Sense and Sensibility [简装]

A tale of two sisters

Two sisters of opposing temperaments are brought to a closer understanding by their mutual disappointments—and true love finally triumphs when sense gives way to sensibility and sensibility to sense. Austen’s insightful representation of early-nineteenth-century middle-class provincial life makes her novels the enduring works on the mores and manners of her time.

Amazon.com Review
Though not the first novel she wrote, Sense and Sensibility was the first Jane Austen published. Though she initially called it Elinor and Marianne, Austen jettisoned both the title and the epistolary mode in which it was originally written, but kept the essential theme: the necessity of finding a workable middle ground between passion and reason. The story revolves around the Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne. Whereas the former is a sensible, rational creature, her younger sister is wildly romantic--a characteristic that offers Austen plenty of scope for both satire and compassion. Commenting on Edward Ferrars, a potential suitor for Elinor's hand, Marianne admits that while she "loves him tenderly," she finds him disappointing as a possible lover for her sister:

Oh! Mama, how spiritless, how tame was Edward's manner in reading to us last night! I felt for my sister most severely. Yet she bore it with so much composure, she seemed scarcely to notice it. I could hardly keep my seat. To hear those beautiful lines which have frequently almost driven me wild, pronounced with such impenetrable calmness, such dreadful indifference!

Soon however, Marianne meets a man who measures up to her ideal: Mr. Willoughby, a new neighbor. So swept away by passion is Marianne that her behavior begins to border on the scandalous. Then Willoughby abandons her; meanwhile, Elinor's growing affection for Edward suffers a check when he admits he is secretly engaged to a childhood sweetheart. How each of the sisters reacts to their romantic misfortunes, and the lessons they draw before coming finally to the requisite happy ending forms the heart of the novel. Though Marianne's disregard for social conventions and willingness to consider the world well-lost for love may appeal to modern readers, it is Elinor whom Austen herself most evidently admired; a truly happy marriage, she shows us, exists only where sense and sensibility meet and mix in proper measure. --Alix Wilber --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal
Austen is the hot property of the entertainment world with new feature film versions of Persuasion and Sense and Sensibility on the silver screen and Pride and Prejudice hitting the TV airwaves on PBS. Such high visibility will inevitably draw renewed interest in the original source materials. These new Modern Library editions offer quality hardcovers at affordable prices.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review
Novel by Jane Austen, published anonymously in three volumes in 1811. The book, which Austen initially titled "Elinor and Marianne," tells the story of the impoverished Dashwood sisters. The open and enthusiastic Marianne becomes infatuated with John Willoughby, who seems to be a romantic lover but is in reality an unscrupulous fortune hunter. He deserts her for an heiress, and she eventually makes a sensible marriage with Colonel Brandon, a staid and settled bachelor. Marianne's older sister, the prudent and discreet Elinor, is constant toward her lover, Edward Ferrars, and, after some distressing vicissitudes, marries him. -- The Merriam-Webster Encyclopedia of Literature --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"Excellent intro.--readable, thoughtful."--Robin Feuer Miller, Brandeis University
"A superb scholarly text with a thought-provoking introduction. This is the finest text available. Attractively presented, the price is right and the introduction is genuinely useful for students. Excellent scholarly apparatus: incisive but not cumbersome."--Dr. A.G. Hunter, Curry College
"Excellent but not overwhelming notes, superb introductions, intelligent decisions on textual issues. I especially like the readable type and the reasonable margins for notes!"--David Holloway, Portland State University
"Doody's useful introduction . . . clarif[ies] the complexities of Austen's irony for today's readers."--Thomas A. King, Brandeis University
"Excellent intro. with a helpful bibliography. Convenient size, easy-to-read print, affordable."--Janice Cooke, University of New Orleans
"A very attractive presentation of a classical text."--Justus Rosenberg, Bard College
"An excellent value for the cost."--Ellen M. Casey, Ph.D., University of Scranton
"A most commendable publication that all undergraduates will appreciate and all graduates will esteem."--Dr. Andreas K. Poulakidas, Ball State University
"A very enlightening introductory section and an excellent selective bibliography."--Robert O'Connor, North Dakota State University
"Excellent edition."--Dr. Anne Burley, Towson State University
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.