Sense and Sensibility

By: Jane Austen

Narrated by: Anne Flosnik

Sense and Sensibility, Jane Austen's first novel, is an entertaining tale of flirtation and folly that revolves around two sisters, Elinor and Marianne Dashwood. Elinor is thoughtful, considerate, and calm; Marianne is emotional and wildly romantic. Both are looking for a husband, but neither Elinor's reason nor Marianne's passion can lead them to happiness - as Marianne falls for an unscrupulous rascal and Elinor becomes attached to a man who's already engaged.

Startling secrets, unexpected twists, and heartless betrayals interrupt the marriage games that follow. Filled with satiric wit and subtle characterizations, Sense and Sensibility teaches that true love requires a balance of reason and emotion.

Public Domain (P)2008 Alpha DVD LLC

Remember, it isn't a 21st Century novel.

I'm pretty sure I read this book several years ago, but it didn't stick in my memory because I stopped reading it a few chapters in. It seemed to me it had the exact same plot as Pride and Prejudice. But I decided to stick with it this time, and found that the plot is not the same, although the characters are very similar in many ways. In any case, I am glad I stuck with it and finished reading it. It is what it is, a highly successful Victorian novel by a very successful woman author during a time when that was not a common occurrence. It has its flaws and predictable situations, and can only have been written during the period of time it was written. If someone tried to write a novel like this today it would be a complete failure. But taking it in context, one can appreciate it and love it for what it is.

not a big fan of the narrator

I love Jane Austen, and I love book tapes. When I found Sense and Sensibility on Audible, I was excited. Although I listened to this book, I have to say the narrator verged on annoying at times.

Written by the best author, ever

I love all the Jane Austen books - some more than others. This book is extremely well written and the story is great. However it falls down in my list of Jane Austen books because of the injustice done to the character who represents Sense, and her love interest. I can't say any more without spoilers, but read it and see if the injustice turns you off a little. It is overcome and still rates 5 stars because Jane Austen is the best writer ever in the world. Anne Flosnick does an excellent job reading the book.

Okay

This is my second favorite Austen novel, after 'Pride and Prejudice'. It's a lovely story however I just felt the narrator wasn't the right choice. It's amazing how the narrator can make or break a novel. It's worth the price though if you've never read the story.

Good way to "consume" this book

I had trouble getting into the book, but the audiobook allowed me to follow and enjoy this particular Austen.
I much prefer Persuasion and had gotten stuck around 1/4 of the way through Sense & Sensibility in print.
Listen to this if you kinda like Austen. Reader was good.
Good book to listen to while getting other work done.

Interesting historically and literarily.

The novel is interesting for its characters and the intricate plot, but it's just as fascinating for the glimpse of late 18th century morals and mentalities. There are so many outlandish pronouncements on the superiority of good blood and the inferior character and intellect of common birth that it's hard to tell just how aware Austen was of the irony or sarcasm. At times you think she is deliberately sarcastic, at others you fear she may be serious. The same holds true of religion, gender, and other cultural issues. Whether Austen means to be as satirical as she comes across, I don't know, but the novel is worth it for the values that contrast so often with our ideals of egalitarianism.

The story itself is detailed and intricate and full of interesting characters with complex motivations and lots of situational twists. The characters try to solve issues of romance and morality in a culture of stifling gender and class constraints, and the author is brilliant at setting up conflicts and resolving them without stepping outside these constraints. The book in some ways seems to be a criticism of contemporary mores, and in other ways seems an argument for strict obedience to these mores. These constraints make the story even more complex, since many of the sources of conflict come from a society the narrator never wants to actually overcome. It could even be read as a primer on obedience to society's values, no matter the difficulties that causes. The ambiguity of the author's intent make the book even more complex and enjoyable.

The narrator is very good, and her straightforward authoritative style is perfect for the ambiguity of the author's message, since you can never accuse the reader of being sarcastic even when you believe she might be. Well worth the listen.

My favorite way to "read" the classics.

I find something soothing about the narrator of this audiobook. The experience was really wonderful. I am a bibliophile, but sometimes struggle to read the classics; having a reader like this makes the classics come alive for me.

Great Book. Decent Reader. Poor editing

This is a great Jane Austin book. The reader does a fine job. Whoever did the editing did a poor job. Every chapter except the last ends with the last sentence thenChapter X right on top of the last word. It completely disrupts the flow and ruins a great book.

Best of Austen

This is my favorite Austen novel where virtue gets rewarded, and there's hope for even the most self-indulgently melodramatic twit. It's good to come back to the golden oldies now and then.

Sense and Sensibility

Awful! I listened to it to the end to determine if it had any compelling justification for existing. I did not!