Sense and Sensibility

[Sophie]

That duel scene was impressive! The duel is hinted at in the story so... :)
I loved seeing Rickman as well! But Grant did nothing for me. Stevens made Ferrars into a man good enough to be a hero! The casting was brilliant for all the characters in the series IMO :)

[Lisa]

Rickman didn't work for me- kept seeing Severus Snape

[Lisa]

Obviously my own issue

[Sophie]

I saw Snape as well but I enjoyed seeing this other side to him. With his voice and manner and appearance he gets cast the bad guy/acts like a bad guy and I enjoyed seeing him in this other role, being the hero who wins his heroine at the end!

[Lisa]

Just couldn't see the good guy, I love him as a bad guy!

[Holly]

Soph wrote: "Parinita wrote: "@Victoria
Lol.... I suppose Btandon was shallow!
I suppose she does learn in the end but I think the best thing about the whole situation was that she was surrounded by good people..."

In response to all the comments of Marianne, I just reread the book and also was surprised at how selfish her character comes across; however, I think it's extremely clear that it's more due to her naiivety/young age, as well as the historical context of romantic ideals, rather than speaking badly of her character. She is self-centered and dramatic, but not a bad person; and once those qualities take her down such a dark road, she does wake up to realize (literally) that she needs to change her ways.

In terms of the movie -- I will always, always love the Ang Lee version and I do think that each and every character is perfectly portrayed. Some perhaps better than they're meant to come across in the book (ex. the men).

[Holly]

Casey wrote: "Diva - do you really think Marianne loved Willoughby or was just infatuated? I think Marianne is in the majority of girls her age then and now. Young girls usually go for the bad guys, the myster..."

I think she was in love with him, as far as she could be in love with anyone at that age, and with as much as she knew about him. Unfortunately she didn't fully grasp how his passionate, no-holds-barred attitude and lifestyle could translate in such a negative way, in his self-centeredness and inability to put anything or anyone--including her--before himself. Once she learns of this side of his character, the person she was in love with no longer exists in the way she thought he did. Her illusion is shattered.

[Holly]

Parinita wrote: "its been a while since I read this... but Elinor never really objects to Willoughby does she? not as a person, right?
she isn't happy the way they behave but doesn't think there anything bad about..."

No, she just remains wary when he abruptly leaves etc. more so than the rest of her romantic family. She always keeps her reservations, even though she wants to believe the best for Marianne's sake.

[Anne]

I do agree that Elinor objects to Willoughby and Marianne purely from a behaviour stand point. When Willoughby takes off and then subsequently gets engaged, she asks Marianne repeatedly whether there was an engagement between them. All along Elinor excuses their behaviour by saying at least they are engaged. When, she finds out that they aren't, she is humiliated for Marianne. She comes to realize the full extent of marianne's impropriety.

[Marcy]

I've just finished reading S&S for the third time, and I continually gain more with each reading of one of Austen's books. This time I enjoyed the book more than ever, and even laughed out loud especially during the last third of the book. My heart is so full and warm after finishing this story. I thought much of the movie with Emma Thompson while reading, and recommend it to everyone who hasn't seen it.

[Marcy]

Amanda wrote: "I'm almost finished with this book for the first time and I have to say I'm having a hard time liking any of the characters.

I just read where Willoughby explains to Elinor his behavior and I'm th..."

I recommend you see the movie with Emma Thompson. It will win you over and enrich your read of the book.