Alright, so I just finished reading this book, and it is my first Jane Austen novel ever. I have to say, I am quite pleased, I find the characters so realistic and I can definitely relate to what Elinor and Marianne go through. I'm tired of all those cheesy romantic stories that fail to recognize the reality and complexity of relationships, so this novel to me was very refreshing. To those who've read it, I'm curious, what are your favorite characters and moments?

Also to Jane Austen fans, what do you think of this book in comparison to her other novels? I'm not sure which ones are worth reading the most..

_________________
<center></center>
<center>"To die for love, what could be more glorious?"
-Marianne Dashwood</center>
^made by yours truly

_________________




^ By me and my SS *squiggle hugs*

Gah! This is my favourite Jane Austen novel! The story is so human, yet at the same time it holds an almost fairytale-esque quality. The book as a whole was quite good, but one of my favourite parts is the difference between the scene in which Willoughby carries Marianne back to the house after spraining her ankle, and Colonel Brandon carries her back to the Palmers in the rain. One act is almost like a knight-in-shining-armour moment, whilst the other is done out of love. *dreamy sigh*

Obviously, my favourite characters are Elinor, Colonel Brandon, and Marianne [after she gains some common sense at the end].

After Sense and Sensibility I would suggest reading Pride and Prejudice. It's the next best in my book, and the story is very well known.

I read part of it and it was good.

_________________

Faith isn't the ability to believe long and far into the misty future.
It's simply taking God at His Word and taking the next step Joni Erickson Tada

I love Sense and Sensibility and Jane Austen books in general. My favorite is Pride and Predjudice, but I also really like Mansfield Park and Emma. Persuasion is good so far but I am not finished with it yet!

_________________
"Begone if you be not deathless! For living or dark undead, I will smite you, if you touch him!"

oh yes, I'm definitely getting more into Jane Austen novels after this one! I feel like the characters are so real and natural. No artificial drama, just real issues that real young women went through back then (and today).

I have to say my favorite character by far is Elinor. Some would say she is stoic, maybe a little bit reluctant to show her feelings, but I can completely sympathize with that. She's such a strong person, I mean to be abandoned by someone you cared for is so difficult, but she decided to carry on with her life and not let anyone bring her down (something Marianne couldn't do). She's kind of my role model and I hope to be as strong as her one day. Also, I do love how throughout Marianne's difficulties she puts her own grief aside to tend to her sister.

As far as the men, I have a great respect for Colonel Brandon, as I feel I can definitely relate to the nice-but-forgettable reputation he has. I think Willoughby is just a jerk, but Edward improves by the end.

I think I will read either Pride & Prejudice or Emma next, just as soon as I finish Wuthering Heights...

_________________
<center></center>
<center>"To die for love, what could be more glorious?"
-Marianne Dashwood</center>
^made by yours truly

_________________




^ By me and my SS *squiggle hugs*

I really like that, too, JF! I love the differences between Marianne and Elinor.

_________________
I am a Shieldmaiden for Christ!

I was Nienor before Nienor was cool. *nods coolly*
Kudos to Kitoky for the fabulous signature set, and art credit to engelszorn.
Who wants to join me in bringing back the lady?

They are very strikingly different, and even though I'm partial to Elinor, I do find Marianne very interesting, and kind of a tragic character. It seems she got the most out of her relationship with Willoughby, but then again she had a terrible recovery period. She's a lot more willing to love than Elinor, but that definitely had its disadvantages. I'm glad though that in the end she grew from the experience and realized what sincere love is like, rather than just the fantasy kind of relationship she had with Willoughby.

Has anyone seen any film adaptations of this? if so, what do you think about them? I really want to watch one but don't really know which is the best.

_________________
<center></center>
<center>"To die for love, what could be more glorious?"
-Marianne Dashwood</center>
^made by yours truly

_________________




^ By me and my SS *squiggle hugs*

so i've totally been itching to watch a film adaptation of this for the past few days, and when I went to Wal-Mart, the '95 version was on sale for $7.50!! So tonight I'm going to watch it and report tomorrow with all my opinions and comments.


yay!!

