Sense and Sensibility in Ashe Library Winter Reading Challenge

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Mar 15, 2009 Suzanne Moore rated it really liked it

Shelves: ashe-winter-challenge, 1001-2006, 1001-2008

The Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne, each respond to love in their own way. Elinor is cautious and reserved with her feelings, while Marianne falls head over heels, boldly confessing love. Set in the England's Victorian age, social class and fortune seem to be more important than love when choosing marriage partners. The sisters of course come from limited resources. Although they both possess beauty and charm, love doesn't come easy. When their father dies, an older step-brother inherits The Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne, each respond to love in their own way. Elinor is cautious and reserved with her feelings, while Marianne falls head over heels, boldly confessing love. Set in the England's Victorian age, social class and fortune seem to be more important than love when choosing marriage partners. The sisters of course come from limited resources. Although they both possess beauty and charm, love doesn't come easy. When their father dies, an older step-brother inherits the manor, and soon the girls move with their mother to a Devonshire cottage.

John Willoughby becomes the desire of Marianne when he comes to her aid after she takes a tumble. At first it seems like mutual love at first sight, but as the novel progresses he rejects her for a wealthier prospect.

Elinor falls for Edward Ferrars, her sister-in-law's brother when he visits the family. In a shy way their walks together leave her hopeful. Elinor later learns that Edward has been engaged for quite awhile to Lucy. Lucy, a friend of a family friend, doesn't know about Elinor's feelings for Edward when she divulges her secret engagement (most secretively) to her. Of course Elinor has enough sense not to expose her own heart and becomes Lucy's confidant to learn all she can about Edward.

As the sisters deal with disappointment and broken hearts the bond between them helps in the healing process. Of course Marianne, who wears her heart on her sleeve, has a most difficult time. Her depression leads her to walking in the rain and she becomes deathly ill as a result. At first I thought she was to die a martyr for her love, then the story takes a delightful twist.

I liked this book better than Pride and Prejudice. Maybe Jane Austen is the kind of writer that grows on you. The secrets each character kept had me intrigued … wanting to read on to see how things would unravel. I also felt drawn to the Dashwood sisters and the sympathy they had for each other.

I hope my review wasn't too revealing. In rereading it so far, I have to deny the urge to tell more. I will say the ending is definitely satisfying and I won't have to worry about these girls. ...more

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Jun 29, 2012 Jim Booth rated it it was amazing

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Dec 10, 2012 April rated it it was amazing

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