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Anne's Reviews > Sense and Sensibility
Sense and Sensibility
by
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Anne's review
bookshelves: classics, romance, audio, read-in-2019, audible, read-in-2024
Nov 15, 2008
bookshelves: classics, romance, audio, read-in-2019, audible, read-in-2024
Read 3 times. Last read October 5, 2024 to November 1, 2024.
This is a great story even though neither heroine is my favorite.
And I'm not really crazy about the boys, either.
I'm not saying Austen wrote them incorrectly, but these were different times, and not all the stuff they did translates all that well into most people's version of what a modern-day heroine (or hero) should look like.
So. If you're a new-to-Austen reader, just keep that in mind.
The general gist of this one is that two sisters, who have recently fallen on hard financial times, also fall in love with two men. With vastly different ways of showing it, and vastly different outcomes to their respective romances.
Marianne is impetuous, full of life, sure of herself, and unwilling to tone it down, as my mother would say. Her ideas of love are pure romance, and anyone who looks at love differently has no soul. She very much represents how love is perceived by someone who is young or doesn't really have any experience with the many different ways real love makes an appearance.
Elinor is very much the woman who knows how to put her lipstick on and hide her crazy, as my mother would also say. In other words, she's got the Sense and Sensibility not to share her hopes and dreams, inner turmoil, or just her business in general with everyone. <--good or bad.
Today? I think that a combination of Marianne & Elinor would be the sort of woman that I would want to read about in a book.
Because let's face it, Marrianne is ridiculous. Not her spirit, but her ideas of this perfect man and perfect love that will forever stamp your soul are just bonkers. Get out of here with that nonsense, says the older/wiser woman. I think we all (men and women) start out with a little bit of Marrianne in ourselves.
You only know what you know.
This means that young people aren't particularly stupid, they just haven't had enough LIFE slap them upside their heads yet.
But they will.
Ooooooh, they will.
At the same time, I don't think Elinor is a paragon of womanhood just because she managed to stuff each and every emotion deeeeeep into some secret hidey-hole in her psyche.
I can't help but think it would have been better for her to confide in someone...or maybe just find that worm at the bottom of the bottle?
Don't judge.
We all have our ways of coping.
Ok, ok. So, even if Elinor & Marianne aren't Lizzie Bennet, this is still a fantastic story and a must for anyone who is Austen-curious. As always, she wrote characters who were (for the times) true to life, fully formed, and definitely worth taking a journey to get to know.
Recommended.
And I'm not really crazy about the boys, either.
I'm not saying Austen wrote them incorrectly, but these were different times, and not all the stuff they did translates all that well into most people's version of what a modern-day heroine (or hero) should look like.
So. If you're a new-to-Austen reader, just keep that in mind.
The general gist of this one is that two sisters, who have recently fallen on hard financial times, also fall in love with two men. With vastly different ways of showing it, and vastly different outcomes to their respective romances.
Marianne is impetuous, full of life, sure of herself, and unwilling to tone it down, as my mother would say. Her ideas of love are pure romance, and anyone who looks at love differently has no soul. She very much represents how love is perceived by someone who is young or doesn't really have any experience with the many different ways real love makes an appearance.
Elinor is very much the woman who knows how to put her lipstick on and hide her crazy, as my mother would also say. In other words, she's got the Sense and Sensibility not to share her hopes and dreams, inner turmoil, or just her business in general with everyone. <--good or bad.
Today? I think that a combination of Marianne & Elinor would be the sort of woman that I would want to read about in a book.
Because let's face it, Marrianne is ridiculous. Not her spirit, but her ideas of this perfect man and perfect love that will forever stamp your soul are just bonkers. Get out of here with that nonsense, says the older/wiser woman. I think we all (men and women) start out with a little bit of Marrianne in ourselves.
You only know what you know.
This means that young people aren't particularly stupid, they just haven't had enough LIFE slap them upside their heads yet.
But they will.
Ooooooh, they will.
At the same time, I don't think Elinor is a paragon of womanhood just because she managed to stuff each and every emotion deeeeeep into some secret hidey-hole in her psyche.
I can't help but think it would have been better for her to confide in someone...or maybe just find that worm at the bottom of the bottle?
Don't judge.
We all have our ways of coping.
Ok, ok. So, even if Elinor & Marianne aren't Lizzie Bennet, this is still a fantastic story and a must for anyone who is Austen-curious. As always, she wrote characters who were (for the times) true to life, fully formed, and definitely worth taking a journey to get to know.
