One of your best quotes: ‘Everyone should reread, rereading is the best!’ Such a true line. I often feel like others don’t get why rereading a good book is so satisfying.
One of the many reasons that I love Jane Austen's books so much, is that there is so much more to them than romance. Of course, I never thought of what the author that you were quoting came up with! S & S is my third favourite JA novel, after P & P first and Emma second 😊. Thank you for everything you have shared - helping me to become more educated!
I’ve just finished reading it today. This was my last Jane Austen novel that i had left to read and I really loved it! For me I think I’ll rank it number 2 in between Emma, my favorite Austen novel, and Mansfield Park
Really perceptive analysis! S&S was the first Austen novel I ever read and it was the sisters' relationship that drew me in - I didn't find Edward or Col. Brandon romantic in the slightest - and I'll definitely be flashing back to your comments here the next time I reread this book.
I read Sense & Sensibility this month and really loved it!! I appreciated all the points you made in this video and highlighted some ideas I hadn’t thought about!
It's been 2 years since my last reread, and your suggestion of looking at the (pseudo) sibling relationships really helped. You've tempted me to reread it!
This month, I reread SS for the third time. I also looked more closely at JA's commentary on sense and sensibility, the corresponding Enlightenment and Romantic philosophies, and satire of the Sentimental novel. I also noted her mixture of pain and pleasure. JA's observations are so sharp and timeless! Edward also teases Marianne with his realistic views of the countryside versus her Romantic and picturesque effusions. It amazes me that JA could see the folly of the Romantic Era even though it was only beginning. SS mirrors my teenage relationship with my, then, drama-queen sister. Currently, I place SS in a tie with Persuasion at third/fourth.
You have me intrigued! I just listened to you and Nick talk about Noerthanger Abbey which is third on my list….below that would be S&S tied with Persuasion. Mansfield Park coming in last. Looks like I have some re-reading to do. Great videos!!
I have the book, but only after watching the 2008 BBC TV series and then listening to the Rosamund Pike audio book on Audible as you mentioned. One thing connected to Willoughby and Edward, which I have read elsewhere in various articles is discussion of the theme of men in relationships. If we take the Sense/Passion dichotomy you used, we could almost see both Edward and Willoughby as so far pushed towards Sense, that they(sadly like many men today) are lacking self knowledge of their emotional state(i.e Passion). I feel this in my own life. What I feel this means, especially with Willoughby, is that a reason why the romances are unsatisfying, is that the men don't have emotional courage to pursue them and maybe that is Jane Austen's point. For Willoughby, there is a possible reading at end, where he realises that Marianne may have been his best chance at happiness but that being brought up as "Rake" made him push her away. For Edward, its the fact that its only Lucy Steele abandoning him, that frees him to go to Elinor, he never says to Lucy, " Sorry but I want to be with Elinor." I feel that therefore the romances are made deliberately unsatisfying by Jane Austen as a commentary on men and the issue of their emotional self knowledge within or going for relationships.
This is great!! I had never thought before about those "sense and sensibility" pairings of other siblings - what might have happened if Sir John had married Charlotte, and Mr. Palmer had married Lady Middleton?? The couples as they are do certainly balance each other out, but it's interesting to think about!
Great comments Katie. I’m currently listening to Sense and Sensibility (4th time) for me. This is my 3rd favorite Jane Austen book followed by Persuasion and my favorite Pride and Prejudice. I really agree with your comments about it not being about the romance, but I too believe the different relationships. What was interesting about your comments was the different “sense and sensibility” siblings and in turn, marriages. This was very enlightening. Thanks so much for sharing your insights and I’m glad you have found a greater love for S&S. 💕
This really makes me want to reread sense and sensibility. Will probably put it on my TBR for next July. I'm also excited to read the Paula Byrne book once I've finished all of Austen's novels (only Mansfield Park to go!). I find it really interesting how this was a bit satirical of sentimental novels of the time. I think this is the perfect example of how the context of when/where books were written matters so much and I fear it's something we often ignore!
