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Sense and Sensibility

Jane Austen

Start date: April 15, 2017

Finish date: May 14, 2017

Discussion: "Let us Chat a Moment!"

Why we're reading this: Tied for 1st place
American/English Group Read
Genre: Romance novel
[close] Tied for 1st place
American/English Group Read
Genre: Romance novel

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What Members Thought

Mar 22, 2012 midnightfaerie rated it really liked it

Shelves: classics, rory-gilmore

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Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen is probably my favorite of the main Austen books so far. At first I had a hard time getting into it but eventually I found I had a vested interest in Colonel Brandon. My favorite character by far, I found myself attracted to Brandon as well as liking his personality, virtue, and his propensity to persevere even in the face of a young, beautiful, naive, and utterly stupid woman who refuses to see his highly admirable quali Click here for Jane Austen Disclaimer

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen is probably my favorite of the main Austen books so far. At first I had a hard time getting into it but eventually I found I had a vested interest in Colonel Brandon. My favorite character by far, I found myself attracted to Brandon as well as liking his personality, virtue, and his propensity to persevere even in the face of a young, beautiful, naive, and utterly stupid woman who refuses to see his highly admirable qualities. I was much gratified in the ending. My favorite part of the whole book, I think, was when Colonel Brandon tells Marianne he must leave for a few days and she looks at him meaningfully and asks "You won't be gone long I hope?" You can see Brandon's whole countenance change. I think I liked him as much as Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice, if not more.

I related to Elinor the most I think, in the responsibility and level headedness of her personality, even though others might not describe me as such. But I found great joy in hating Fanny. Not allowing her brother to give not even a cent to his sisters, showed just how shallow and materialistic people can be. It reminded me of a woman I met at my last job. Years ago, when I had just gotten engaged, my now husband, bought me a wedding ring with an intertwined engagement ring that separated. He said the single band was for being engaged but putting them together was for after you got married, but I could wear them how I wanted. Wanting to follow tradition, I wore the single band and promised I'd keep the other for after our wedding. This woman saw my single band and said it was "nice". After I told her about the wedding band, she immediately told me I should wear them both now, then make my fiancé buy me another band to add to it for after the wedding. I concurred only because I was in total shock that someone would suggest such a thing. To say the least, I didn't hang out much with her after that. There are some "Fanny's" in this world that place importance on things that are of little consequence.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book, as much as Pride and Prejudice and as much as Persuasion, if not more. Again, I'll leave my final judgment of my favorite for after I read all of Austen's works.

I only saw one movie, the one starring Kate Winslet and Emma Thompson. I really enjoyed it, I think it did the book justice. Not a replacement for the book by all means, but a good rendition. Emma Thompson is one of my favorite actresses, especially for some of the 19th century books made into movies and Shakespeare. I really like Kate Winslet too, although not as much in this movie. Not sure if it was just because I didn't like Marianne as a character on the whole, or if it's my pet peeve when women have died their hair blonde and their eyebrows are dark brown. It really bothers me. Overall book and movie were excellent!
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Apr 02, 2023 Delirious Disquisitions rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance, classics, literature-required-reading, adult, favorite-authors

RTC

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Oct 02, 2011 Zuzana rated it it was amazing

Shelves: jane-austen, classics, romance, re-read

2024 re-read
Listened to the audiobook narrated by Rosamund Pike. Lovely performance. A great book.
This re-read was made more enjoyable by discussing certain aspects with Rebecca and (mostly arguing with) Renuka in the JAJ group. :)

2025 re-read
The re-read was as delightful as ever. Elinor remains a saint, while Marianne comes across as a rash, self-absorbed teenager. Mrs. Dashwood is a rather naïve and neglectful mother. Both (view spoiler) are somewhat ...more

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Jun 14, 2013 Tim Callicutt rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2025-books

As with any work of literature, very much of a specific time and place - sometimes frustratingly so. Privilege abounds, even for the Dashwoods, although Austen’s examination of their tenuous connection to the life of the gentry is fascinating. With that being said, it’s still not hard to be swept up in joys and dramas of the book. Remains my favorite Austen book but I’ll keep reading and let you know if that changes.

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