Recommended.
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Reading Progress
Started Reading
January 1, 1999
–
Finished Reading
November 15, 2008
– Shelved
October 13, 2019
–
Started Reading
November 23, 2019
–
Finished Reading
October 5, 2024
–
Started Reading
November 1, 2024
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-50 of 82 (82 new)
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BAM doesn’t answer to her real name
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rated it 5 stars
Nov 23, 2019 07:58AM
This one is actually my favorite Austen.
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Is it?! Wow! And that's what I think is so great about the way she wrote characters. It's like she wrote every type of woman, you know?
Anne wrote: "And I'm not really crazy about the boys, either."
*drops mic*
Trish wrote: "Anne wrote: "And I'm not really crazy about the boys, either."*drops mic*"
Oh no - I just saw this while randomly scrolling through my feed.
I was going to read tonight - now I'm tempted to watch an Austen adaptation instead... The review only increased the temptation, haha...
It's also not my favourite Austen but definitely quite high up in my list. 🙂
Trish wrote: "Anne wrote: "And I'm not really crazy about the boys, either."*drops mic*"
I'm not sure what that means, Trish. I mean, are you saying Alan Rickman is awesome, or are you saying it's gross that he ended up with Marrianne? Because I definitely thought the poor kid got the short end of the stick. Loved Alan Rickman as an actor, though!
But...ew. No.
And in the book? *gag* He's too old for her! He's got a daughter(ish) her age! Uuuuuugh.
And Elinor's guy was described as 'not attractive' AND he's sort of got a bland personality. <--can't root for that.
They were both 'nice' but neither of them was in any way amazing or swoonworthy. So. They're OK but not my favorites.
*drops mic*
Lara Mi wrote: "Oh no - I just saw this while randomly scrolling through my feed.I was going to read tonight - now I'm tempted to watch an Austen adaptation instead... The review only increased the temptation, haha...
It's also not my favourite Austen but definitely quite high up in my list.
So what is your Austen ranking list?
My top pick is P&P then...I'm not sure!
Hmm I never made an actual list but thinking about it, it should look like this:Persuasion
P&P (very close behind persuasion though!)
S&S
Emma
Mansfield Park
Northanger Abbey
That being said, Northanger Abbey may rise up after a reread as it was my first Austen and I feel like I might not have appreciated it enough!
What’s your ranking, apart from first place going to P&P?
... ended up watching a P&P adaptation 😆
LOL! Love the P&P movie!Ok, my list would be...
P&P
Northanger Abbey
Emma
Persuasion
S&S
Mansfield Park
Also, I've moved that list around about 20 times since I wrote it, so take it with a grain of salt. The only 2 I know for SURE is that P&P is my absolute favorite and Mansfield Park is my least favorite.
Anne, you should read Sense and Sensability and Sea Monsters! It is really good and keeps the best parts of Austen's writing while adding the sea monster element. I would have to say my favorite Austen is Northanger Abbey, then P&P S &S Mansfield Park and Emma. I need to read Persuasion soon!
Although in poor Elinor's case -- wasn't she shouldering everything -- the Mom was as useful as M. Shutting down could be the only way she could cope. Wasn't the Dad absent much of the time too before he died. (Eesh between him & Mr. Bennet -- not great father figures really).
Jenny wrote: "Anne, you should read Sense and Sensability and Sea Monsters! It is really good and keeps the best parts of Austen's writing while adding the sea monster element. I would have to say my favorite A..."
Did you say...AND SEA MONSTERS?!
...
I'm in!
Beth wrote: "Although in poor Elinor's case -- wasn't she shouldering everything -- the Mom was as useful as M. Shutting down could be the only way she could cope. Wasn't the Dad absent much of the time too b..."
The father was supposedly really awesome right up till he died. I agree that Mr. Bennet wasn't the best, though. If he hadn't played favorites and treated their mom like it was funny that she was such an idiot, I think things would have worked out a lot better for all of the girls. I think Elinor's mom (while a good woman) was too much of a romantic to see that Marrianne was (for the times) acting a bit too openly toward Willoughby. Plus, her mom didn't seem to want to face how bad their financial situation was in the beginning. Elinor was much more of the adult in a lot of ways, and I think you're right when you say she shouldered a lot of the responsibilities. I wish she had spoken up and told the other two to grow up and act right. I think my pet peeve is characters who should speak plainly to their family or friends but just don't for whatever reason.
Sometimes I think the Austen film adaptations are more entertaining than the actual novels. Blasphemy, I know.
