- Paperback: 384 pages
- Publisher: Penguin Classics; New Ed edition (25 Jan 2007)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0140620427
- ISBN-13: 978-0140620429
- Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 1.4 x 18.1 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 101,309 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Though not the first novel she wrote, Sense and Sensibility was the first Jane Austen published. Though she initially called it Elinor and Marianne, Austen jettisoned both the title and the epistolary mode in which it was originally written, but kept the essential theme: the necessity of finding a workable middle ground between passion and reason. The story revolves around the Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne. Whereas the former is a sensible, rational creature, her younger sister is wildly romantic--a characteristic that offers Austen plenty of scope for both satire and compassion. Commenting on Edward Ferrars, a potential suitor for Elinor's hand, Marianne admits that while she "loves him tenderly", she finds him disappointing as a possible lover for her sister:
Oh! Mama, how spiritless, how tame was Edward's manner in reading to us last night! I felt for my sister most severely. Yet she bore it with so much composure, she seemed scarcely to notice it. I could hardly keep my seat. To hear those beautiful lines which have frequently almost driven me wild, pronounced with such impenetrable calmness, such dreadful indifference!Soon, however, Marianne meets a man who measures up to her ideal: Mr Willoughby, a new neighbour. So swept away by passion is Marianne that her behaviour begins to border on the scandalous. Then Willoughby abandons her; meanwhile, Elinor's growing affection for Edward suffers a check when he admits he is secretly engaged to a childhood sweetheart. misfortunes and the lessons they draw before coming finally to the requisite happy ending forms the heart of the novel. Though Marianne's disregard for social conventions and willingness to consider the world well-lost for love may appeal to modern readers, it is Elinor whom Austen herself most evidently admired; a truly happy marriage, she shows us, exists only where sense and sensibility meet and mix in proper measure. --Alix Wilber, Amazon.com
Product Description
Marianne Dashwood wears her heart on her sleeve, and when she falls in love with the dashing but unsuitable John Willougby she ignores her sister Elinor’s warning that her impulsive behaviour leaves her open to gossip and innuendo. Meanwhile Elinor, always sensitive to social convention, is struggling to conceal her own romantic disappointment, even from those closest to her. Through their parallel experience of love – and its threatened loss – the sisters learn that sense must mix with sensibility if they are to find personal happiness in a society where status and money govern the rules of love.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
While the various cinema and television dramatisations of her books have deservedly contributed to making Jane Austen known and loved beyond the study of her writing in the classroom, it would be a shame to settle for the adaptations and never read those exquisitely written novels.
I have just reread "Sense and Sensibility" and have once again marvelled at the absolute masterliness of Jane Austen's depiction of human feelings, hesitations and dilemmas. Young ladies in 2005 may not make their emotional choices in the same way as Elinor and Marianne Dashwood had to do two hundred years ago, but few contemporary writers show the complexity of emotional relationships with the same precision and insight as Jane Austen. Then as now, the most irresistible men on the surface turn out, like Willougby, to be the most unsuitable ones when you get to know them (and that doesn't make them any less irresistible...); then as now, parents (Mrs Frears) tend to be domineering and unbearable, and yet a part of the equation to be reckoned with; then as now, it may be a good idea to realise that people are very often less predictable than they at first seemed...
But then - and very often not now... - there was the way Jane Austen plotted it all out and honed her sentences like chisels, so that the novel begs to be read aloud.
As of course it would have been once. For those who never have, time to switch off the TV and launch into Jane Austen. Start with this one; take sides with Marianne and with Elinor, marvel at how comic characters like jovial Mrs Jennings and bimbo-ish, semi-literate Lucy Steele remind you of people still very much at large today. Then treat yourself to the even more wonderful "Pride and Prejudice". And then all the others. And bemoan the fact there are only six of them (plus a couple of bits...) And then start all over again.
Magnificent.
I have just reread "Sense and Sensibility" and have once again marvelled at the absolute masterliness of Jane Austen's depiction of human feelings, hesitations and dilemmas. Young ladies in 2005 may not make their emotional choices in the same way as Elinor and Marianne Dashwood had to do two hundred years ago, but few contemporary writers show the complexity of emotional relationships with the same precision and insight as Jane Austen. Then as now, the most irresistible men on the surface turn out, like Willougby, to be the most unsuitable ones when you get to know them (and that doesn't make them any less irresistible...); then as now, parents (Mrs Frears) tend to be domineering and unbearable, and yet a part of the equation to be reckoned with; then as now, it may be a good idea to realise that people are very often less predictable than they at first seemed...
But then - and very often not now... - there was the way Jane Austen plotted it all out and honed her sentences like chisels, so that the novel begs to be read aloud.
As of course it would have been once. For those who never have, time to switch off the TV and launch into Jane Austen. Start with this one; take sides with Marianne and with Elinor, marvel at how comic characters like jovial Mrs Jennings and bimbo-ish, semi-literate Lucy Steele remind you of people still very much at large today. Then treat yourself to the even more wonderful "Pride and Prejudice". And then all the others. And bemoan the fact there are only six of them (plus a couple of bits...) And then start all over again.
