Weekend Reading: Sense and Sensibility

‘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!’

A tale of two sisters. I’ve read all of the Austen books over and over, and my favorite varies depending on mood (though it’s usually Pride and Prejudice). The other night, Sense and Sensibility was in a Jeopardy final answer, and I’ve been in the mood to revisit it ever since.

My paranormal romance two book series, (the Gods Behaving Badly series, To Hell with Love and Naughty or Nice) was loosely based on Sense and Sensibility. I love the dynamic with the sisters, one who needs to be a little more expressive, and the other who really needs to rein it in. I’ve always preferred Marianne. Better to throw it all out there and take risks, even if you nearly pay with your life. Plus, she ended up with… well, I won’t spoil it if you haven’t read. Go read it!

Sense and Sensibility:

Marianne Dashwood wears her heart on her sleeve, and when she falls in love with the dashing but unsuitable John Willoughby she ignores her sister Elinor’s warning that her impulsive behaviour leaves her open to gossip and innuendo. Meanwhile Elinor, always sensitive to social convention, is struggling to conceal her own romantic disappointment, even from those closest to her. Through their parallel experience of love—and its threatened loss—the sisters learn that sense must mix with sensibility if they are to find personal happiness in a society where status and money govern the rules of love.

Have you read all of Jane Austen’s novels? Any of them? Your favorite? Are you an Elinor or a Marianne? Would you choose Edward, Willoughby, or Colonel Brandon? 

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