Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

Some time ago I started reading Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen for the Classics Circuit. I never quite got around to finishing the book, but as a result of Jane Austen Week over at Historical Tapestry I decided that it was time that I finished off those last pages of this book, and I did!

I posted about my initial reactions to the book, but now I thought I would just post something more because I feel quite accomplished that I have finally finished an Austen novel!

My favourite scenes in the later part of the book included where Marianne confesses that she should have been modelling her behaviour on that of Elinor and also this passage:

Elinor made no answer. Her thoughts were silently fixed on the irreparable injury which too early an independence and its consequent habits of idleness, dissipation, and luxury, had made in the mind, the character, the happiness, of a man who, to every advantage of person and talents, united a disposition naturally open and honest, and a feeling, affectionate temper. The world had made him extravagant and vain - Extravagance and vanity had made him cold-hearted and selfish. Vanity, while seeking its own guilty triumph at the expense of another, had involved him in a real attachment, which extravagance, or at least its offspring, necessity, had required to be sacrificed. Each faulty propensity in leading him to evil, had led him likewise to punishment. The attachment, from which against honour, against feeling, against every better interest he had outwardly torn himself, now, when no longer allowable, governed every thought; and the connection for the sake of which he had, with little scruple, left her sister to misery, was likely to prove a source of unhappiness to himself of a far more incurable nature.

One of the things that you hear about Jane Austen's writing is that she is excellent at writing the human condition, but that she has not lost relevance in these modern times. I have to say that when I read the first part of this passage it was very reminiscent of the constant comments that you hear about "kids today"!

I am so glad that I finished the book eventually. Now I need to decide which of her books to read next. I am leading towards Persuasion, but if you strongly recommend another read let me know in the comments.

Rating 4/5

We still have some Jane Austen Week giveaways happening over at Historical Tapestry so head on over for your chance to win!