Magnificent.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Most people who have read Jane Austen will have read Pride and Prejudice. With a title like Sense and Sensibility, most readers will assume that the two books can be interpreted and enjoyed in the same way. Other than having three word titles that employ alliteration in the first and third words, the two novels are more different than similar.
While Pride and Prejudice is primarily about miscommunication, Sense and Sensibility is about the maturation of two sisters as they find themselves confronted by adversity. The former topic allows Ms. Austen more room to roam, but within the later topic she has plenty of opportunities to display her story telling and comic talents. While maturation is an important sub theme in Pride and Prejudice, you see maturation better developed in Sense and Sensibility.
When their father dies, Elinor, Marianne and Margaret find themselves in exile from their family home with their mother. The family estate had been left to their half brother whom their father exhorted to take care of them. But that promise is soon diluted into doing almost nothing through the selfishness of his wife and his vacillation. A relative kindly offers them a country cottage near his home and takes obvious pleasure in their company.
In this new home, Elinor finds herself entertaining the welcome attentions of Edward Ferrars. Her sister, Marianne, is all aflutter over John Willoughby who seems to be committed to her. In fact, everyone assumes that there will soon be wedding bells for Marianne and Willoughby.
All of these pleasant connections are, however, soon disrupted. Willoughby leaves and ignores Marianne. Elinor finds out an unexpected secret about Ferrars that puts her on her caution in pursuing their relationship. As these complications develop, Marianne soon finds herself distraught. Elinor steps into the breach to try to help her sister regain her equilibrium. Both learn what a broken heart can feel like and adjust in their own separate ways.
In vintage Jane Austen style, all bets are off near the end of the book as characters take unexpected steps that open up new possibilities. There's no one quite like Jane Austen for pulling great twists in her romantic comedies. These twists will cause your jaw to drop.
Try not to compare this book to Pride and Prejudice. It's clearly a lesser work, but one that can certainly be enjoyed in its own right.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
I was quite surprised to find myself reading this. Despite having done English A level I've managed to avoid the whole world of C19th women's novels until now. Having nagged my kids that they ought to read more classics, I thought I'd better give it a go myself. I struggled through the first fifty or so pages - the world Austen writes about is almost as far from mine as, say that of a woman in Riyadh -- but once I'd gotten over the language I found myself really enjoying this. It's really funny, and I was quite unprepared for the studied bitchiness of both author and characters. I think more JA is on the way.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A classic - Austen does it again!
I finished this book on the train this morning, and the last 40 or so pages made it all worth it. I'd only read two Austens prior to this - Persuasion and the wonderful Pride and... Read more
Published on 3 April 2008 by Femmielala
A class of her own
Many of those coming to 'S&S' for the first time will be reading it as a follow up to Pride and Prejudice, and if this is you then you won't be disappointed, although this is a... Read more
Published on 19 Sep 2007 by Pufflehuff
A gorgeous, romantic book with very believable characters.
This is the first Jane Austin novel I have read and I wasn't disappointed.
I saw the film first so I already knew the basic storyline but the book is beautifully written... Read more
I saw the film first so I already knew the basic storyline but the book is beautifully written... Read more
Published on 17 April 2007 by Rhi Wheeler
For me, anything Jane Austen is just great
This is my second favourite Jane Austen's novel after Pride and Prejudice. As usual, i find Jane Austen's style amazing, I loved many characters in the book specially Marian, i... Read more
Published on 19 Nov 2006 by JK
A pleasant read.
I haven't read any of Jane Austen's work (how shameful) despite studying English Literature for A-level. Read more
Published on 14 Aug 2006 by R. Taylor
not her best
Being a big fan of Austen, I was expecting this to be a masterpiece, after all many had proclaimed it as such. However, I was to be greatly dissapointed. Read more
Published on 23 Oct 2005 by "jeremiahsanchez1452"
Boy oh boy!
I have only read a couple of jane Austen's books, but this has to be my favourite. I love it even more than I loved Pride and Prejudice, as it was easier to get into and the plot... Read more
Published on 16 Nov 2003 by Nush
a sensible read
I quite enjoyed this book. The characters were interesting. Elinor, who repressed her emotions in regards to Edward, her prospective lover, and was sensible and did not let... Read more
Published on 28 Oct 2002 by A Viewer
Engaging, but not one of Jane Austen's best
There's nothing really wrong with this book, but it just doesn't work as well as some of her other novels like Pride and Prejudice.I think it's basically down to the characters. Read more
Published on 16 Oct 2001
Hmm.......
Although when I read this book it kept me interested, and there were good points, I felt it did not leave a lasting impression on me like Emma and Pride and Prejudice did. Read more
Published on 14 Nov 2000
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