Brilliant thoughts, Katie--thanks for sharing. S&S has never been one of my favorites, but I understand how a re-read, especially with an outstanding audiobook narrator, can make all the difference.
I read Sense and Sensibility when I was 16/17 for my English novel and didn't really like it. I finally reread it last year and found a whole new appreciation for it. It still ranks as my lowest Jane Austen novel, but I can now say that I like it and it's closer to Emma now in ranking.
I'm rereading it right now as well. I'm also enjoying the Rosamund Pike audio book (I usually love all the Juliet Stevenson audiobooks) and I have very similar feelings about it! Definitely love it way more than I ever did. :)
Very interesting video!! I definitely want to reread "S&S" 🤩 ... Currently reading "Mansfield Park" which I quite enjoy actually ... Very different with "Emma" which entertained me very much and with "Persuasion" which quite disappointed me (too predictable... too "sentimental" for me) 🤗
Having to read a book four times to fall in love with it (Sense and Sensibility, Mansfield Park)...that is a big commitment! I've just finished Persuasion and rated it five stars, ...next July I'll be choosing between Sense and Sensibility and Mansfield Park, the two finished novels of Jane Austen's oeuvre I've yet to read...
I think that might just have been me, and me looking for specific things in it that I wasn't finding, I guess? I was very young when I read Austen for the first time.
As an aromantic Jane Austen lover, I've never really read JA novels for their romances, because that element was the most boring one for me (maybe that's why PP is not very high on my list). I read JA for the historical realism and the psychological study - for me, all the romantic relationships in her books represent life choices, hard reality, obsession, dependence, ego satisfaction, doubts and regret. I might sound like a cynic, but I don't think these things are bad, since human emotions are seldom very pure.
It's my favourite Jane Austen book. Though I love all of them, this was the only one that made me actually emotional... I guess mainly because of Elinor's admirable strength and selflessness. Also I believe Sense and Sensibiliy is the JA's book that delves more deeply inside the character's emotions
I’m so glad you enjoyed it this time! It is my favorite Austen, though to be fair I’ve never finished Mansfield Park. I did reread Persuasion this year and ended up loving it even more this time!
I read S&S for the first time this year and I was very pleasantly surprised, I felt like I was quite annoyed by Marianne's way of being but I finally understood her growth. You are absolutely right with the scenes you mention from the book, the one at the beginning of Fanny D. is hilarious. and the Willoughby scene was intense for me, I remember it made me lose sleep that night I read it🤣 I feel like I hate him but at the same time he is a very magnetic character. By the way, I really enjoyed this video and I loved seeing your point of view of this novel💕
I just read S&S for the first time after reading P&P, and I liked it just as much, even though I feel that P&P is better objectively. I loved that it focused more on Marianne's growth as a character, her relationship with Elinor, and that the romances were not as important as the sister relationship. I feel like it's the introverted cousin of P&P, and like that it deals more realistically with mental health/emotional struggles and kind of wallows in the emotions, which I like (I think I'm the Marianne of my family 😆). And I also found Elinor very similar to Anne Elliot, which I loved. I got out of this what I was hoping to get out of Persuasion, which I didn't like as much.
I just finished Sense and Sensibility for the first time and I think I like it a lot more knowing it is a parody of the sentimental/passion literature of the time. I knew Northanger Abbey was a parody for gothic literature going in and enjoyed seeing those elements throughout the book. These were interesting thoughts on the book!
A couple of things came into my head when I was watching this, and the first one is your comment on the most important relationship in the novel being between Elinor and Marianne; I don't know whether or not you have ever seen the 1995 film version with the commentary on the DVD, but during the section where Marianne is critically ill, I think it is Emma Thompson who says something about how (at that point in the story) the key relationship is between the two sisters. (By that stage, Elinor thinks Edward is about to marry Lucy and Marianne knows that Willoughby is, or is about to be, married, and the plot hasn't progressed far enough to bring Edward or Colonel Brandon back into focus, so Elinor's relationship with Marianne is pretty important at that point where neither of them have anything to hope for, as far as romantic relationships go.) Also, there is a bit right at the end of the novel where we learn that Willoughby was relatively happy with his wife, but often found ways to mention Marianne e.g. by commenting that women he knew were not as attractive as Mrs. Brandon (as she becomes). It always makes me think of someone who can't quite get past what might have been with someone else (or who has a crush on a particular person), so they console themselves by dropping that person's name into conversation whenever they can.