Anne wrote: "LOL! Love the P&P movie!Ok, my list would be...
P&P
Northanger Abbey
Emma
Persuasion
S&S
Mansfield Park
Also, I've moved that list around about 20 times since I wrote it, so take it with a grain ..."
Which P&P adaptation do you usually watch?
I've only ever seen the newest one with Keira Knightley. Interestingly, I really like this movie, despite the fact that Keira Knightley is my least favourite actress and I've actively avoided movies with her, haha
I'm positive Northanger Abbey will shoot up quite a bit after a reread - I remember liking Katherine and the hero (whose name escapes me, oops). Perhaps I need to up it on my list of rereads for next year. 😊
I'm a little surprised to see you guys commenting on Mr Bennett being a bad father figure - perhaps he is different in the book and my memory is muddled from watching the movie the other day, but I remember thinking of him as a fun character. 😯
´³´Ç²õé - I can partially agree with that! For movie adaptations, I find they have a bit more heart as the romance is more obvious and I find that a lot of classics don't go into detail of emotions as is done in contemporary books. But then I find the books more insightful and meaningful in other directions. I always enjoy watching the films right after the books, to be honest. 🙂
Anne, yes SEA MONSTERS!!!! The sea has been corrupted and they have to fight the giant monsters, and instead of a safe lil inland cottage, they are right on the sea shore... dun dun dun!!!! READ IT!!!
´³´Ç²õé wrote: "Sometimes I think the Austen film adaptations are more entertaining than the actual novels. Blasphemy, I know."OHMYGOD...I'm with you 100%.
Please don't tell anyone!
The BBC version of Emma was better than the book b/c it made both Emma and Mr. Knightly so much more likable.
Jenny wrote: "Anne, yes SEA MONSTERS!!!! The sea has been corrupted and they have to fight the giant monsters, and instead of a safe lil inland cottage, they are right on the sea shore... dun dun dun!!!! READ IT!!!"Whaaaaat?! I've got to find that one!
In case you didn't know, the sea monsters are in the same series as P&P & Zombies. There's even a movie adaptation for the latter already. :D
Lara Mi wrote: "Which P&P adaptation do you usually watch?"Oh, the ONLY P&P version for me is the BBC miniseries with Colin Firth. It's a very faithful adaptation and if you haven't seen it, you're missing out on one of the best things in life. LOL
As to Mr. Bennet being a bad father? He's not bad in the traditional sense. It's not like he's an asshole or abusive. I think what everyone is saying is that he makes fun of his wife instead of sitting her down and talking to her about why he disagrees with her. And he lets his younger daughters make fools of themselves, and instead of taking them aside and correcting them, he just lets it go because it's easier. Ant the end, he admits that what happened with Lydia really won't bother him as long as it should because it turned out to be less inconvenient than he thought. He's not BAD, just careless.
Trish wrote: "In case you didn't know, the sea monsters are in the same series as P&P & Zombies. There's even a movie adaptation for the latter already. :D"How did I not know this?
Anne wrote: "Trish wrote: "In case you didn't know, the sea monsters are in the same series as P&P & Zombies. There's even a movie adaptation for the latter already. :D"How did I not know this?"
Honestly? I have no idea, but you shoud be ashamed of yourself! ;P
book: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
movie:
Anne wrote: "Beth wrote: "Although in poor Elinor's case -- wasn't she shouldering everything -- the Mom was as useful as M. Shutting down could be the only way she could cope. Wasn't the Dad absent much of t..."
ah -- it's been a while since I watched the movie & the beginning was bit foggy. I vaguely recall Elinor having to explain -- we can't afford beef �.
But yeah -- that plot conflict point where if you had just spoken to each other -- there'd be no conflict? Annoying.
Trish wrote: "Anne wrote: "Trish wrote: "In case you didn't know, the sea monsters are in the same series as P&P & Zombies. There's even a movie adaptation for the latter already. :D"How did I not know this?"
..."
The movie is fun! Although the Darcy they picked -- his voice reminds me of John Hurt � which I thought was an age thing but apparently not. :)
I'm trying to find the movie right now...
IMHO, Alan Rickman is one of those actors who shines as a villain and doesn’t work as a hero. In my mind, he is Snape and only Snape forever.
Ha! I liked him in the movie, but I understand what you mean. I'm too old to think of him as Just Snape, but it was definitely a defining role for him with an entire generation.
