Sense and Sensibility discussion

I read this book many years ago after falling feverishly in love with "Pride and Prejudice". After reading so many rave reviews about it, I decided to give it go. Well, I hated it from start to finish.

If my memory serves me correctly this story is about two ordinary-looking sisters who seek out consolation in one another after being jilted by two unscrupulous men. Boring! I found it wordy and depressing with uninteresting characters who share a lack of humor. I thought if I give it some time to digest my feelings would change as it has with "Persuasion", but to no avail. My thoughts still remain the same.

I wouldn't recommend this to anyone after reading P&P. It doesn't have that same romantic element like her other novels. Definitely my least favorite of the lot. What do you think?

boring? naaaaaaa

I agree , I really hated this book . It put me off Austen for a long time.

Ever see the Twilight Zone episode where two recently deceased teens are in what they believe is a waiting room for their final judgement? Turns out that they're in hell, but some of the people in the same room are in heaven.

Tastes differ. We all enjoy what we enjoy based on our backgrounds, our tastes and a myriad of other factors. I'm sorry if you found Austen boring but there are bits that are genius if one is in the right frame of mind to enjoy them.

Without placing any value judgments on those who do and those who do not enjoy Austen, read what you enjoy and hopefully your reading will also expand your horizons a bit as well.

As emphatically as people venerate Jane Austen, there are others that abhor Stephenie Meyer, I can enjoy reading both. Who's to say I'm not the lucky one?

I didn't hate it, but it IS totally boring. Such a letdown after Pride and Prejudice. :(

Disagree. One of her best, imo. Eleanor and Marianne are such different types and Austen shows the strengths and disadvantages of each. To me, she usually portrays the strength of 'sense' in a way that indicates she identifies with those character traits more; but she is not unsympathetic to 'sensibility.' In fact, her writing indicates that she has felt both, intensely, and pondered how these traits play out in human behavior and interaction.

Like it or not, each can.But the definition of 'boring' may be only a superficial view of what the author wants to convey to the story.
This history certainly is not one of my favorite of the Jane Austen, and for this reason I read more than once the book... Ever With the question in mind: why the story is not so good for me?

I know a lot of Austen fans. They say she has a very wry, subtle sense of humor. But Mathis, I have to agree that (>yawwwwwn!<) it escapes me entirely. It isn't even just this title. I haven't found anything by her that I enjoy, and since it is one of those things literate people seem to be expected to have read, I have tried...and tried...and uhhhh, zzzzz Whoopsie, sorry. This is my roundabout way of saying I agree entirely!

...and I find Pride and Prejudice to be Austen's most overated book(up there with Emma).

Seeeee, different strokes for different folks.

I would not describe Sense and Sensibility as boring. Matter of fact the only novel(of Austen) I would describe as boring is the middle section of Emma. What I find surprising is you can tolerate P&P and call S&S boring. That is a very interesting. There are more engaging characters in S&S: Fanny to bitch slap, Mr. Palmers to high five, Marianne to scold, Elinor to shake...

Marren wrote: "... There are more engaging characters in S&S: Fanny to bitch slap,..." Personally I'm a big softee I feel that Fanny in S&S and Miss Bingley in P&P both need a hug. Try as they might, the world just doesn't turn out the way they were raised to think it would.

You are right Stephen, you are a big softee :) I do not like people who toy with other minds and heart and in the end they are not the least apologetic.

James wrote: "All taste is taste; no one is required to like or enjoy any particular book.

But to call a book boring is to say what, exactly? Does it simply mean you didn't like it?

Can you explain what you..."

Um...the reason could be that it didn't have any of the common themes like smashing banquet balls, a dashing hero, satirical banter nor a Great lady to be feared. And having jaded heroines didn't help it neither. Do not get me wrong, I can appreciate a good sad love story from time to time but this one did not take the cake. It was just a BIG FAT YAWN. Perhaps that would have been a more fitting titled for this thread.

Just because its a classic doesn't necessarily mean its on par with other great American novels. But, I will say this: to each its own.

Hmmm. Never thought of Sense and Sensibility as a great American Novel. But As I said, everyone has different tastes. Some people find the quiet but clueless wholesomeness of Edward Ferrars and the chivalry of Colonel Brandon great reading. And the over the top meddling of Sir John's mother-in-law was kind of fun.

But even I have to admit the addition of Sea Monsters did make it more eventful! Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters

I brought up Stephenie Meyer in my earlier post and her prose is incomparably bad in spots but you have to admit, every chapter of Twilight advances the plot whereas that cannot really be said of Sense and Sensibility And, Mathis I do agree with your closing sentiment. To each his own.

i hate this book and i am actually doing and assessment on it! but it's not super important and i know what i'm doing so im okay but trying to read this book was impossible. i did p&p last year it was okay but yes i agree it was much better than s&s

Stephen wrote: "Hmmm. Never thought of Sense and Sensibility as a great American Novel. But As I said, everyone has different tastes. Some people find the quiet but clueless wholesomeness of Edward Ferrars and the..."


