who face strikingly similar obstacles, deal with their struggles in entirely different ways. It changes their relationship, how they see one another, and how they grow to interpret friendship and sincerity. The story lacked a dramatic flair I enjoyed in other of Austen's work, and at times it felt tedious. I enjoyed it, and I appreciate that it was so much more than I was expecting.

[axya_4 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I really don't get why ppl like this book so much T_____T among the five Austen books I've read, I find it very dull indeed T_____T it's so lengthy, elaborative more than needed, and nothing's really going on at all. It renders me no emotions whatsoever with any of the characters.

[gypsysmom_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

WARNING: The following contains spoilers so do not read if you want to be surprised.This is the story of the two Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne. When their father was dying he made their stepbrother, John, promise to take care of their mother and her daughters (which includes a younger sister, Margaret). Although John promised his father he would do so after his death his wife talked him out of settling a monetary amount on them. So John inherited the entire estate including the house in which the girls had been raised. For a short while the widow and her daughters lived with John and his wife but Mrs. Dashwood was determined to find a place to move to. Meanwhile Elinor and Mrs. John Dashwood's brother, Edward Ferrars, became fond of each other. Mrs. John Dashwood was concerned by this involvement and affronted her mother-in-law by talking of Edward's prospects and "of the danger attending any young woman who attempted to draw him in". Elinor's mother then received an offer of a cottage on an estate owned by a relative, Sir John Middleton. The only difficulty was that the cottage was in Devonshire, far from Sussex where they had been living. But the offer of Barton Cottage was so reasonable that the widow decided to move, sight unseen.At Barton Cottage the family settled in quickly aided by their landlord and neighbour, Sir John, although his wife was less welcoming. Two visitors to the Middleton house, Lady Middleton's mother, Mrs. Jennings, and a friend of Sir John's, Colonel Brandon, helped offset Lady Middleton's coldness. Soon it was apparent that Colonel Brandon was smitten by Marianne even though he was quite a bit older. However, Marianne was soon swept off her feet (literally) by a dashing young man, Willoughby, who rescued her when she fell and hurt her ankle one day. Willoughby was visiting his aunt in the neighbourhood from whom he was expecting to inherit quite a fortune. Elinor and her mother were convinced that Marianne and Willoughby were engaged although Marianne did not say anything. When Willoughby was suddenly called away, Marianne was devastated.Elinor also learned that Edward Ferrars was engaged to another, a young woman who was a relation of Mrs. Jennings, Lucy. Their engagement was a secret but Lucy had divulged it to Elinor during a visit made to Barton. Elinor could not talk of this disappointment to anyone so she kept it bottled up, unlike Marianne who pined for Willoughby quite openly.Mrs. Jennings decided to move to her house in London in January and she invited the two Dashwood girls to stay with her so they could enjoy the season. Although Elinor was reluctant to go, Marianne was wild to accept the invitation because she could then see Willoughby again. Immediately on their arrival in "town" she wrote to Willoughby, unseemly conduct for a young woman unless she was engaged. Despite several other letters Willoughby did not arrive to call and when they finally saw him at a dance he was very cold. It turns out he was about to be married to a young lady with a sizable fortune. Marianne was inconsolable.The engagement between Lucy and Edward became known to his mother who declared she would cut him off if he married Lucy. Edward, a fine young gentleman, insisted on carrying out his promise even though, in his heart, he no longer cared for her. He was offered a "living" by Colonel Brandon, meaning he could serve as minister in the church in the Colonel's area. However, the living was only 200 pounds a year, really not enough to support him and a wife. Edward offered to let Lucy out of her promise but Lucy declared she could make do with any amount (secretly hoping to get assistance from the Colonel) so long as they could be together.However, while Edward was off being confirmed his brother, Robert (who had become the sole beneficiary of his mother's fortune), wooed Lucy and they ran off together to be married. In the meantime Marianne became so ill everyone thought she would die. Colonel Brandon rode off to fetch Marianne's mother and Willoughby, although now married, came to tell Elinor that he had always loved Marianne but due to mounting debts he had felt he had to marry another. Marianne did recover and when she was well enough Elinor told her about Willoughby's visit. Both Elinor and Marianne forgave Willoughby and even felt sorry for him because his life with his wife was bound to be unhappy.By the end of the book Elinor is married to Edward Ferrars and Marianne to Colonel Brandon so the two sisters lived very close to each other.Although Elinor and Marianne managed to forgive Willoughby I thought he was a thorough scoundrel. I also disliked John Dashwood and his wife. The laws of inheritance among the gentry certainly were not just. And women were quite obviously second class citizens. Ms Austen's characters never resonate with me as much as some other English writers like George Eliot and Thomas Hardy. Their lives seem so empty, concerned only with making calls, dancing, performing music or drawing. Nevertheless this was a book worth reading and another one off the 1001 list.

