Sense and Sensibility | Jane Austen

Welcome back everyone! Today I will be reviewing a literary classic, Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen. I am so excited to have finished yet another book from one of my favorite authors- but with that comes a dash of sadness, knowing I am that much closer to having read all her works :( However, I can't wait to tell you what I thought!

{This review is completely spoiler-free- read without fear!}

Elinor Dashwood, the eldest Dashwood sister, is sense itself. Logical, even-tempered, and controlled, she approaches everything with a steady mind and an unaffected air, even if her heart is straining within her.

Miss Sensibility, Marianne, is as far as one can be from her sister's even temper. Marianne's feelings roil non-stop, right on the surface where all can see. Her emotions range from violent happiness to crippling grief, and she does nothing to hid them- even when it casts a bad light upon her and her family.

When these two sisters, their mother, and younger sister are forced to leave their family estate upon the death of Mr. Dashwood, they take residence in a small cottage in Devonshire. Elinor has left her heart behind in Sussex; Marianne has just met the hero of her dreams.

But such things cannot be so simple.

The sisters make many a new acquaintance in this tumultuous time of life, and find nothing is straightforward as it seems. In this party of many different personalities, secrets loom, love is betrayed, romance blossoms, friendships are ended and made, and honor is lost. Because- when you put so many young, single people together {and others who fancy themselves all-knowing matchmakers} emotions of all sorts are sure to boil.

This book was more of an emotional ride than a romance. It had me gasping, groaning, exclaiming, and laughing throughout. {my mother can attest, she was snickering as I was making faces and grumbling at the pages}.

It was so fascinating to see how the two very different sisters in Sense and Sensibility handle the same emotional situations. They are faced with the full scale of human feelings during their new phase of life. One handles them well, the other... goes overboard.

I relate best with Elinor. We are both very even-keel and logical {excepting when I feel dramatic- than I get extremely superfluous with falling to the ground in despair and such displays of violent emotion}. But it was very nice to see that sensible and reserved character trait written so well.

We all likely have an emotional person in our lives, and if you know one like Marianne... hold on to your hats! Elinor handles her well, however, and both of them have beautiful character development.

Elinor's care of Marianne is a good reminder to myself that not everyone is like me. I need to learn to meet my loved ones where they need me- even if I simply can't understand why they are so worked up or distressed.

The romance in Sense and Sensibility was not as satisfying as in other Jane Austen works. This may be attributed to the fact that it was her first published novel and that the narrative focuses so heavily on the way the characters deal with emotional circumstances than their love lives. However, the romance seemed undeveloped and lacking. If the relationship drama didn't play such a significant role in the plot- I would've said it was unnecessary to give the characters romantic interests at all, but the book would lose it's foundation if the romance was removed.

Don't get me wrong, there were sweet moments, but I wanted more, and in the end just wasn't as satisfied as I was with Persuasion or Pride and Prejudice by the same author.

I thoroughly enjoyed the pace of the book, which was pretty slow. Sometimes it did drag, but as I have read and matured more, I have begun to deeply appreciate books that cause you to pause and simply experience life with the characters. I could never read so many slow books in a row, but I always appreciate Jane Austen's writing. She draws you in and gives you a window to see what it was like to live in her time- which was not usually fast- paced. Her form of action is delectably real-life {though not necessarily average}: Romantic drama, insufferable acquaintances, and {gasp} dishonorable intentions.

In a world of constant stimulation, it is a beautiful thing to be able to sit with a cup of tea and immerse yourself in something peaceful for a change. Doing so is something I wish to practice more, especially now that summer is approaching, and I will have many excuses not to.

Well, that wraps up my thoughts! Now I have a very important question to answer: Does Sense and Sensibility deserve a spot in my Excellent Library?

Definitely! My personal rating is four and a half stars!

So let me know, have you read this book? If so, what did you think? And if you haven't, do you plan on doing so?

Thank you so much for reading- catch you here next time!

Content Warnings:

~Romance and sensuality:

A character tells a story in which two girls they knew got pregnant out of wedlock.

Rumors circulate a character has an illegitimate child.

There is much gossip of characters love-lives.

Characters are/become engaged.

Characters are dumped/cheated on.

A girl is called a 'hussy' once

~Language:

Several exclamations of the Lord/God's name

A girl is called a 'hussy' once