Sense and Sensibility, Jane Austen
Sense and Sensibility, Jane Austen
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Sense and Sensibility

Author: Jane Austen

Narrator: Wanda McCaddon

Unabridged: 11 hr 9 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 05/12/2008

Categories: Fiction, Classic

Includes: Bonus Material Bonus Material Included


Synopsis

Jane Austen's first published novel, Sense and Sensibility is a wonderfully entertaining tale of flirtation and folly that revolves around two starkly different sisters, Elinor and Marianne Dashwood. While Elinor is thoughtful, considerate, and calm, her younger sister is emotional and wildly romantic. Both are looking for a husband, but neither Elinor's reason nor Marianne's passion can lead them to perfect 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.

About Jane Austen

Jane Austen was born on December 16, 1775, to the Reverend George Austen and his wife, Cassandra Leigh Austen, in the village of Steventon in Hampshire, England. Though her mother was from a family of gentry, Jane's father was not well off, and the large family had to take in school boarders to make ends meet. The second youngest of the Austens' eight children, Jane was very close to her elder, and only, sister, Cassandra, and neither sister ever married. Both girls were educated at home, as many were at that time.

From a young age Jane wrote satires and read them aloud to her appreciative family. Though she completed the manuscripts of two full-length novels while living at Steventon, these were not published. Later, these novels were revised into the form under which they were published, as Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice, respectively.

In 1801, George Austen retired from the clergy, and Jane, Cassandra, and their parents took up residence in Bath, a fashionable town Jane liked far less than her native village. Jane seems to have written little during this period. When Mr. Austen died in 1805, the three women, Mrs. Austen and her daughters, moved first to Southampton and then, partly subsidized by Jane's brothers, occupied a house in Chawton, a village not unlike Jane's first home. There she began to work on writing and pursued publishing once more, leading to the anonymous publication of Sense and Sensibility in 1811 and Pride and Prejudice in 1813, to modestly good reviews.

Known for her cheerful, modest, and witty character, Jane Austen had a busy family and social life but very little direct romantic experience. Her last years were quiet and devoted to family, friends, and writing her final novels. In 1817 she had to interrupt work on her last and unfinished novel, Sanditon, because she fell ill. She died on July 18, 1817, in Winchester, where she had been taken for medical treatment. After her death, her novels Northanger Abbey and Persuasion were published, together with a biographical notice, due to the efforts of her brother Henry. Austen is buried in Winchester Cathedral.


Reviews

AudiobooksNow review by Stephanie Nichols on 2007-05-02 17:48:33

Juliet Stevenson does a terrific job verbalizing the literary masterpiece that is arguably Jane Austen's most powerful novel. Juliet's British accent is perfect for bringing home the world of Jane Austen. You will not be disappointed with this audiobook.

Goodreads review by Sean Barrs on April 11, 2020

Money. It's all about the money. I mean, why else would you marry someone? In Sense and Sensibility there are three major factors beyond the usual considerations of appearance, personality and character conduct when looking for a marriage in 19th century England. Indeed, what the Dashwood sisters loo......more

Goodreads review by Reading_ on May 12, 2025

*life goals: to be an Eleanor *reality: being a Marianne ⬇️ *Classic example of men being gold diggers: John Willdoughy Not all gold diggers are women *Classic character reference of mean girls and vanity: Lucy Steele *Most underrated character reference in history: Colonel Brandon *Most unsettling romance......more

Goodreads review by Emily on November 01, 2022

While I enjoyed the relationship between the sisters, I didn't care for the romances. Colonel Brandon is <3 but probably not the best match for (view spoiler)[Marianne. I was kinda shipping him with Elinor tbh. There was also no chemistry between Elinor and Edward in the book, only in the tv show. (hide spoiler)] Trying to read al......more

Goodreads review by Ruby on January 29, 2021

I'm not a fan of Jane Austen. I've given her many chances, and do really want to like her work, but am always let down -- until now, that is! I enjoyed Sense and Sensibility so much more than I was expecting to! I still wouldn't rank it on the same level as the Bronte sisters, but the story is sardo......more

Goodreads review by Barry on January 03, 2015

Sense and Sensibility is dense with inactivity.......more