_________________
<center></center>
<center>"To die for love, what could be more glorious?"
-Marianne Dashwood</center>
^made by yours truly

_________________




^ By me and my SS *squiggle hugs*

I've seen the movie (though I can't remember it well) and skimmed the book (I intend to read it as soon as the situation in my English class allows.) From general character descriptions, it's difficult to decide whther I like Elinor or Marianne more--as far as sympathizing with traits similar to my own goes, I feel like I can be practical and repressed while being ridiculous and romantic on the inside. I think I'm siding more with Elinor currently, but I'll have to see after I read the book.
(And both Colonel Brandon and Edward seem really sweet to me. I can't wait to meet them. )

_________________
<center> all we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us


Thank you for five-plus wonderful years of obsession, friendship and fun

so I saw the movie last night and overall, I thought it was okay. I tend to be somewhat sensitive when it comes to changes in movie adaptations, but I liked the film overall. These are the things I particularly liked:

**Emma Thompson's acting. I think she acted very well, though it was slightly different from what I imagined Elinor to be like. But she seemed very maternal and calm, which are definitely aspects of Elinor's character.

**Hugh Grant as Edward. Again, visually he is not what I expected Edward to look like, but that probably has to do with the fact that I've seen so many Hugh Grant movies . I think he portrayed Ewdard very well, the shy awkawrdness at times, but the sincere concern and kindness at other times. I am overall very satisfied with his performance.

**Pre-abandonment Willoughby. I really enjoy the fact that in this movie they show that Willoughby really did have a good time with the Dashwoods. I hear the new BBC version paints him as a villain from the beginning, but I think there's more to him than that. Willoughby did really have sincere appreciation for them and I think the film conveyed that well.

**Lucy Steele. The actress who portrayed her was almost exactly as I had imagined her. I almost felt like I was reading the book during her scenes!

Ok, here's where I have the issues:

**Emma Thompson's age. As good as her acting was, I couldn't help but feel like she was just too old for the part. True, it is very uncommon for 19 year olds to have such maturityas the character, but I think that's what makes Elinor so special. I would have like to see someone a bit closer in age portray her.

**Post-abandonment Willoughby. So, after Willoughby leaves Marianne we only see him at that one party scene. Though I do like the scene, the fact that he barely appears in the rest of the film doesn't let viewers know how Willoughby feels. He kind of just leaves with no traces behind. I think the scene in the book where Willoughby approaches Elinor as Marianne is ill is so poignant. I think it's so important to get across just how much he suffered and how unhappy he is going to live for the rest of his life.

**Robert Ferrars. Um, is it just me or was this guy just really creepy?

**Colonel Brandon. I don't know much about Alan Rickman, but I have to say there was something about his portrayal I didn't like. Part of it I think is because of his age (he's like what, 50?), but also I felt like he was more boring and sulky than conserved and caring. I feel like they showed him sulking too much to show that he does have a good, strong (emotionally) character. I almost didn't believe Marianne could fall in love with him in the end...Also, I really liked in the book his close relationship with Elinor. That probably could have helped him appear more appealing if that was shown in the movie.

hmmm...I think also one more thing is the fact that the film was limited with time. I'm sure had they more film time it would have enabled them to further develop the characters. But hey, that's the film business!

I probably have lots of other comments about the movie but I can't think of them now. I liked it, but I am curious to see the new BBC adaptation.

_________________
<center></center>
<center>"To die for love, what could be more glorious?"
-Marianne Dashwood</center>
^made by yours truly

I believe the actors portrayed the book characters rather well, and they did it far better than I ever could! Of Sense and Sensiblity's characters, Elinor is my favorite because she's the strong link holding her family together, even sacrificing of herself more than she should to do so. I do believe, though, that Sense and Sensibility is nothing compared to some of Jane Austen's other novels. I found Pride and Prejudice, Northanger Abbey, and Lady Susan to be better, but I think Mansfield Park, Emma, and Persuasion were worse.

_________________
A Elbereth Gilthoniel
silivren penna míriel