I've seen the 1995 film but not the commentary, interesting to know. It's been a long time since I saw the film as I'm so fond of the 2008 adaptation, but maybe I should give it another watch.
Congrats on 23 k subscribers and this book is amazing and fantastic and I have read it 3 times love you and your amazing channel please stay safe and enjoy your reading 📖 xxxx
I always thought Sense and Sensibility was very underrated (not as underrated as Mansfield Park but even so) and watching this makes me want to reread Sense and Sensibility and rewatch the 2008 miniseries too!
I need to read that Paula Byrne Jane and the theater. Listening to MP on audio for the first time, I've been struck in some scenes how much Austen uses dialogue alone to convey action and character development..closer to a.play than a novel in those scenes. As for S/S, it's still no 6 for me (MP and Persuasion are tops for me) but u make a compelling case for a reread!
My ranking: 1. Pride and Prejudice 2. Emma 3. Mansfield Park 4. Lady Susan 5. Persuasion 6. Sense and Sensibility 7. Northanger Abbey. Maybe upon reread I'll rank Sense and Sensibility higher!
I reread it earlier this year. There's a stretch about halfway through, around the time Elinor runs into Robert Ferrars while out shopping, where the narrator is especially sarcastic and I found myself laughing out loud a lot.
I love this! 👏🏻 The next time I reread Sense and Sensibility, I'll focus on the sisters' relationship instead of the romantic couples (which kind of falls flat, for me). I reread Emma in June and liked it a lot more than I did previously. 📚 Now if I can just do the same with Northanger Abbey. 🤓
Hi Katie - I am wondering if you could do a video on books that are not SO MUCH about romance. For example I am reading He Knew He Was Right at the moment but am not enjoying it because there's TOO MUCH about relationships and romance. I much prefer books that have a story, plot, some adventure etc!
Hmm, let me have a think. A lot of 19th century classics do have some element of a love story in them (which is something that I do love). Maybe give J. Sheridan Le Fanu a try - he is a bit less love story focused, or try some Robert Louis Stevenson or Dinah Mullock Craik. If you haven't read the Sherlock Holmes stories, you might enjoy them.
My problem with S&S was always the age of the Dashwood sisters. In particular it seemed appalling to me that a 17 year old should marry someone of 35. However, I came to see it as a case of that was then and this is now. Mrs Bennett in P&P had been looking out for a husband for Jane since she was 15, whereas nowadays, everyone would be discouraging teenagers from forming long term relationships, and Marianne really is a typical teenager.
I think it's worth trying to reframe the ages - like 17 at this point in time was young but not considered super young. I often think of 16 as the Regency period's 21, so I guess it'd be more like someone 22/23 going out with someone ten years older than them, which would be slightly unusual but would have a very different feel than 17 and 35. Every now and then, though, I think about the fact than Brandon is 35/36 and Mrs Dashwood is 40 and wonder if maybe they'd be a better couple instead XD
@@katiejlumsden Yes! And I suppose the screen adaptations don't help. Alan Rickman was 49 and Kate Winslet 20 when the (utterly brilliant) Ang Lee film was made. Gemma Jones (Mrs Dashwood), however, was about Alan's age. I suppose we have to sideline our modern ideas and just wallow in the joy of it all.
You're saying some of Jane Austen's books took a while to grow on you makes me less bad that I have to read Persuasion three times to change my mind about it. If you think about the love story is Elinor and Marianne's.
Jane Austen's novels are not love stories! They are more akin to comedies of error/manners & the social novel. The adaptations being Rom-Coms is pure nonsense.
I think that a love story is a pretty major element of all the books, but especially P&P, Emma and Persuasion - but yes, there are absolutely so, so many other things going on, and they are much more comedies of manners and social critiques than anything else.
