Sense and Sensibility in The Dusty Bookshelf

Aug 05, 2011 Hayley Stewart rated it it was amazing

Shelves: classics, 2012, hayley-dusty-bookshelf

Full review can be found here

The book follows the lives of the Dashwood family: Mrs Dashwood and her three daughters Elinor, Marianne and Margaret from the time of the death of Mr Dashwood through to their having to move out of the family home, Norland, to make way for their rather selfish half-brother (from Mr Dashwood's previous marriage) along with his even worse wife and into a smaller cottage in Devonshire. They are then introduced to Mrs Dashwood's family, the Middletons, who in turn intro Full review can be found here

The book follows the lives of the Dashwood family: Mrs Dashwood and her three daughters Elinor, Marianne and Margaret from the time of the death of Mr Dashwood through to their having to move out of the family home, Norland, to make way for their rather selfish half-brother (from Mr Dashwood's previous marriage) along with his even worse wife and into a smaller cottage in Devonshire. They are then introduced to Mrs Dashwood's family, the Middletons, who in turn introduce them to their circle of friends and then we start to see events unfold.

This book is set mainly from the eldest sister, Elinor's, view on events. She is the most sensible, emotionally reserved out of her and her second sister, Marianne.

Elinor, whilst still residing at Norland, found herself being paid attention by the new Mrs Dashwood's brother, Edward Ferrars and secretly hopes this may continue after the move, even with Mrs Fanny Dashwood informing Elinor's mother that this relationship could never happen. Marianne, meanwhile, has no romantic interests when they move. However, as the more romantic and dramatic of the two sisters, you can be sure that this could easily change. She is 16/17 at the start of the book and full of ideas of how a man should be and what sort of relationship she would look for. A potential suitor, Colonel Brandon, is suitably put down by her as being too old (he is 35) and her descriptions of how she imagines that marriage to be on her part are rather hilarious (she sees herself as more of a nursemaid than a wife). It is after this that she meets Mr John Willoughby, through a rather 'damsel in distress' moment, and they start to be seen as courting by those around them.

From here on the only seemingly constant men throughout this book are those already married and Colonel Brandon.

Austen is really capable of showing the characters growth throughout this book, whether it's Marianne needing to mature or Elinor needing to show her emotions more, even to the point of showing the men noticing that they need to change in order to be happy. This is well written and an enjoyable read with Austen managing to set the scenes well whilst also conveying across Elinor's feelings on every situation she has to face. You really end up feeling for Elinor as she hides her own miseries whilst dealing with Marianne's dramatic reactions to what happens to her.

If you enjoy books from this period then I highly recommend you read this, the same goes for if you have yet to dip your toe in this era but you find you want to. It takes on some problems that are still occuring today (love and the emotions that go with it don't change) and does so from two very different points of view. ...more

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Jan 15, 2012 Jensen Wahlquist rated it it was amazing

Shelves: classics, british

***oh my gosh I can’t believe this old review! I’ve read this 3 times now and it’s probably one of my favorite Austen novels... funny how time changes you huh?

Know your own happiness. Want for nothing but patience -- or give it a more fascinating name: Call it hope.”
― Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility

This book was ok.... A little slow at some parts. About halfway through I couldn't wait to be done. But I did love the characters. And the story. It was simply a good read, nothing compared to Pri ...more

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Oct 23, 2011 Anemoian rated it did not like it

Shelves: terrible

Ok, I think I'll be judged, but I'll say this. Jane Auseten is the Stephanie Mayer of her times. This book was as boring for me as "El Club Dumas". Sorry about that. I thought & hoped that a writer who is read at all British universities shouldn't be so...... boring...... Too long, too many unnecessary words & descripitions, but what is worse - such shallow characters...... My mark is one star, but if I had an opportunity I'd mark it 0-. ...more

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Sep 16, 2011 Kiah rated it really liked it

I rate this Austen novel at 4.5 stars. Elinor is a boss, and Colonel Brandon has all of my heart. However, I wish Marianne and Brandon's relationship could have been developed more sincerely. That being my only issue, I was pleasantly surprised with how easily I was sucked into the story and its characters. ...more

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Oct 21, 2011 April rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: jane-austen-crazy-ness, classics

I think the story would have been better with my own voice, so it's a four...but maybe a three for the actual audio that I picked out to listen to. Couldn't finish...had to Spark Note it! I know...horrible! But...done! ;) ...more

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