Sense and Sensibility Book Review.

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Title: Sense and Sensibility.

Author: Jane Austen.

Gene: Christian Romance, Classic.

Plot: The Dashwood girls, Elinor, Marianne and Margaret, and their mother are suddenly left at the mercy of their half-brother and his selfish wife when their father dies. The ladies stay in their home with their brother and his unpleasant wife for several months before an invitation from a relation of Mrs. Dashwood’s offers them a cottage on his grounds to live in; Mrs. Dashwood consults her eldest and the offer is accepted though the growing relationship between Edward Ferrars, the “amiable” brother of the unpleasant Mrs. John Dashwood, and Elinor is interrupted by this move.

However, the family settles down in their new home and they make friends with their landlord, Sir John Middleton, and his wife who, of course, invite them to dine with them at their house frequently and where they make the acquaintance of Mrs. Jennings, Lady Middleton’s mother, and Colonel Brandon, Sir John’s good friend who was described by him as “neither very young nor very gay” for Sir John had hopes of introducing the pretty Dashwood girls to a roomful of eligible young gentlemen. Shortly after their arrival, Marianne manages to sprain her ankle and is rescued by a handsome young gentleman named Willoughby who is another good friend of Sir John.

Over the next few months, Marianne and Willoughby become very close friends while Colonel Brandon, who has fallen in love with Marianne, looks on silently. Those two act quite ridiculous when in public and while Marianne’s regret at leaving her home is softened by the society of her lover, Elinor is not so fortunate. She and Colonel Brandon take comfort in each other’s conversation and become good friends. Mrs. Dashwood takes pleasure in seeing Marianne so happy and Margaret amuses herself to her delight. However, their good time ends rather suddenly for Colonel Brandon is called away to London on urgent business and shortly after that, Willoughby also goes to London on business. Marianne is devastated. Her smiles, however, return for a short time when Edward Ferrars pays the family a visit.

When Edward’s visit has ended, another is paid the Middletons by the Miss Steeles and one in particular, Lucy, takes an interest in Elinor and confides an important secret to her that deeply wounds poor Elinor. No time is spent in grieving, however, as the two elder Dashwood girls accept an invitation to visit London with Mrs. Jennings and there they are reacquainted with the Colonel and Marianne receives a severe blow when Willoughby writes and tells her he doesn’t love her. The Colonel tells Elinor about Willoughby’s true character and the combined effects of all this drama leaves Marianne seriously ill. She survives and her character is forever altered, for the better, because of the active year which this classic novel covers in the Dashwood family.

Likes/Dislikes: This is a great book and it’s wonderful to see Marianne’s transformation from a romantic little goose to a sensible young woman like her elder sister. A classic that everyone should have a copy of on their shelves.

Rating: PG-13 and up for the reading level.

Date Report Written: August 6, 2010.