I must say, I'm a fan of the first book of Twilight series. I had a hard time putting it down. Every chapter moved along swiftly and had the tendency to propel the story forward without having a whole lot of nonsense in between. However, I didn't find the rest of the series as interesting, or on the same level as others.

To have you know, whenever I visit the book store I always see Sense and Sensibility and the Sea monsters on the bargaining table in all its comical form. I have thought about picking it up on many occasions, but was always reminded how boring S&S was and couldn't bear to relive the agony.

Pride & Prejudice is my favorite Jane Austen novel, but Sense and Sensibility is my 2nd favorite - I LOVED both of them. Whenever I read another Austen novel, in fact, whenever I read ANY other 19th century novel, I always find myself comparing it to both of these books.

Marren wrote: "...and I find Pride and Prejudice to be Austen's most overated book(up there with Emma).

Seeeee, different strokes for different folks.

I would not describe Sense and Sensibility as boring. Matte..."


Yeah, I felt the middle section of Emma dragged on. I remember wading through it like quick sand. It seemed as if Austen didn't want the story to end, or didn't know how to get it to the right climax which led to whole lot of fluff. But despite that flaw, I still found the story entertaining and colorful. A great book to follow up after P&P, and then Northanger Abbey.

Mathis wrote: "I had read this book many years ago after falling feverishly in love with "Pride and Prejudice". After reading so many rave reviews about it, I decided to give it go. Well, I hated it from start to..."
I agree completely. Such a drudge compared to her other books.Deeptanshu wrote: "I agree , I really hated this book . It put me off Austen for a long time."

I didn't like it too, was horribly slow in many parts on the book, Marianne's continuous gasps and cries drove me nuts, it just didn't live to the standard.

This is my favorite Austen book, by far. I'm not a huge fan of P&P, but I like Emma, Northanger Abbey, and Mansfield Park way more.

It's a slow book, but I like the lazy way we get around to resolving everything. The world is vibrant and intriguing and enlightening to myself, as a modern reader.

Only my opinions, of course, but I would pick this book all day long over Pride & Prejudice.

Jeni wrote: "This is my favorite Austen book, by far. I'm not a huge fan of P&P, but I like Emma, Northanger Abbey, and Mansfield Park way more.

It's a slow book, but I like the lazy way we get around to resol..."


What didn't you like about Pride & Prejudice, if you don't mind me asking? Was it the writing, the characters, or the plot?

I loved this book - there were two romances going on that were a bit "What's going to happen here?" In Pride and Prejudice it would just be ridiculously unfair if Jane and Bingley didn't end up together, I wouldn't say it was predictable but one could have a fairly good guess. In S&S I just didn't know which way it was going to end for Marianne and Elinor

Mathis wrote: "What didn't you like about Pride & Prejudice, if you don't mind me asking? Was it the writing, the characters, or the plot? "

Jane Austen is one of my favorite authors and I read all her books on a regular basis. Therefore, I would say it was probably the characters.

JA is always critical of the cruel fate of women and the over-excess of the Upper Class. I felt like P&P was a greater commentary on how ridiculous the upper class behaved sometimes, even to the point of outright disregard for most people not in their class. Rather than focusing on the best part of the story (at least for me), which is the ability to overcome those differences and find love anyway, I feel overwhelmed by obnoxious characters that liked interfering, something only touched on in a lot of her other stories. Here it feels like an avalanche of offensive characters.

Conversely, Emma appealed to me because she WAS one of these offensive, interfering people and it was a fascinating journey watching her find the balance between kindness and privilege.

S&S just touched me as a richer exploration of the different people involved and a much more satisfying result in the growth of Marianne and her ability to finally understand Elinor's quiet ways. It included the comeuppance of the villain (so to speak) and the ability of the girls to find happiness in ways different than they imagined. It's really Marianne's story of self-discovery: of herself, her sister, and the world. I just really love it.

Long answer-sorry!

Alison wrote: "I loved this book - there were two romances going on that were a bit "What's going to happen here?" In Pride and Prejudice it would just be ridiculously unfair if Jane and Bingley didn't end up tog..."

I agree! S&S was suspenseful. Even thought S&S is not my favorite Austen novel, it's a great one. I just love anything and everything by her and even if not all of her stories are exciting, her writing is just so beautiful and subtly funny. You learn so much about life back in England.

I am around half way through Sense & Sensibility and I have to absolutely agree, so far anyway. This is one boring book. As someone who has read Pride & Prejudice many, many times over and laughed to the point of crying, the only tears I will be shedding during this read will be those of boredom. The Guardian is quoted on the back as saying 'Her funniest novel,' although I would beg to differ. The only moments I raised a smile were when Willoughby carries Marrianne down the hillside and into the cottage and at any appearance of Mrs Jennings. However, she doesn't have a shade on the hilarious Mrs (and Mr) Bennet!
I have read the beginning of this book so many times and then put it aside and forgotten it exists. I just find the pace so slow, nothing has actually HAPPENED, the two protagonists are dull in the extreme and neither possible suitor seems any more exciting.
I do hope this gets better because I fear I may be reading this for some time to come...

