Jane Austen's first published novel, Sense and Sensibility is a wonderfully entertaining tale of flirtation and folly that revolves around two starkly different sisters, Elinor and Marianne Dashwood. While Elinor is thoughtful, considerate, and calm, her younger sister is emotional and wildly romantic. Both are looking for a husband, but neither Elinor's reason nor Marianne's passion can lead them to perfect happiness—as Marianne falls for an unscrupulous rascal and Elinor becomes attached to a man who's already engaged.
Startling secrets, unexpected twists, and heartless betrayals interrupt the marriage games that follow. Filled with satiric wit and subtle characterizations, Sense and Sensibility teaches that true love requires a balance of reason and emotion.
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"I must say I really loved this book. It is a tough book to get into and a little confusing, but once the plot begins to unwind, I found myself getting engrossed. I remember Pride and Prejudice being a bit stuffy and overly dramatic, and I am the kind of person who finds weak women who depend on others for their financial support and social status annoying. Austen's women dwell on who they can capture as a lover and future husband and seem to have little backbone. Of course, this is part of the time period, but these plots often seem trivial in light of other issues in the world. However, I have to say this book delighted me. The Dashwood family, mother, Elinor, Marianne, and Margaret, are left bereft of great funds by their father's death. The story focuses primarily on Elinor and Marianne who both fall in love with men who toy with their emotions. Elinor and Edward Ferrarr, her half-brother's brother, begin a relationship which is never declared openly, and Elinor and everyone else assumes they are engaged, although those words are never actually uttered. Similarly for Marianne, who at 17 is a spunky and imaginative young lady, she falls in love with Willoughby, a young man of great conceit and self assurance. Soon it is known that each of these men declare their engagement for another woman chosen for her financial assets. This news is revealed by other than the men to whom the Dashwood girls are assumed to be connected, making the pain more intense. Marianne goes into a great depression, catches pneumonia, and almost dies, but Elinor bears up well and hides her pain from others and cares for her sister. It is fascinating to read of two impoverished, spurned women instead of women who are wealthy, snooty belle of the balls. Elinor is a master of inner strength and self -control and thinks of others instead of her own great hurt, while Marianne basks in self-pity and thinks of little besides her own pain. Needless to say, as with Austen's heroines, the ending redeems both women with an unforeseen twist, and Marianne sees the error of her self-absorption to the exclusion of all else."
— Marcia (5 out of 5 stars)
" It was great to spend my summer in Austen. A most for all Janeites. "
— Tarina, 2/20/2014" Will admit saw movie first and fell in love with Alan Rickman. "
— Emily, 2/19/2014" This comes right after Pride & Prejudice for me. "
— Natasha, 2/18/2014" This was going to be a 1* but, I changed my mind and gave it 2 purely because the story itself is actually quite good and if written differently I am sure a 3 or 4* would have been given. I know this is a classic and it was written a very long time ago and I know that there will be people out there that strongly disagree with me, but, to be honest, I am glad I live in the 21st century! "
— Kathryn, 2/18/2014" love affair is no longer a fairy tale. "
— Smarbars, 2/17/2014" i read S&S and sea monsters first. i didn't really like that one (i thought zombies fit into pride and prejudice better than the sea monsters fit into S&S) in the classic version... i was very meh. i definitely like Mansfield Park and Emma and P&P better. "
— Sara, 2/17/2014" Not my cup of tea -- but I appreciate the author. "
— Bran, 2/16/2014" My favourite author. Of course I love it! "
— Helen, 2/16/2014" SO handy to have these all in one little book!! "
— Judy, 2/16/2014" I think we all need a moment in life during which we wander aimlessly on the moors (or was that Wuthering Heights?) in the pouring rain yelling "Willoughby!" "
— Addison, 2/15/2014" This novel is my favorite Jane Austen book! If you are a fan of Pride and Prejudice, you must read Sense and Sensibility! "
— Esther, 2/14/2014Jane Austen (1775–1817) is considered by many scholars to be the first great woman novelist. Born in Steventon, England, she later moved to Bath and began to write for her own and her family’s amusement. Her novels, set in her own English countryside, depict the daily lives of provincial middle-class families with wry observation, a delicate irony, and a good-humored wit.
Wanda McCaddon (d. 2023) narrated well over six hundred titles for major audiobook publishers, sometimes with the pseudonym Nadia May or Donada Peters. She earned the prestigious Audio Award for best narration and numerous Earphones Awards. She was named a Golden Voice by AudioFile magazine.