[randymetcalfe · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Not a perfect novel. At times it is overly directed by an imposing narrative voice. At times, especially in the third volume, discordant chapters appear simply to force a plot point, or render themes explicit that were earlier presented with a gentler and more efficacious touch. And yet I would more gladly reread a less than perfect Austen than a great many more perfect novels. (To be clear, I do believe that Austen also did write a perfect novel, perhaps the perfect novel, later in Emma.)At its best, Sense and Sensibility shimmers with deft observations and exquisite turns of phrase. Is there anyone so adept at painting character whilst presenting backstory? Comic set pieces abound; Edward’s meeting with Elinor and Lucy is almost excruciatingly awkward. But there are also wrenchingly emotional scenes for Marianne and Elinor, respectively, that come across as piercingly real.The narrator’s sympathy remains consistently with Elinor, but Marianne’s more emotional sensibility is not dismissed, and, when subjected to appropriate reflection attains to sense. They seem encircled by a sea of silly people. But so long as hearts are generous and pure, as in the case of Mrs Jennings and her daughter Charlotte, they are loved. For those that lack genuine fellow feeling there is disdain. Yet, even for these, Elinor offers courtesy and civility.There is much more that might be said. Perhaps it is enough to say that, as with each of Austen’s novels, this one should be read and read again.

[cloggiedownunder · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Sense and Sensibility, Jane Austen’s first published novel, is the story of two sisters, Elinor and Marianne Dashwood. Marianne is young and flirtatious and has very set ideas about what sort of person her true love, her knight in shining armour will be. Elinor, much more restrained, mature and sensible, has quite a different attitude to life and love. Both meet the man they believe is for them, but for neither does the course of true love run smooth. This charming novel has some very likeable characters, as well as a few to despise or disdain, and plenty of muddles, misunderstandings and wrong assumptions. Altogether a delight to read: easy to understand why this is a classic.

[fyrefly98 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Summary: When Mr. Dashwood dies, his daughters find themselves left with only the most meager inheritance, the rest having been entailed to their elder half-brother, who is not of a particularly generous nature. The sisters and their mother move to a small cottage in the country, where both of them find themselves in love - Elinor, the elder, with the shy Edward Ferrars, and Marianne, the younger, with the dashing Mr. Willoughby. While Elinor is as reserved with her feelings as Marianne is extravagent, both seem destined for disappointment, since the situations of both gentlemen are more complicated than the Dashwoods had originally believed.Review: Sense and Sensibility was the first of Austen's novels that I ever read, and at the time, I didn't understand why so many people seemed to love her so much. Granted, I was supremely ill-prepared for it at the time; I don't think I'd seen any of the movies, or even much from the same period, and I certainly wasn't familiar with the language or the conventions of the period. Now that I've read (and seen) (and loved) others of Austen's works, I decided to return to Sense and Sensibility and give it another shot. And, while I absolutely understood it better than I did the first time around, and enjoyed it well enough, it's still not my favorite of her books, and definitely not the one I should have started with.A large part of the problem was that when it came to the romance angle, there wasn't really a couple that I was rooting for. I mean, I wanted the Dashwoods to be happy, so once they've figured out what will make them happy, I'm all for that... but there's a very clear note of Marianne settling for Colonel Brandon (who is almost twenty years her senior, besides), and while Elinor's feelings for Edward are pure enough, he's just not a very personable or inspiring leading man. At any rate, I never got as involved in either of their romances as I was in, say, Elizabeth & Mr. Darcy, or Anne & Captain Wentworth. I also found the language more challenging than the other Austen novels I've read. Perhaps it's because I was reading this during a really stressed-out and distractable period (which: excellent decision, self), but in parts it felt like it was even more convoluted than I would ordinarily expect from literature of the period. I also found the preponderance of secondary and tertiary characters difficult to keep straight in parts, despite recently having watched the movie version. Overall, while it definitely did have its moments, I felt like I had to struggle with this one more than I wanted to, for less romance payoff than I was hoping for. 3.5 out of 5 stars.Recommendation: My reaction is probably deeply colored by the circumstances in which I read it, and there's still plenty to be enjoyed here, but I still would recommend that an Austen newbie start somewhere else.

