Sense and Sensibility – A Review

I recently read Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen for a study of England we are doing as part of our homeschool.

Jane Austen lived in England from December 16, 1775 to July 18, 1817. She never married and lived with her family until her early death. She was the seventh of eight children. She had one older sister, Cassandra and six brothers. Her father was the rector of the parish in Steventon for about 40 years. She wrote several other works including, Pride and Prejudice and Emma. All of her works, published in her lifetime, were done so anonymously. The author of the books was known as “a Lady”. Sense and Sensibility was Miss Austen’s first published book.

Miss Austen first started writing Sense and Sensibility around 1795 when she was around 20 years of age. It was then called “Elinor and Marianne”. It was later revised and published in the year 1811 as Sense and Sensibility. The original book, and some copies today, were written in three volumes bound into one book. The first volume contained 22 chapters while the last two volumes each contained 24. Most publications of this book now are printed as one volume with 70 chapters. The Sense and Sensibility I read was an Oxford Illustrated. It was published as close as possible to the original publication in 1811. It even has the old fashioned spelling in it! :) In place of the word “stopped”, the word “stopt” was used.

Sense and Sensibility is about the Dashwood family: Elinor, Marianne, Margaret and their mother. Mr. Dashwood has just recently died. Although he was wealthy he was forced to leave his entire fortune to the girls’ half brother John, leaving them very poor. The family moves to a cottage on the property of Sir John Middleton, a cousin of Mrs. Dashwood. A majority of the book focuses on the two oldest sisters Elinor and Marianne. Elinor is the eldest and is 19 years of age in the beginning of the book. Marianne is nearly 17. The book shows the reactions the two sisters when they each find a man they love and then lose him. Elinor hides her feelings, thereby saving herself and those around her from unhappiness, while Marianne openly shows her feelings, even when it makes everyone including herself miserable. The ending is a very happy one.

One aspect of the book that I really enjoyed was the variety of personalities portrayed in it. Miss Austen did very well in developing her characters in my opinion. My favorite part of the book is the very end. :)

I would highly recommend this book.

Rebekah ~ The Lord’s Daughter

8 comments

  1. BrielleCostumes says:

    Hello Rebekah,

    I just wanted to say that I enjoyed your post very much.

    I am a huge fan of Jane Austen fiction and I have recently finished reading all of her written works…I love the style that she writes in and her heroines seem…so normal and t you can identify with in some degree. Well thank you for the enjoyable post…

    I hope you have a wonderful day!

    Sincerely,

    Brielle

  2. walkbyfaith says:

    That book is on my booklist. Your right, I guess I can pray about school and let God show me how to like it and use it. Thanks so much for your words. :)

    Alycia

  3. SuperAngel says:

    I have been wanting to read that book, but have to read these others that are on my list.

    That is a good review. I just posted one on David Copperfield. IF you want to read it. Have you ever read DC??

    I did have a blast in TN…

    Yeah One Night was a no good movie.

    God Bless and Keep You and Yours!!

    Take Care!!

    Love

    Amanda ~ Siol Enal ~ SUPERANGEL

  4. Jocelyndixon says:

    Hello

    I'm so glad you liked my poem. I was thinking about a few hymns while writing it! LOL You should post soe of your poetry sometime!!

    I'm still not finisihed with S&S but I hope to be soon!! I enjoyed your review. I will do one when I'm done, I think!

    Love your sister in Christ Jesus,

    Jocelyn

  5. Rose says:

    Hello Rebekah,

    That was very good. I haven't read the book yet but I want to.

    I would love to get your opinion on my latest post: Country Girl.

    Love to hear from you,

    ~Rose~

  6. Rose says:

    Hello Rebekah,

    I would love to hear your opinion on my latest post Concerning Hobbits

    Love to hear from you,

    Rose

  7. BrielleCostumes says:

    Hello Rebekah,

    I was just stopping by to say hello and I also wanted to tell you that the voting is open for my costume research post….

    I hope you have a wonderful day!

    Sincerely,

    Brielle

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