Sense and Sensibility

by Jane Austen
3 stars
Classic, Historical Fiction
Setting: England
409 pages
Published 1811

Ellie's Review
I enjoyed this book, but it's not my favorite Jane Austen. Since I wasn't a big fan of one of the male characters, I wasn't too excited about a female character falling in love with him. Other than that, the contrast between the two sisters was really interesting. This made for a good book club discussion.

Book SummaryMarianne Dashwood wears her heart on her sleeve, and when she falls in love with the dashing but unsuitable John Willoughby she ignores her sister Elinor's warning that her impulsive behaviour leaves her open to gossip and innuendo. Meanwhile Elinor, always sensitive to social convention, is struggling to conceal her own romantic disappointment, even from those closest to her. Through their parallel experience of love—and its threatened loss—the sisters learn that sense must mix with sensibility if they are to find personal happiness in a society where status and money govern the rules of love.