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I wish Jane Austen could see she became an admired literary standard. She conjures such scholarly connotations, I was wary of enjoying ��Sense And Sensibility��. I hope my words attain quality that is discussed and absorbed for meaning but books are about the story, personages, message, setting, and sympathizing with them. I couldn't care less about structural intentions, like “symbolism��, thus my reviews are never going to be critical essay types. Just as a novel, I am thrilled to report I liked this! I feel relief and triumph, to have enjoyed this enough to give it four stars!

We have read and seen numerous stories portraying the 1800s, most often in England; at a distance already for North Americans, culturally. They must spotlight a rare class, with mercifully extinct codes of conduct. Except Edward Farrars' Mother, I was shocked, to find an authoress from 1811 itself, depicting no stuffiness! How enlightening, from someone who knew how society acted. We still observe morals and manners, as we should but there was scarcely any unreasonable mindset. I followed this Mother and daughters right along, who loved each other and had fun. Quite unforeseen relief is that ��Sense And Sensibility�� is supposed to be about two who are different but Elinor & Marianne are loving and loyal. There was no antagonism. They had respectfully different attitudes and coping mannerisms.

Another striking aspect is that this family quartet of women, including young Margaret, needed a financial lift only as much as some men. They were content on their own. Even though they were aware their step-brother promised to share his male-structured inheritance, they did not challenge him and his selfish wife. The largest surprise, is that I expected a social commentary and found a veritable novel: with a story that goes somewhere and plot twists I did not dream it would yield.

Even though I am a linguist, I had to pause and absorb pages properly because they are stuffed full of intelligent language, with eloquently impressive turns of phrase but I praise this. Part of the point of sampling Jane, is to broaden my vocabulary and literary palate. However any modern person wondering if they will relate to Marianne and Elinor and find an enjoyable story, must be encouraged. I am glad I have read the first of her books! It is a due I felt it right to grant this lady, for an unusually personal reason. All the way from Canada, I have visited her house!