Book Review Club - February 2020

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@Barrie Summy

This month I will be reviewing Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen. 

For those that may be wondering if I'm writing a review on a book I read years ago or on a book that I've read multiple times and needed something to write about this month, the answer is no on all counts.  I've only just now finally read this book.

I've known who Jane Austen was for as long as I can remember but I hadn't read any of her books, even though everyone raved about them - I just couldn't imagine enjoying a book that had been writing 150 years ago.  It wasn't until 2006 that I finally read Pride and Prejudice (my review is here if you're interested).  And I loved it!

I read Emma for a class I was taking in 2010.  For me, that was the easiest read of the books I've read so far by Jane Austen.  It was light and fun, in my opinion.

I started another of her books but I couldn't get into it so I won't mention it here - but I still have others I haven't read but hope to at some point. 

It's not that I don't enjoy her books but they're not the easiest to read because the language is different than we use today.  In my review of Pride and Prejudice I likened the writing to that of a text book because every word is important.  You can't just skim through a Jane Austen book.  But that's also something I like about the books.  Ms. Austen doesn't transport you back to the 1800's describing scenery, clothing or other things - it's done in the language she uses . . . you never doubt what century the story is taking place in and I love that about her books.

When Sense and Sensibility was written, it was not written as a historical romance.  In fact it was a contemporary romance when written.  Which is why, when I was reading it, I found myself comparing it to the historical romances I read today.  So much of the stuff written today glamorizes the time.  Instead of being at the mercy of the men in their lives, today's historicals are written as if it was okay for a woman to headstrong and flighty - as if it was encouraged.  Reading Ms. Austen's novels shows how wrong today's writers get it (although that doesn't mean I don't enjoy the stories - they're just not factually accurate to the time periods they portray, in my opinion).

With all that said, Sense and Sensibility is about two sisters who have lost their father and they, along with their mother, have to depend on the kindness of others for housing and other necessities for survival while they attempt to find suitable matches for marriage.  It doesn't dwell on the unfairness of things they endure because it's just how things were back then and that's the frame of reference that Ms. Austen brings to the story.  It also shows how men have to make concessions as well to get along in life during this period of time.  It's not just a well told story, it's a lesson in history.  I loved the book and highly recommend it to anyone who hasn't read it (and I realize I may have been the last hold out in this regard!  :) ).

For more reviews go to barriesummy.blogspot.com.