[mkhongms_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Not very momorable work.

[michdubb · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Surprisingly funny and witty.

[alana_leigh_6 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loving Austen's work as I do, it would take me months to write a real review of Sense and Sensibility that would encompass my emotional and intellectual reactions to the novel and its place in Austen's oeuvre, so the only thing I'll be "reviewing" here pertains to my latest reading of the book that spans April to September of 2009. My significant other and I read aloud to each other. (Yes, it's sickeningly adorable, we know.) It started as a project of reading the other our favorite novels. Since he had already read my actual favorite, Persuasion (at my encouragement the year before), I selected Pride and Prejudice and to continue the Austen education (as we're still muddling through his selection of Moby Dick), he requested Sense and Sensibility.Reading a novel aloud, you might guess, makes for an interesting experience, particularly when it's a novel that you're quite familiar with... because somehow, you stumble upon things you never noticed. Words that you might have skipped over in a quick read or never knew how to pronounce are brought into the spotlight as definitions are requested or pronunciation corrections given. In addition, to read a novel aloud to someone means that reading is no longer this solitary communion between reader and novel. With an additional participant, there's an added dimension of dialogue and discussion. We try not to get "teacher-y" with leading questions, as obviously one of us knows how the story will turn out while the other is being exposed to everything for the first time. I also tried not to let my Austen research seep in too much as side commentary, but I couldn't always help myself. Some things, like how the novel was originally titled "Elinor and Marianne" or that it was originally published without Austen's name, but rather it was listed as "By a Lady"... well those things are harmless. Telling him that in the Ang Lee version, Emma Thompson plays Elinor and in real life, she married Willoughby... well, that got a little confusing for him.So, my listener and I might summarize the basic plot of the novel as such: Elinor and Marianne Dashwood are two sisters with very different means of expression. Both are thoughtful and feeling young women, but Elinor tends to keep things to herself whereas Marianne sees no reason to hide emotions. Their father dies and their family (including mom and a little sister that we basically ignore) moves into a cottage owned by their mother's cousin, but not before Elinor develops an attachment to her half-brother's wife's brother, who is considered out of her league in terms of fortune by his family. Once they move to Devonshire, Marianne falls head over heels for the dashing Mr. Willoughby, though she also inspires a quiet love in the older Colonel Brandon, who has a somewhat complicated past. Austen originally intended to show "sense" triumph over "sensibility," but as she wrote the novel, her feelings wavered on whether one should entirely discount "sensibility."My own love for Sense and Sensibility aside, I was a little surprised at certain of his reactions to particular sections... and then quickly realized that, as an intelligent reader, he did have some points. Whenever he complained about Elinor being a bit of a wet blanket... well... he's kind of right. And yes, Marianne is incredibly selfish. And it's not terribly easy to remember all the names and family connections. (I made him a character list/family tree chart that he would occasionally consult as I read.) But it was comforting to know that a surprise at the end of the novel was just as much of a surprise for him as a first-time reader as it was for my pre-teen adolescent self when I first read it. And even more so, I was pleased that he found this to be a delightful and interesting plot-point rather than something ridiculous that reflected poor planning on the author's part.I might adore the novel, but even I can admit that it certainly reflects Austen as a younger, less developed writer. Sense and Sensibility is a very different novel from Pride and Prejudice, but it's impossible to not make certain comparisons as both novels focus on two sisters who are not wealthy. And while S&S might have been written and published first, it's a much sadder novel than P&P, and actually a little more complex when it comes to how Austen feels about her characters. This is not to say that there are more complex characters here, it's just that this is a more interesting novel to study in terms of an author's complicated relationship with her characters. Austen might align herself with Elinor, but we must admit that there's the touch of the Marianne about her.I've discussed Sense and Sensibility with people any times before, but never in a situation where our reading at the same pace allows us to address immediate scenes and actions. As a result, we often discussed particular phrases as it pertained to her writing style, making comparisons with P&P or Persuasion. We spent a lot of time talking about some of the supporting characters (and why their voices are so much more fun to do than the main characters'), why Austen considered certain scenes to be necessary in the general arch of the story, and where we saw clear foreshadowings of particular scenes or characters in P&P. Overall, if you're looking to read an Austen novel to your significant other, I would recommend Pride and Prejudice over this one, unless you're prepared to handle a few outbursts. ("Yes! We get it! Elinor is bottling it all inside! But can't she just punch Lucy in the nose just once?" or "Wait a minute. That was a duel. There was a duel in an Austen novel and we don't even get to see it?! And they both miss?! That's utterly ridiculous!") We had a great time, though, and it was a quick read for us. It's a beautiful, fantastic novel that any real literature fan should experience -- preferably before the Ang Lee version, though I consider it to be one of the best Austen movie adaptations out there. Next up for our reading? Wuthering Heights. But we're still disemboweling whales on his side, so I might try to make it through a bit more of that before we start to tackle Heathcliff and the moors.