This is the absolute worst of the Jane Austen novels for me. I really can't find any redeeming characters in here with maybe the exception of Elinor. Marianne is just completely worthless. She nearly ruins her family in her behavior and then makes a complete spectacle of herself. Essentially she is Lydia Bennet with maybe a little bit more morals but not much. Her mother is essentially Mrs. Bennet as she seems to encourage her daughter in her impropriety. Edward is just bad. He flirts with a girl while he is secretly engaged with another (which is bad enough as if you are not willing to declare your intent to marry you shouldn't be engaged at all) and his excuse is that the girl wasn't reacting the way she should? He is more villain than hero. You have Colonel Brandon who seems to only like Marianne because she reminds him of a girl he loved. Frankly I see no reason why those two got together. He is 35 and she is 16 (and a completely immature 16 at that). Aside from that the plot kind of meanders on and can be very hard keep interested in it. If this had been my first Jane Austen novel I may never have read anymore of her books. Thankfully it wasn't. You are right that a few of the minor characters are interesting but it is not enough to rank this book above any other Jane Austen novels.
One of your best quotes: ‘Everyone should reread, rereading is the best!’ Such a true line. I often feel like others don’t get why rereading a good book is so satisfying.
I’m with you . I love to revisit my favorites and bests. I’m going to re-read The Manticore soon, won’t be the first or second time🌝
I just love rereading so much :)
Great discussion! I love Sense and Sensibility and feel like it doesn't get enough attention for how fantastic it is!
One of the many reasons that I love Jane Austen's books so much, is that there is so much more to them than romance. Of course, I never thought of what the author that you were quoting came up with! S & S is my third favourite JA novel, after P & P first and Emma second 😊. Thank you for everything you have shared - helping me to become more educated!
Oh Katie. Now I have to reread Sense and Sensability to spot everything you pointed out. And that’s why I love your videos!
Haha I'd definitely recommend a reread :)
I’ve just finished reading it today. This was my last Jane Austen novel that i had left to read and I really loved it! For me I think I’ll rank it number 2 in between Emma, my favorite Austen novel, and Mansfield Park
Emma is also my favourite Austen novel! I need to reread S&S, it's been ages since i read for the first time.
Great video. Thanks!
Really perceptive analysis! S&S was the first Austen novel I ever read and it was the sisters' relationship that drew me in - I didn't find Edward or Col. Brandon romantic in the slightest - and I'll definitely be flashing back to your comments here the next time I reread this book.
I read Sense & Sensibility this month and really loved it!! I appreciated all the points you made in this video and highlighted some ideas I hadn’t thought about!
This is one of my favorite videos you've done. Love the perspective on rereading and your enthusiasm for S&S.
Thanks very much! It's such a great book.
It's been 2 years since my last reread, and your suggestion of looking at the (pseudo) sibling relationships really helped.
You've tempted me to reread it!
I do recommend giving it a reread :)
This month, I reread SS for the third time. I also looked more closely at JA's commentary on sense and sensibility, the corresponding Enlightenment and Romantic philosophies, and satire of the Sentimental novel. I also noted her mixture of pain and pleasure. JA's observations are so sharp and timeless! Edward also teases Marianne with his realistic views of the countryside versus her Romantic and picturesque effusions. It amazes me that JA could see the folly of the Romantic Era even though it was only beginning. SS mirrors my teenage relationship with my, then, drama-queen sister. Currently, I place SS in a tie with Persuasion at third/fourth.
Robert Ferrers is my favourite character ever!!! “My dear Madame”!!😆😆😆
I am re-reading S&S this week🤗 Thanks so much for this video! It has made me even more excited.
You have me intrigued! I just listened to you and Nick talk about Noerthanger Abbey which is third on my list….below that would be S&S tied with Persuasion. Mansfield Park coming in last. Looks like I have some re-reading to do. Great videos!!
