] ] Anyway, after all that, what are your first impressions of the characters?

] Well, I've read the book before and knew the characters now. But when I read the book for the first time, I liked Elinor, Marianne (yes, even if her behaviours were not always proper), Edward, and Colonel Brandon.

I agree with both Kristen G and Emmeline about Elinor, Edward and Brandon. I go back and forth with Marianne, all that dramatic posing seems a bit shallow, and she does act improperly, but she does try to help Elinor at times. The person I am strongly drawn to this time, (3rd read) is Sir John. Though he seems shallow, he does go out of his way to assist the Dashwoods, more than their more immediate family. He does want to help the Miss Dashwoods find husbands and he is kind to them even if he is a bit rough with his jokes. I like him very well indeed.