Student Book Review:


Sense and Sensibility - classic

by: Jane Austen


Review done by:

 Jasmine Puicon
Grade 7
Van Antwerp Middle School
Niskayuna, NY

Sense and Sensibility is a terrific classic written by Jane Austen. This classic is a great story that you will never forget.
This story is about the Dashwood family and their life in the 1800's in England. Originally, the Dashwoods lived in a house called Norland. There family consisted of a father, a mother, three sisters and a brother. The names of the daughters were: Elinor, Marianne, and Margaret. The brother's name was John. The Dashwoods were not rich but lived quite well with the money that the father made.
John moved away when he was twenty-two and was married. His wife, Fanny, was a very self-centered woman. When she had her first son with John, she decided that they should move into Norland and that John should kick his family out. John couldn't live with himself if he kicked his family out of their home. So, he decided that they could live with him and his wife until his father died.
About a month later, Mr.Dashwood falls ill and passes away. He leaves to each of his daughters 1,000 pounds, but, gives nothing to his son because John was already rich enough to support his own family. Fanny decides that now is the time to tell John's family that they need to find a new home.
The Dashwoods are sad that they have to leave Norland. Mrs. Dashwood wants to get as far away from Norland as she can. All that her house reminds her of is her husband that is now dead. Elinor is also very upset because she has to leave Norland. Her lover, Edward, lives near there and she will be leaving him behind if they moves. Marianne and Margaret could care less if they moved.
Mrs. Dashwood and her daughters go searching high and low for a new house. They finally find one located in a small town called Devonshire. Their new home called Barton Cottage is pretty far away from Norland, which makes Fanny even happier. John and Fanny help them move all their belongings and give each of the daughters 500 pounds.
As soon as the Dashwoods get to Barton College, they met their new neighbors, Sir John and Lady Middleton. Sir John is a very nice and friendly man. His wife, Lady Middleton, however, is the complete opposite. She is mean and a two-faced person. They met the Dashwoods and invite them to a ball that very afternoon at their home.
At the ball, the Dashwoods meet their other neighbors, Colonel Brandon and Mrs.Jennings. The Dashwoods have a wonderful time and become good friends with their new neighbors.
Colonel Brandon starts to fall in love with Marianne. Marianne starts to visit him more frequently, but still only thinks of him as a friend. Elinor still isn't over Edward. She thinks of him everyday and night. Every time a carriage comes by, she thinks it's Edward coming to visit her. But, it never is. Three months pass by, and still no sign of Edward.
Then, one day, Margaret and Marianne go outside to take a walk. It starts to rain, so they run back inside to the house. On the way there, Marianne slips and twists her ankle. Luckily, out of nowhere, a man comes out and lifts Marianne up and carries her home. As he lays her on a coach, Mrs.Dashwood, Elinor, and Margaret come out to see who this mysterious man is. They find out that his name is Willoughby and that he lives right next door.
From then on, everywhere Marianne goes, Willoughby goes. Soon, all of Devonshire thinks that soon, Marianne will be married to Willoughby. As for Colonel Brandon, his heart breaks every time he sees Willoughby with Marianne.
Later on, Willoughby leaves Marianne without any reason at all. They find out that he has left to London, where his mother lives. Now, it is Marianne who listens to every carriage that comes by thinking that it's Willoughby. Marianne never stops thinking about him. She still thinks that he loves her.
About two months later, Mrs.Jennings invites Marianne and Elinor to go with her to London. They gladly accept that invitation. When they get to London, Marianne goes on a wild search for Willoughby. She finally finds out that he will be attending a ball at Edwards' mothers house. Elinor and Marianne attend the ball, hoping to find their lovers there. Well they do, and they are very disappointed at what they find.
Marianne finds out that Willoughby doesn't love her anymore. He loves someone else, Mrs. Grey, and they are to be married soon. When Marianne finds out, she wants to leave the ball immediately.
From then on, Marianne fall into a deep depression. Elinor stays with Marianne everyday and every night. When Colonel Brandon discovers that Marianne is ill, he comes to London and stays by her side.
Later on, Mrs. Dashwood sends for Elinor and Marianne. She has bad news for Elinor. Edward is being married to Lucy Steele! At the end, everything works out, but if you want to know what happens you have to read the book.
This book was an excellent book because it described everything that the character was feeling with much detail. It's a very challenging book to read. Some other books by Jane Austin are: Emma and Pride and Prejudice. You'll never forget reading Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austin.


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