I have the book, but only after watching the 2008 BBC TV series and then listening to the Rosamund Pike audio book on Audible as you mentioned. One thing connected to Willoughby and Edward, which I have read elsewhere in various articles is discussion of the theme of men in relationships. If we take the Sense/Passion dichotomy you used, we could almost see both Edward and Willoughby as so far pushed towards Sense, that they(sadly like many men today) are lacking self knowledge of their emotional state(i.e Passion). I feel this in my own life. What I feel this means, especially with Willoughby, is that a reason why the romances are unsatisfying, is that the men don't have emotional courage to pursue them and maybe that is Jane Austen's point. For Willoughby, there is a possible reading at end, where he realises that Marianne may have been his best chance at happiness but that being brought up as "Rake" made him push her away. For Edward, its the fact that its only Lucy Steele abandoning him, that frees him to go to Elinor, he never says to Lucy, " Sorry but I want to be with Elinor." I feel that therefore the romances are made deliberately unsatisfying by Jane Austen as a commentary on men and the issue of their emotional self knowledge within or going for relationships.
This is great!! I had never thought before about those "sense and sensibility" pairings of other siblings - what might have happened if Sir John had married Charlotte, and Mr. Palmer had married Lady Middleton?? The couples as they are do certainly balance each other out, but it's interesting to think about!
Great comments Katie. I’m currently listening to Sense and Sensibility (4th time) for me. This is my 3rd favorite Jane Austen book followed by Persuasion and my favorite Pride and Prejudice. I really agree with your comments about it not being about the romance, but I too believe the different relationships. What was interesting about your comments was the different “sense and sensibility” siblings and in turn, marriages. This was very enlightening. Thanks so much for sharing your insights and I’m glad you have found a greater love for S&S. 💕
Thanks :)
Personally, I think Sense and Sensibility is better than Pride and Prejudice.
This really makes me want to reread sense and sensibility. Will probably put it on my TBR for next July. I'm also excited to read the Paula Byrne book once I've finished all of Austen's novels (only Mansfield Park to go!). I find it really interesting how this was a bit satirical of sentimental novels of the time. I think this is the perfect example of how the context of when/where books were written matters so much and I fear it's something we often ignore!
Brilliant thoughts, Katie--thanks for sharing. S&S has never been one of my favorites, but I understand how a re-read, especially with an outstanding audiobook narrator, can make all the difference.
A reread can always make such a difference!
I read Sense and Sensibility when I was 16/17 for my English novel and didn't really like it. I finally reread it last year and found a whole new appreciation for it. It still ranks as my lowest Jane Austen novel, but I can now say that I like it and it's closer to Emma now in ranking.
I'm rereading it right now as well. I'm also enjoying the Rosamund Pike audio book (I usually love all the Juliet Stevenson audiobooks) and I have very similar feelings about it! Definitely love it way more than I ever did. :)
That's it. I'm rewatching the 2008 adaptation tonight and keeping what you said in mind :)
Very interesting video!! I definitely want to reread "S&S" 🤩 ... Currently reading "Mansfield Park" which I quite enjoy actually ... Very different with "Emma" which entertained me very much and with "Persuasion" which quite disappointed me (too predictable... too "sentimental" for me) 🤗
Loved "Mansfield Park" so much! Brilliant 💖
Having to read a book four times to fall in love with it (Sense and Sensibility, Mansfield Park)...that is a big commitment! I've just finished Persuasion and rated it five stars, ...next July I'll be choosing between Sense and Sensibility and Mansfield Park, the two finished novels of Jane Austen's oeuvre I've yet to read...
I think that might just have been me, and me looking for specific things in it that I wasn't finding, I guess? I was very young when I read Austen for the first time.
As an aromantic Jane Austen lover, I've never really read JA novels for their romances, because that element was the most boring one for me (maybe that's why PP is not very high on my list). I read JA for the historical realism and the psychological study - for me, all the romantic relationships in her books represent life choices, hard reality, obsession, dependence, ego satisfaction, doubts and regret. I might sound like a cynic, but I don't think these things are bad, since human emotions are seldom very pure.
I love her love stories but yes, there are SO many other things I adore in her novels.
