Sense and Sensibility

Another classic tale of romance and society from Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility is a wonderful story filled with subtle humour, hypocrisy, and many a sharp twist of the plot. 

Elinor and Marianne Dashwood are two very different, penniless sisters. Elinor is reserved and her character is one of Augustan detachment whereas Marianne is a disciple of the Romantic Age and lives her life in a whirl of passion. Struggling to support themselves as well as their mother and sister Margaret, the girls have less that five hundred pounds left to them from their father and no dowry to speak of, something that is highly unattractive in their society. Elinor and Marianne both have very different opinions about love, but as each one falls head over heels, they learn that sometimes it is better to forego one’s sense and give into one’s sensibility. 

I found this book so much easier to read than Emma or Pride and Prejudice. The subtle and sardonic humour that Austen uses gives the text a voice and, therefore, causes the reader to completely identify with and understand the characters and their world. It’s really a very clever book as it highlights the hypocrisy of society at the time and blatantly puts forth the notion that, nine times out of ten, it is better to hang one’s sense and manners and just go with their gut feeling. 

What is really lovely about this book is that it is filled with memorable characters, most of which we come across in everyday life and therefore, can identify with. There are the heroines: one reserved, one very passionate, then there is the gentlemanly and handsome though deeply modest Colonel Brandon. Mr Willoughby is the flamboyant and charming flower with a snake hiding beneath it, and Mrs Jennings is the gossiping ninny whom everyone tries to avoid. It’s such a wonderful mix of characters and makes for very entertaining reading. 

The other brilliant thing about this book, that is rather different from Austen’s other books, is that the story and drama moves rather quickly and the story gets you hooked right away. 

Filled with romance, drama, quick twists and turns of the plot, ladies, gentlemen, and cads, Sense and Sensibility is delightful read, ideal for a couple of hours of curling up in a snug corner and becoming completely absorbed into another world. It’s definitely one that I would read again. Love it.