Book Review: Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

ISBN: 1593081251

Published:  July 25th, 2004 (first published 1811)

Publisher:  Barnes & Noble Classics

Read from April 13th to September 5th, 2011

Synopsis from Goodreads:

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.

Review:

As you can tell above, it took me almost five months to get through this book.  The simple reason for that is I spent the first month and a half only reading the book in school.  When school got out for the summer, I rarely picked up the book.  This was because I didn't get that into it.  I read Pride and Prejudice a few years ago and loved it.  I didn't find Sense and Sensibility to be as good.  By the end of the book, I didn't care for the characters all that much.  They were okay, but I wasn't that emotionally vested in them.  I was pleased with the couples but not terribly excited about them.  Overall, this book was just okay.  It wasn't bad, but it wasn't incredibly great either.  I'm still glad I read it though, and I hope to read more of Jane Austen's books in the future.