It's my favourite Jane Austen book. Though I love all of them, this was the only one that made me actually emotional... I guess mainly because of Elinor's admirable strength and selflessness. Also I believe Sense and Sensibiliy is the JA's book that delves more deeply inside the character's emotions
I’m so glad you enjoyed it this time! It is my favorite Austen, though to be fair I’ve never finished Mansfield Park. I did reread Persuasion this year and ended up loving it even more this time!
I read S&S for the first time this year and I was very pleasantly surprised, I felt like I was quite annoyed by Marianne's way of being but I finally understood her growth. You are absolutely right with the scenes you mention from the book, the one at the beginning of Fanny D. is hilarious. and the Willoughby scene was intense for me, I remember it made me lose sleep that night I read it🤣 I feel like I hate him but at the same time he is a very magnetic character. By the way, I really enjoyed this video and I loved seeing your point of view of this novel💕
I just read S&S for the first time after reading P&P, and I liked it just as much, even though I feel that P&P is better objectively. I loved that it focused more on Marianne's growth as a character, her relationship with Elinor, and that the romances were not as important as the sister relationship. I feel like it's the introverted cousin of P&P, and like that it deals more realistically with mental health/emotional struggles and kind of wallows in the emotions, which I like (I think I'm the Marianne of my family 😆). And I also found Elinor very similar to Anne Elliot, which I loved. I got out of this what I was hoping to get out of Persuasion, which I didn't like as much.
I just finished Sense and Sensibility for the first time and I think I like it a lot more knowing it is a parody of the sentimental/passion literature of the time. I knew Northanger Abbey was a parody for gothic literature going in and enjoyed seeing those elements throughout the book. These were interesting thoughts on the book!
I so agree about Willoughby being the most psychologically complex of all Jane Austen's rakes. Such a fascinating and despicable character!
A couple of things came into my head when I was watching this, and the first one is your comment on the most important relationship in the novel being between Elinor and Marianne; I don't know whether or not you have ever seen the 1995 film version with the commentary on the DVD, but during the section where Marianne is critically ill, I think it is Emma Thompson who says something about how (at that point in the story) the key relationship is between the two sisters. (By that stage, Elinor thinks Edward is about to marry Lucy and Marianne knows that Willoughby is, or is about to be, married, and the plot hasn't progressed far enough to bring Edward or Colonel Brandon back into focus, so Elinor's relationship with Marianne is pretty important at that point where neither of them have anything to hope for, as far as romantic relationships go.) Also, there is a bit right at the end of the novel where we learn that Willoughby was relatively happy with his wife, but often found ways to mention Marianne e.g. by commenting that women he knew were not as attractive as Mrs. Brandon (as she becomes). It always makes me think of someone who can't quite get past what might have been with someone else (or who has a crush on a particular person), so they console themselves by dropping that person's name into conversation whenever they can.
I've seen the 1995 film but not the commentary, interesting to know. It's been a long time since I saw the film as I'm so fond of the 2008 adaptation, but maybe I should give it another watch.
Congrats on 23 k subscribers and this book is amazing and fantastic and I have read it 3 times love you and your amazing channel please stay safe and enjoy your reading 📖 xxxx
Thanks, John!
@@katiejlumsden no worries 😉
I have just started a reread of Sense and Sensibility. I love your idea of Mr. Palmer as a Mr. Darcy who married the wrong woman!
I do find Mr Palmer quite fun!
I always thought Sense and Sensibility was very underrated (not as underrated as Mansfield Park but even so) and watching this makes me want to reread Sense and Sensibility and rewatch the 2008 miniseries too!
I need to read that Paula Byrne Jane and the theater. Listening to MP on audio for the first time, I've been struck in some scenes how much Austen uses dialogue alone to convey action and character development..closer to a.play than a novel in those scenes. As for S/S, it's still no 6 for me (MP and Persuasion are tops for me) but u make a compelling case for a reread!
