bradenchu's review against another edition
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
shannenm's review against another edition
3.0
More like a 2.5 but the film is a 5 because Emma Thompson is a 10 in it, and did amazing things with a character primarily characterised by reserve. Not my favourite Austen but one of my favourite Austen adaptations for sure.
holliembg's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
faroreness's review against another edition
This is a book I would need to sit and read in a single sitting, while fully awake, with nothing else to do for about an entire day so I could just get through it in one go. It doesn't feel as compelling or snarky as Pride & Prejudice, and because of this it simply reads so much slower. There are also a lot of characters and I'm just having a lot of issues parsing who is who and how they all connect. Maybe it's just that I've never engaged with this story in another format (movie, TV adaptation, etc.), but something about this one feels so difficult for my mind to grip and engage with.
abigaildejene's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
5.0
manadabomb's review against another edition
3.0
I read this one for a new book club, that I have yet to get to. This time I failed to make it because my car blew a radiator hose and I was unable to make the drive. But I finished the book!
I don't actively seek out Jane Austen because the romantic goo is not up my alley. I want to say that if you go back and re-read any of my Austen reviews, I'll say the same. Usually something has to prod me to read her books.
Jane Austen? Why I go so far as to say that any library is a good library that does not contain a volume by Jane Austen. Even if it contains no other book. ~Mark Twain
Sorry, I had to :)
Sense and Sensibility (hereby known as S&S) focuses on the Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne. I disliked them both. I disliked their brother, his wife, their neighbors and friends. I wanted to actively punch Mrs. Palmer and Lucy Steele. I don't know if this was the desired effect but it was the effect.
Elinor is the steadfast, mature sister while Marianne is the dreamer and self-centered sister. They have moved to Barton Cottage after the elder Mr. Dashwood has passed. The Middletons are their neighbors (re: Sir John "He's as stupid as the weather") and leave little to be desired in the name of entertainment.
The gist, I gather, is the stringent search for a man to marry. Marianne and Elinor both believe they have found their mate only to be disappointed. No one really comes out and says YES HE'S MY MATE, it's all guessed at and hinted at and gossiped about so it's not surprising how jacked up things get.
The ending was a non-surprise and a surprise. In the end though, I have to say the characters, as much as I disliked them and would never want to be near such people in real life, entertained with their audacity and shallowness.
A great audio version of this is available at Librivox.org. Look for version 4 by Karen Savage. It really is excellent.
I don't actively seek out Jane Austen because the romantic goo is not up my alley. I want to say that if you go back and re-read any of my Austen reviews, I'll say the same. Usually something has to prod me to read her books.
Jane Austen? Why I go so far as to say that any library is a good library that does not contain a volume by Jane Austen. Even if it contains no other book. ~Mark Twain
Sorry, I had to :)
Sense and Sensibility (hereby known as S&S) focuses on the Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne. I disliked them both. I disliked their brother, his wife, their neighbors and friends. I wanted to actively punch Mrs. Palmer and Lucy Steele. I don't know if this was the desired effect but it was the effect.
Elinor is the steadfast, mature sister while Marianne is the dreamer and self-centered sister. They have moved to Barton Cottage after the elder Mr. Dashwood has passed. The Middletons are their neighbors (re: Sir John "He's as stupid as the weather") and leave little to be desired in the name of entertainment.
The gist, I gather, is the stringent search for a man to marry. Marianne and Elinor both believe they have found their mate only to be disappointed. No one really comes out and says YES HE'S MY MATE, it's all guessed at and hinted at and gossiped about so it's not surprising how jacked up things get.
The ending was a non-surprise and a surprise. In the end though, I have to say the characters, as much as I disliked them and would never want to be near such people in real life, entertained with their audacity and shallowness.
A great audio version of this is available at Librivox.org. Look for version 4 by Karen Savage. It really is excellent.
eidelizreads's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This is not just a book about two sisters with contrasting personalities. It's also about the different coping mechanisms of people in times of tribulation during the period that this story took place. It's about the different ways an individual comes out of an adversity that changes tilts their entire world as they know it. What I loved the most about this book is the touches of feminism in it, hidden between the lines of sarcasm and irony and just simply beautiful Austen writing. This is the first Austen book that I've read and I am definitely in love with her writing. Starting this summer I decided to take a break from classics because it feels like it has become an obligation not a hobby, but I have a good feeling that any Austen book will be an exception.
I highly recommend everyone to read this. Although, fair warning, it's not a romantic story. I mean it is but it's not what it's all about.
As this is a classic there's no "strong" character development, not as monumental as let's say Kaz Brekker's in Six of Crows or Percy Jackson or The Beast from Beauty and the Beast, but it did involve a certain growth between the sisters. Elinor learned how to feel her feelings and let herself love Edward in her own passionate way while Marianne learned to adhere to social standards, the propriety of things during her time, to let love occur to her in time and to not only think of herself but also of the people who love and care for her instead of how she used to be in the beginning. Although I am against conformity to the society, I am in agreement with her becoming less self-absorbed and becoming more aware and grateful of the people who care and love for her through thick and thin.
Also, John Willoughby is a coward, a vain lecherous and parasitic, even, man. While Edward Ferrars is s honorable, loyal and brave, basically everything Willoughby was not. And the fact that we have no idea that he was like that because he was an action-oriented man. Actions speaks louder than words, as they say. I just love how Jane Austen perfectly portrayed that in her book.
I highly recommend everyone to read this. Although, fair warning, it's not a romantic story. I mean it is but it's not what it's all about.
Spoiler
As this is a classic there's no "strong" character development, not as monumental as let's say Kaz Brekker's in Six of Crows or Percy Jackson or The Beast from Beauty and the Beast, but it did involve a certain growth between the sisters. Elinor learned how to feel her feelings and let herself love Edward in her own passionate way while Marianne learned to adhere to social standards, the propriety of things during her time, to let love occur to her in time and to not only think of herself but also of the people who love and care for her instead of how she used to be in the beginning. Although I am against conformity to the society, I am in agreement with her becoming less self-absorbed and becoming more aware and grateful of the people who care and love for her through thick and thin.
Also, John Willoughby is a coward, a vain lecherous and parasitic, even, man. While Edward Ferrars is s honorable, loyal and brave, basically everything Willoughby was not. And the fact that we have no idea that he was like that because he was an action-oriented man. Actions speaks louder than words, as they say. I just love how Jane Austen perfectly portrayed that in her book.
caitlinfern's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5