Posted by Barbara on June 11, 1997 at 16:20:17:
I have heard many JA enthusiasts say that Sense & Sensibility is not their favorite, and some go even farther and say they do not like it very well.
I guess I can see why it isn't the favorite. I would have to rate Pride and Prejudice as my favorite of all novels, ever, and I'm sure many of you feel the same!! And I guess I would put Persuasion in the top five, if not the top three!!! I know many of you would put Emma at either # 1 or #2, and this leaves S&S in fourth place for most JA fans! (Personally, I prefer it to Emma, but I also love Emma ) But even a 4th place JA novel, is in the top 10 or even top 5 of all books I've read, and that's not bad.
I'm wondering why some people seem not to like this novel as much as the others? Let's leave P&P out of it, for the sake of discussion. I've heard some say it is not as mature and well thought-out as the other novels (understandibly so, as it was an early effort). I've also heard the opinion that the two heros, Edward and the Colonel, are too sketchily drawn and flat, and absent for most of the novel. This is not my opinion, but I do admit to being heavily influenced by the movie in my appreciation of the novel. (but I read the novel first. I don't know why, but I always make myself read the novel first)
I'd be interested in hearing others' opinions!!!!
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