My ranking: 1. Pride and Prejudice 2. Emma 3. Mansfield Park 4. Lady Susan 5. Persuasion 6. Sense and Sensibility 7. Northanger Abbey. Maybe upon reread I'll rank Sense and Sensibility higher!
I reread it earlier this year. There's a stretch about halfway through, around the time Elinor runs into Robert Ferrars while out shopping, where the narrator is especially sarcastic and I found myself laughing out loud a lot.
I do enjoy that bit :)
I love this! 👏🏻 The next time I reread Sense and Sensibility, I'll focus on the sisters' relationship instead of the romantic couples (which kind of falls flat, for me). I reread Emma in June and liked it a lot more than I did previously. 📚 Now if I can just do the same with Northanger Abbey. 🤓
Thanks :) Northanger Abbey is my least favourite too now!
Hi Katie - I am wondering if you could do a video on books that are not SO MUCH about romance. For example I am reading He Knew He Was Right at the moment but am not enjoying it because there's TOO MUCH about relationships and romance. I much prefer books that have a story, plot, some adventure etc!
Hmm, let me have a think. A lot of 19th century classics do have some element of a love story in them (which is something that I do love). Maybe give J. Sheridan Le Fanu a try - he is a bit less love story focused, or try some Robert Louis Stevenson or Dinah Mullock Craik. If you haven't read the Sherlock Holmes stories, you might enjoy them.
My problem with S&S was always the age of the Dashwood sisters. In particular it seemed appalling to me that a 17 year old should marry someone of 35. However, I came to see it as a case of that was then and this is now. Mrs Bennett in P&P had been looking out for a husband for Jane since she was 15, whereas nowadays, everyone would be discouraging teenagers from forming long term relationships, and Marianne really is a typical teenager.
I think it's worth trying to reframe the ages - like 17 at this point in time was young but not considered super young. I often think of 16 as the Regency period's 21, so I guess it'd be more like someone 22/23 going out with someone ten years older than them, which would be slightly unusual but would have a very different feel than 17 and 35. Every now and then, though, I think about the fact than Brandon is 35/36 and Mrs Dashwood is 40 and wonder if maybe they'd be a better couple instead XD
@@katiejlumsden Yes! And I suppose the screen adaptations don't help. Alan Rickman was 49 and Kate Winslet 20 when the (utterly brilliant) Ang Lee film was made. Gemma Jones (Mrs Dashwood), however, was about Alan's age. I suppose we have to sideline our modern ideas and just wallow in the joy of it all.
You're saying some of Jane Austen's books took a while to grow on you makes me less bad that I have to read Persuasion three times to change my mind about it. If you think about the love story is Elinor and Marianne's.
Some books just take a few rereads to grow on you, I guess :)
Jane Austen's novels are not love stories! They are more akin to comedies of error/manners & the social novel. The adaptations being Rom-Coms is pure nonsense.
I think that a love story is a pretty major element of all the books, but especially P&P, Emma and Persuasion - but yes, there are absolutely so, so many other things going on, and they are much more comedies of manners and social critiques than anything else.
This is the absolute worst of the Jane Austen novels for me. I really can't find any redeeming characters in here with maybe the exception of Elinor. Marianne is just completely worthless. She nearly ruins her family in her behavior and then makes a complete spectacle of herself. Essentially she is Lydia Bennet with maybe a little bit more morals but not much. Her mother is essentially Mrs. Bennet as she seems to encourage her daughter in her impropriety. Edward is just bad. He flirts with a girl while he is secretly engaged with another (which is bad enough as if you are not willing to declare your intent to marry you shouldn't be engaged at all) and his excuse is that the girl wasn't reacting the way she should? He is more villain than hero. You have Colonel Brandon who seems to only like Marianne because she reminds him of a girl he loved. Frankly I see no reason why those two got together. He is 35 and she is 16 (and a completely immature 16 at that). Aside from that the plot kind of meanders on and can be very hard keep interested in it. If this had been my first Jane Austen novel I may never have read anymore of her books. Thankfully it wasn't. You are right that a few of the minor characters are interesting but it is not enough to rank this book above any other Jane Austen novels.