Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Pros: classic, sisterly love, fun writing
Cons:
Trigger Warnings: Adult/minor relationship, Misogyny, Sexism, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Death, Pregnancy, Death of parent, Medical content
I have decided to try and read more classic novels so I have been casually tossing a few into my usual mix. When this collection popped up AND was free with my current membership, I felt like it was a great place to start. I loved the Pride and Prejudice films (2005 over everything) and there is something about Jane Austen that really sucks me in.
This collection includes 6 Jane Austen novels. They are abridged but the books are performed rather than simply read. I don't typically enjoy this but as for the first book, Sense and Sensibility, I didn't mind it. I think it makes the story more enticing to readers who don't tend to go for this type of novel.
The books included in the collection are:
Sense and Sensibility
Pride and Prejudice
Mansfield Park
Emma
Northanger Abbey
Persuasion.
I began at the beginning with Sense and Sensibility so let's start there!
The story follows the Dashwood sisters Marianne and Elinor who in the wake of their father's death, find themselves really worried at their circumstance. With very little money to their names and no means of providing for themselves, they are very distraught and worried about who and when they will marry. Throughout the story we meet other characters, namely John Willoughby who Marianne falls in love with, Edward Ferrars who Elinor is in love with and Colonel Brandon an older gentleman who would be a "good match" for Marianne. ::pukes::
Marianne is more of a bleeding heart character and her sister, Elinor is more practical. Throughout the book we get to see their dynamics play out; Marianne is frequently emotional. We often see her pining, stressed, euphoric and heartbroken while Elinor is viewed as the more cynical, down to earth, rational sister but the whole time, she is also suffering too.
The entire story gives a really good glimpse of how bleak it was to be a woman on her own in this time. Society, social and financial standing, sexism all played major parts in the livelihood of these women as far as their survival and basic needs were concerned. Toss in some deception, greed, jealousy and scandal and it is just a big bundle of chaos. As Marianne said, "I must feel—I must be wretched" and that kind of sums up most of the book. I love a dramatic moment though and thoroughly became engrossed in their misery and woe. I shouted "fuck you Willoughby" on several occasions and honestly... how fun is that?
Next up in this collection, I will be reading/listening to Pride and Prejudice. I have read this one before but want to refresh my memory and hear this specific performance before reviewing. Stay tuned for the next installment!