** spoiler alert ** When Ang Lee's version of the movie came out, which Emma Thompson wrote the screenplay for, I read that she said it was the most difficult Austen book to adapt. And I can see why. It was Austen's first book, and it's quite densely written. Not a lot of dialogue, so screenwriters had to make it up as they went along. Overall I liked it, but some things didn't work for me: Col. Brandon's young ward just HAPPENED to get knocked up by Willoughby of all people? Really?? And I've read that many people had problems with Marianne marrying Brandon. I can see why Willoughby was a poor choice for her--he's a selfish bastard and they're a lot alike in their temperments--and I love Brandon probably because of the way Alan Rickman played him (I love me some Alan Rickman--the definition of an ugly-sexy man!), but to end a book where they get married on literally the last page because Marianne has toned herself down and has learned to "appreciate" Brandon, when she didn't really give a crap about him most of the book, merely seems like she's settling for him. Which to Austen I'm sure is a good trait, but to the reader...it sells Brandon short. But he loves her, so I guess everyone's happy. And it's too convenient that Lucy Steele just happened to flatter Robert Ferrars into marrying her when he didn't seem to even think she was attractive, but they're both so awesomely repulsive that I can let it fly. When Austen hates her characters (and there are many in this story she can barely tolerate), she REALLY hates them. It's so great! Pride and Prejudice was definitely an improvement, but you can see the budding talents of Austen from this.

And by the way...PBS has a new version of S&S starting this Sunday that i was able to...procure earlier (let's just leave it at that), and it's really great. More faithful to the book than the Ang Lee version, and well cast (although Willoughby looks like a snake in the grass from the moment you meet him, but that's alright with me).

Ok--this is my official break from the Jane Austen oeuvre!!