Posted by Cassandra on June 14, 1997 at 11:54:04:
In reply to Re: Now that we're discussing all the books...my opinion of S&S posted by Lynne on June 12, 1997 at 16:15:45
I have to admit I found the book more interesting after the film was made. Probably not the best reason to re-read a book---but I was curious as to much was left out of the film, so I did read thru the book once more. As to S&S not beng a great novel--I think that is rather relative. It's still a better book to read than anything that the New York Times Best Seller List has to offer---and I wish that I had been able to write as well at the tender age of 4 and 20 as Jane Austen appears to have been able to. Heavens, I wish I could write that well now at age 39! The second chapter of S&S---Fanny Dashwood's arguments against giving the Dashwood women a generous allowance--ranks up there with any chapter in P&P or Emma, IMHO. So perhaps the rest of the novel falls flat----but if nothing else, S&S gives us an early look at JA's genius and a basis for comparison with the rest of her books.
Yes-Lynne. "People always live forever when there is any annuity to be pad the.."
Granted S&S isn't as sparkling, well-crafted as P&P, or as well-developed as Emma, Persuasaion,..But-there is no mistaking JA's genious. There are moments in S&S which stay with you: Marianne's romanticizing("the more I know of the world, the more I am convinced that I shall never see a man whom i can really love. I require so much!); the Elinor/Marianne conversations(especially the "do you call me happy, Marianne. Ah! If you knew!); vulgar but essentially kind-hearted Jennings, "a widow with ample jointure..nothing to but to marry all the rest of the world.."
JA's wit and spark is everywhere in S&S! And yes-I am a fan of the Will confession scene, one of the most powerful and dramstic scenes JA ever wrote-all of those exclamation marks.."Marianne, looking likr an angel and Sophia jealous as the devil!!
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