Marren wrote: "...and I find Pride and Prejudice to be Austen's most overated book(up there with Emma).

Seeeee, different strokes for different folks.

I would not describe Sense and Sensibility as boring. Matte..."


People who enjoy chick lit love P&P and Emma.

I also think P&P is overrated but its an easy read and a fairy-tale hence so women people enjoy it.

My fav is Persuasion.

I finished this book in three days and I really really liked it. In the beggining it was indeed a bit boring, but after the first 50-60 pages I found myself really drawn to the plot. I loved the characters, there were many different personalities in this book, I loved the plot, there were actually some parts/scenes that got me surprised and shocked. I agree that Pride & Prejudice was better than this one, but I don't think that Sense & Sensibility wasn't good at all. I loved it, just like I did with P&P. I prefered the love story in P&P, and Elizabeth is indeed more interesting as a character than Eleanor, and Mr. Darcy was a great character, but still, I don't think that S&S was not a great book.

Goddess wrote: "Marren wrote: "...and I find Pride and Prejudice to be Austen's most overated book(up there with Emma).

Seeeee, different strokes for different folks.

I would not describe Sense and Sensibility a..."

Persuasion is also my favourite.

I liked Sense and Sensibility because of its intense self study. Two sisters, and both so different in their expressions of love and admiration. The ending was rewarding and it gave me so much more joy than the ending of Pride and Prejudice.

Stephen wrote: "Hmmm. Never thought of Sense and Sensibility as a great American Novel. But As I said, everyone has different tastes. Some people find the quiet but clueless wholesomeness of Edward Ferrars and the..."

I agree the Sea Monsters did add to the plot!! Lol

I picked this book for an English ISU because I have always wanted to get into old english literature. I have to say this book was a terrible way. It was boring for so long and then around the middle it started to pick up, only to go right back to being boring. The only reason I finished it was to finish my ISU.

All of Jane Austen's works are dear to me, and I find a great deal to appreciate in S&S. That said, the real 'love story' in the book is that between the sisters, with their respective romantic interests highlighting the contrasts between their outlooks and coping strategies (in my reading of it). The novel chronicles how familial love can have a profound power, not only to help us cope in life, but also to help us grow in life. As well, it is a rather extended exploration of balances between thought and feeling in human consciousness: they are practically inseperable; but how do they relate, and to what effects? In short, as I consider it anyway, the story is hardly a romance at all: it is a story of familial love in emotionally desperate external circumstances; and a study of how changing one's outlook can change one's life and world.

Boring? I pity you...

I just can't let stand such a dismissive, say-nothing word leveled at a work of fiction few contemporary writers could ever, ever match. Might not be one of JA's best, but it kicks ass compared to the melodramatic pap most contemporary readers consume so delightedly.

Marren wrote: "...and I find Pride and Prejudice to be Austen's most overated book(up there with Emma).

Seeeee, different strokes for different folks.

I would not describe Sense and Sensibility as boring. Matte..."

I agree with Marren! lol

I loved S&S. Unfortunately i have to agree, it is quiet boring.
I read it with an intent to calm myself down from my busy Campus life and it worked. So boring isnt always bad. Dont know if im the only one that feels that way?!.

Maybe some of you mistake slow, deliberately paced and well-crafted prose (also known as 'style') for 'boring'?

Kallie wrote: "I just can't let stand such a dismissive, say-nothing word leveled at a work of fiction few contemporary writers could ever, ever match. Might not be one of JA's best, but it kicks ass compared to..."

I agreee completely!

What we find interesting versus what we find boring is a bit like our sense of taste. Not everyone will like the same things. Some things are just beyond what our palates have learned to appreciate, Others we never develop a taste for.

Some like the dense flavors and textures of fruitcake while other love the airy lightness of a chocolate mousse.

Some have learned to appreciate the distinctive flavours of a good scotch while others care for port and still others would prefer an icy beer. Still others would be appalled by any of these libations.

While its not terribly helpful to say something is boring, it IS helpful to discuss why you find it so or why you don't.

Personally the characters in Sense & Sensibility are interesting to me and the way that the novel allows us a peek into a way of thinking that is now gone makes it well worth reading.

There are many literary works that require much more effort on the part of the reader while delivering much less.

Well thank god there is a thread so everyone can discuss why or why don't they find this story boring.

I personally liked sense and sensibility better than P&P. I felt like the conflict was much more inducing than in P&P. That's just my opinion.

I is not boring, it is just more mature.

I didn't read this one until I saw the movie with Emma Thompson. It was a little dull at first, but I like it for Colonel Brandon.

Lariela wrote: "I didn't read this one until I saw the movie with Emma Thompson. It was a little dull at first, but I like it for Colonel Brandon."

Oh yes, Col. Brandon!!