[kimmr_2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It's been quite a while since I last read Sense and Sensibility and this is the first time I've listened to it on audiobook. As I listened to Nadia May's excellent narration, I realised that there was much I'd forgotten about the book since I last read it.

I had certainly forgotten the flashes of humour and the sharpness of the satire. For example, Austen is particularly pointed in her descriptions of the indulgence with which the less satisfactory mothers amongst her characters (Fanny Dashwood, Lady Middleton) treat the misbehaviour of their offspring. These scenes are laugh-out-loud funny. However, they also made me think how often Austen must have been exposed to the ill-disciplined children of her acquaintances!

There is arguably more social commentary in Sense and Sensibility than in Austen's other novels. While the dependence of single women and the devastating potential effect of inheritance laws is also central to the plot of Pride and Prejudice, it is in Sense and Sensibility that the actual effect is felt most keenly in the situation of the Mrs Dashwood and her daughters.

Primarily, though, Sense and Sensibility is about relationships - relationships between sisters, between mothers and children, between friends. It is these relationships, good and bad, positive and negative which form the core of the novel. They are more important than the ultimate romantic pairings and just as important as the theme suggested by the title, that is, the different approaches to life of those with contrasting temperaments.

Indeed, in my view, the romantic pairings form the least satisfactory element of the novel. The resolution of the relationship between Elinor and Edward is brought about by the somewhat unsatisfactory deus ex machina of Lucy Steele's decision to exchange one brother for another. And to my mind the union of Marianne and Colonel Brandon is problematic, notwithstanding Austen's explanation that Marianne grew to love her husband. . While expected in such a novel, the romantic relationships do not have the same impact as those of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy, of Anne Elliot and Captain Wentworth or even of Emma Woodhouse and Mr Knightley.

Overall, I've appreciated Sense and Sensibility much more this time around than I have on previous readings. While it does not have the same emotional effect on me as my favourite Austen novel - Persuasion - it remains a masterpiece.

[karl6steel · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Given what I'm sure is below, my review's wholly unnecessary, although I'd like to complain about the precipitous marriage of Lucy Steele to Robert Ferrars. If she was going to go this way with the central conflict of the second half of the book, Austen could have resolved it even more suddenly: why not knock Lucy down with a carriage? Why not drown her in the Thames? Why not let loose a localized horde of zombies?

I'll say this to complainers about Mr Edward Ferrars: his woodenness is simply Elinor's, seen from the outside. Had we watched the novel from within Marianne's head, Edward and Elinor would have been indistinguishable.