‘The more I know of the world, the more am I convinced that I shall never see a man whom I can really love. I require so much!’
A tale of two sisters. I’ve read all of the Austen books over and over, and my favorite varies depending on mood (though it’s usually Pride and Prejudice). The other night, Sense and Sensibility was in a Jeopardy final answer, and I’ve been in the mood to revisit it ever since.
My paranormal romance two book series, (the Gods Behaving Badly series, To Hell with Love and Naughty or Nice) was loosely based on Sense and Sensibility. I love the dynamic with the sisters, one who needs to be a little more expressive, and the other who really needs to rein it in. I’ve always preferred Marianne. Better to throw it all out there and take risks, even if you nearly pay with your life. Plus, she ended up with… well, I won’t spoil it if you haven’t read. Go read it!
Sense and Sensibility:
Marianne 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.
Have you read all of Jane Austen’s novels? Any of them? Your favorite? Are you an Elinor or a Marianne? Would you choose Edward, Willoughby, or Colonel Brandon?
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
Well, my daughter’s name is Darcy Elizabeth… so draw your conclusions on my favorite title from there. I LOVE Jane Austen. I’ve read all of them. We recently discovered that several people in my book club have never read any of Austen’s works, so we’re reading Pride and Prejudice and then Persuasion. I’m SO excited to be able to discuss the books with people who have never read them before.
And I would go for Colonel Brandon. Willoughby is a weasel. Ferrars has no spine. Colonel Brandon is stable, selfless and knows how to show someone that he loves them.
I’m going to confess this because I’m among friends – I’ve never read ANY of them! Shocking, I know…. I have them….but have not read them. One of these days…
So, my opinion is based only on movies and tv series, is Colonel Brandon….though in my shallower moments, I too fall for Willoughby…
I do have a soft spot for that wicked Willoughby. Especially as portrayed by Greg Wise.
He did nothing for me. Seriously. I would have taken myself to the nunnery. And would have stayed there until Colonel Brandon rescued me. Or Mr. Darcy. Or Mr. Knightly. Any of those would have done very nicely. But not Willoughby. Not my cuppa.
Emma. Emma. Emma. But I love them all. And Sense and Sensibility is wonderful. Especially Colonel Brandon!
I know Mr. Knightley is your favorite. I love Emma, too.
Colonel Brandon. And for some reason I picture him as James Purefoy. -=happy sigh=- I hope Kylie is feeling better. xxx
I can’t shake Alan Rickman from the Emma Thompson version.
Wait–did James Purefoy play Colonel Brandon in some version of S&S I haven’t seen??????? Am off to Google this right now. LOVE James Purefoy!
I’ve only read Pride and Prejudice, but S&S is on my tbr pile.
I read P and P the most, and then S and S, and Emma. Persuasion and Northanger Abbey are good, too, but not as frequent for me, and Mansfield Park maybe the least popular with me. Though, not sure why. Maybe I’ll pick it up again.
I have read and loved both of those books. I also answered the Jeopardy question correctly.
My husband and son got it wrong. My daughter and I had it.
Sherri, you are a cruel, cruel woman to ask me to choose between two of my favorite stories! In fact, I can’t. I won’t. I love them both. As for choosing one of those men–it’s always been Colonel Brandon for me.
I know, I know! Sorry. I am a big Colonel Brandon fan, too. Such a great character.