![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
juushikaTitle: Sense and Sensibility
Author: Jane Austen
Published: New York: Signet, 1980 (1811)
Page Count: 306
Total Page Count: 16,141
Text Number: 44
Read For: My own enjoyment
Short review: The two Dashwood sisters have opposing temperaments: Elinor is practical and logical, the epitome of sense; her sister, emotional and sentimental, is the embodiment of sensibility. Both fall in love and both are disappointed, and it is only by understanding and changing their natures that they are able to resolve circumstances and find happiness in love. Told with dry, sarcastic wit and a touch of emotion but failing to create true suspense or sympathy, Sense and Sensibility is the second-class cousin of Pride and Prejudice. It is a short and entertaining read, but I'm not left with a strong impression or any desire to reread it in the future.
The writing style is a delight in this book: primarily, the text is a satire and reflection of the times and manages to mock and discuss them in subtle but humorous, dry and cutting language. The satire works well. The book both disparages society: the sudden nature of love, marrying for money, gossip, women, men, social stasis, and wealth are all introduced in straightforward language with slight exaggerations of event and character. The dryness prevents the text from becoming foolish or easy to push aside while the exaggeration proves the point and keeps things interesting. In the end, Austen seems to both ridicule and fondly embrace the mores and customs of her society, and the commentary really is interesting to read.
However, unlike Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility does not create emotional connections or a lasting impact. The strength is in the satire, but the rest of the text is week: the plot is dry, the twists sudden and cliche, and the romances are too satirical to be truly emotional. As a result, this isn't a book that creates fond memories or favorite characters. It's enjoyable, but it's impact is minimal.
On a side note, and perhaps a more personal one, I do want to point out that while Marianne becomes more sensical and thus finds happiness, Elinor doesn't have to become more sensible in order to find joy and marry. There is no clear cut reverse or moderation of natures, here: Elinor receives critique from all sides for being to factual and unemotional, but in the end it is this realism that keeps her emotions in check and saves Marianne's heart. I do have a large bias here, since I try to be rational myself, but I thought that was interesting: I went in fearing that Elinor would be come as overdrawn and melodramatic as her sister, and I was pleased to see that no such change had to occur.
Anyway. The book is tolerable, short, enjoyable, and funny, but it fails to make a lasting impression. It's still worth reading, but I would recomemnd Pride and Prejudice instead. That book ofters more complex characters and more realistic romance/love/suffering/joy/emotion.
Author: Jane Austen
Published: New York: Signet, 1980 (1811)
Page Count: 306
Total Page Count: 16,141
Text Number: 44
Read For: My own enjoyment
Short review: The two Dashwood sisters have opposing temperaments: Elinor is practical and logical, the epitome of sense; her sister, emotional and sentimental, is the embodiment of sensibility. Both fall in love and both are disappointed, and it is only by understanding and changing their natures that they are able to resolve circumstances and find happiness in love. Told with dry, sarcastic wit and a touch of emotion but failing to create true suspense or sympathy, Sense and Sensibility is the second-class cousin of Pride and Prejudice. It is a short and entertaining read, but I'm not left with a strong impression or any desire to reread it in the future.
The writing style is a delight in this book: primarily, the text is a satire and reflection of the times and manages to mock and discuss them in subtle but humorous, dry and cutting language. The satire works well. The book both disparages society: the sudden nature of love, marrying for money, gossip, women, men, social stasis, and wealth are all introduced in straightforward language with slight exaggerations of event and character. The dryness prevents the text from becoming foolish or easy to push aside while the exaggeration proves the point and keeps things interesting. In the end, Austen seems to both ridicule and fondly embrace the mores and customs of her society, and the commentary really is interesting to read.
However, unlike Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility does not create emotional connections or a lasting impact. The strength is in the satire, but the rest of the text is week: the plot is dry, the twists sudden and cliche, and the romances are too satirical to be truly emotional. As a result, this isn't a book that creates fond memories or favorite characters. It's enjoyable, but it's impact is minimal.
On a side note, and perhaps a more personal one, I do want to point out that while Marianne becomes more sensical and thus finds happiness, Elinor doesn't have to become more sensible in order to find joy and marry. There is no clear cut reverse or moderation of natures, here: Elinor receives critique from all sides for being to factual and unemotional, but in the end it is this realism that keeps her emotions in check and saves Marianne's heart. I do have a large bias here, since I try to be rational myself, but I thought that was interesting: I went in fearing that Elinor would be come as overdrawn and melodramatic as her sister, and I was pleased to see that no such change had to occur.
Anyway. The book is tolerable, short, enjoyable, and funny, but it fails to make a lasting impression. It's still worth reading, but I would recomemnd Pride and Prejudice instead. That book ofters more complex characters and more realistic romance/love/suffering/joy/emotion.
