About the Book
-
Author:
- Jane Austen
- Genres:
- Classics
- Man-Woman Romance
Cover Story: Classic
BFF Charm: Big Sister x 2
Talky Talk: Jane Austen
Bonus Factors: Sisters, Friendship
Factor: Age Gap Romance
Anti-Bonus Factor: Greed
Relationship Status: Never Love By Halves
Cover Story: Classic
Our family’s copy is the tie-in edition to the Ang Lee film, which my mother bought when it first came out in 1995. It’s still my favorite Austen adaptation of all time.
The Deal:
Elinor and Marianne Dashwood are as different as sisters can be. When their father’s death leaves them impoverished, they handle it in opposite ways. Elinor organizes the move from manor to cottage, handles their finances, and pretends not to care that the man she loves is engaged to someone else. Meanwhile, Marianne reads poetry, walks in the rain, and falls head-over-twisted-ankle for a dashing stranger who’s not what he appears to be. Must reason and emotion always be at odds, or are they actually better together?
BFF Charm: Big Sister x 2
Marianne used to be my favorite Dashwood, but the older I get, the more I can relate to Elinor. Just because a man sounds awkward reading poetry doesn’t mean he’s incapable of romance. Being honest about your feelings is all very well, but maybe tone it down in front of all the gossipy neighbors? And please, please don’t go out into an impending rainstorm with no jacket or umbrella. As for Elinor, I’d be glad to listen to her, since no one else in her family does.
Swoonworthy Scale: 9
Edward Ferrars and Colonel Brandon are described as neither handsome nor charming, but they’ll keep their promises to the women in their lives no matter the social, financial or emotional cost. What can I say? Honor is sexy. I did take off a point for the Colonel’s condescending comment about “the prejudices of a young mind”, but being the same age as he is now, I kind of understand where he’s coming from.
Talky Talk: Jane Austen
What can I say about this genius of English literature that hasn’t already been said? The rules I learned in creative writing workshops just don’t apply to her. “Show, don’t tell”? This lady loved to tell. She even fast-forwards through the love confessions out of respect for her characters’ privacy. She makes them feel so real, though, that none of these details matter.
Bonus Factor: Sisters
Elinor and Marianne may be opposites, but they’re always there for each other in both the big moments (sickbed vigils, broken hearts) and the little ones (Elinor being polite to their hostess on Marianne’s behalf; Marianne defending Elinor from catty in-laws). They also tease each other relentlessly. When Marianne rhapsodizes about autumn at their old home, Elinor interrupts her with: “It is not everyone who has your passion for dead leaves.”
Bonus Factor: Friendship
Can men and women be friends without attraction getting in the way? Austen answered this question long before Ephron did. Her answer is yes – if they’re in love with other people. Elinor and Colonel Brandon respect and support each other so well that their friends mistake them for a couple, but the mistake only amuses them.
Factor: Age Gap Romance
Some readers might find Colonel Brandon’s feelings for Marianne problematic, in Austen’s time as well as ours. Elinor, who cares about them both, warns that “thirty-five and seventeen had better have nothing to do with matrimony together”. Mind you, this is before the seventeen-year-old in question lives through something that matures her by decades.
Anti-Bonus Factor: Greed
Elinor and Marianne’s half-brother John, his wife Fanny and her family, Elinor’s rival Lucy Steele, and Marianne’s suitor Willoughby are all obsessed with money. The way they rationalize it to themselves and anyone listening makes for some of the greatest satire I’ve ever read.
Relationship Status: Never Love By Halves
Like Marianne, I love my favorite books wholeheartedly, and this is one of them.
Literary Matchmaking
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FTC Full Disclosure: I received no compensation for this review.
