More Sensible Than The Movies

Jane Austen is now so well known that her name is short-hand for a particular type of chick-lit. In fact, thanks to the movies, it is more likely to conjure up images of Mr Darcy emerging from a lake than the quiet English countryside. Yet, before all of this hubbub there were her words. Her wonderfully composed words.

Sense and Sensibility is the first book written by Dear Jane, which is a little shocking because it is clearly one of her most accomplished. It follows the story of Elinor and Marianne Dashwood, sisters who perfectly embody both common sense and commoner sensibility.

I love the book because at various times I aspire to be both the practical and controlled Elinor and the wild and whimsical Marianne. It’s like one’s thirteen-year-old visage of womanhood compared with your 20-year-old self in the mirror.

Through a combination of unfortunate events and sexist inheritance laws, the Dashwoods are kicked out of their ancestral home and the only way to avoid the poorhouse is for one of the girls to marry, and marry well. Elinor meets a quiet and circumspect young man for whom she harbours a secret desire, and Marianne meets someone else entirely.

While walking on the moors in the rain, Marianne slips and sprains her ankle. A rider on horseback appears and whisks her back home. He’s an enchanting man who talks of nothing but beauty — poetry, music, art. He becomes very close to Marianne during his daily visits and the family suspects they are secretly engaged, and then things begin to go awry.

Austen’s language can sometimes put people off, but she was the Helen Fielding of her time. Some of the scenes in this books are laugh out loud on a quiet subway ride funny. It’s a not good book for you to read because it’s good for you — it’s a good book.

Maybe you thought the movies were enough, or maybe you were put off by an ill-advised grade seven book report, but give her a try. There is a whole world beyond Pride and Prejudice, and trust me — even without Colin Firth Mr Darcy, this book is a delight.

Contact the author here: mick@morningquickie.com