Anne wrote: "I'm trying to find the movie right now..."It's on the Canadian Netflix -- so it'd most likely be on the US version. (:P the reverse isn't always true)
Well, the Canadians have officially beaten us. Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters is NOT on US Netflix.*hangs head in shame*
The foppish guy from Downton Abbey or the villain from Die Hard aren't really choices at all. Although I do dig Snape's outfit.
Anne wrote: "Well, the Canadians have officially beaten us. Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters is NOT on US Netflix.*hangs head in shame*"
Oops -- thought you meant you were looking for Pride, Prejudice & Zombies. :D
Anne wrote: "Well, the Canadians have officially beaten us. Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters is NOT on US Netflix.*hangs head in shame*"
I believe this is just a book. P&P&Z is both a movie and a book.
Beth wrote: "Anne wrote: "Well, the Canadians have officially beaten us. Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters is NOT on US Netflix.*hangs head in shame*"
Oops -- thought you meant you were looking for Pride..."
Ok, good! I thought I was going crazy!
Jeff wrote: "The foppish guy from Downton Abbey or the villain from Die Hard aren't really choices at all. Although I do dig Snape's outfit."The foppish guy from Downton Abbey...lol!
Chad wrote: "Anne wrote: "Well, the Canadians have officially beaten us. Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters is NOT on US Netflix.*hangs head in shame*"
I believe this is just a book. P&P&Z is both a movie..."
Somehow I got confused. Shocking! Haha!
Anne wrote: "Jeff wrote: "The foppish guy from Downton Abbey or the villain from Die Hard aren't really choices at all. Although I do dig Snape's outfit."The foppish guy from Downton Abbey...lol!"
Let's face it, Mary goes for studly race car drivers and killed that Turkish nobleman via sex, so her and Matthew should have zero chemistry.
She'd be re-incarnated as a drummer in a punk rock band.
*sob*
Didn't you date someone like that once? The smelly one?
"Beth wrote: "Although in poor Elinor's case -- wasn't she shouldering everything -- the Mom was as useful as M. Shutting down could be the only way she could cope.
She coped like all true Brits do: she had a cup of tea.
Catalina wrote: " "Beth wrote: "Although in poor Elinor's case -- wasn't she shouldering everything -- the Mom was as useful as M. Shutting down could be the only way she could cope.
She coped like all true Brit..."
Ha! I usually have a beer to cope with all of life's nonsense. I mean, tea is nice and all, but there's something satisfying in that fizzy/hissing sound a can of cheap Bud makes when you pop the top.
Anne wrote: "Catalina wrote: " "Beth wrote: "Although in poor Elinor's case -- wasn't she shouldering everything -- the Mom was as useful as M. Shutting down could be the only way she could cope.
She coped l..."
For me, something stronger than beer... with a ton of junk food! Especially for a book (or film) hangover!
Yes!! Funyuns and booze for me.
Or Doritos anyone? Doritos cure a lot of woes. And popcorn. And pizza.
Ok, I actually prefer the generic Doritos you get at Walmart (completely redneck, I know) because they are a little crisper/thinner. Popcorn and pizza! All. Day. Long. And pizza pairs well with beer...
Pepperoni pizza with mayonnaise.Although, I don't know, doesn't Mrs. Jennings offer Marianne Madeira wine and olives to cure her broken heart? Doesn't sound too bad to me!
Mrs. Jennings was kind of awesome. And to be really honest, I liked her character. She was too much a lot of the time but she had a fantastic attitude and didn't judge Marrianne for the way she and Willoughby acted.I like to dip my Pepperoni pizza crust in Ranch dressing.
"had Elinor's memory been equal to [it], she might have known very early in their acquaintance, all the particulars of Mr. Jennings' last illness, and what he had said to his wife a few minutes before he died."Mrs. Jennings did get better from there, though. I loved her but I couldn't respect her! Jane Austen is a genius with people!
I wish Margaret had been in it a bit more after watching the film with Emma Thomson.
Cheesy stuffed crust is the best.
I wished we knew more about Margaret, too. Oh, that would have made for a great sequel!Sense and Sensibility 2: Sense Harder
We have a chain here called Big Cheese. Cheap and delicious! IN fact, I'm thinking we may have that tonight...
Maybe Margaret grows up a bit of a rebel. Sense and Sensibility 2: sins and sins ability! Or... maybe not. But I do have a feeling she might just run away to sea?Okay, stop with the pizza, you're making me hungry and I just had bacon!
Catalina wrote: "Sense and Sensibility 2: sins and sins ability! "Now see, that just sounds like the porn parody.
