Monday 26 October 2009

Sense and Sensibility

... that sanguine expectation of happiness which is happiness itself.
I adore Elinor Dashwood. Self-possessed and dignified, she does not allow the ghastly Lucy Steele to make a fool of her. Warm and affectionate, she supports Marianne through the bitter blow of Willoughby's betrayal. Perceptive and elegant, she never actually tells her mother to reign it in, but guides her away from her wilder extravagances. Whether the drippy Edward Ferrars deserves Elinor is another question.

I've been out of action with a sickness bug over the weekend. By the time I felt well enough to read again I knew exactly what I wanted. Sometimes, only Jane will do!

8 comments:

StuckInABook said...

Isn't it a wonderful book?
Sorry to hear you've been under the weather - rest, relax, and when you can, read!

LINDA from Each Little World said...

You are right — there are times when only Jane will do. And nothing like a dose of Elinor to get one on the mend.

Darlene said...

Hope you're feeling better soon!

hopeinbrazil said...

Lovely post about a favorite heroine of mine. Yes, you are right. When ill it's nice to have a "teddy bear" of a book that comforts. Mine is another Jane, though - Jane Eyre.

Elaine said...

Every time I read S & S I love Elinor more and more. How she managed not to strangle her irritating sister I do not know. And Edward, well, totally undeserving of such a treasure

Parthenope said...

I love S and S too, and often re-read it when I need a 'comfort' book.I like to speculate about what happened next - I wish there could have been a love affair for Mrs Dashwood, who was only in her early forties.

Anonymous said...

I love Sense and Sensibility, and rereading it is a pleasure because I always find something new to discover about it.

I hope you're feeling better very soon, and that you have more Austen to keep you company while you gain strength.

Vintage Reading said...

Aw, thanks for all your good wishes, I'm back to normal now.

hopeinbrazil, I'm well overdue for a re-read of Jane Eyre. It's a novel that means a lot to me, too.

Elaine, I must admit to a sneaking fondness for Willoughby - he wasn't all bad!

Parthenope, yes Austen didn't do many love affairs for mature women. (Apart from Lady Susan)

Makedoandread, I find something new in Austen each time I read her.