LoveReading Says
The classic Austen tale brought to life by one of Britain’s best loved actresses, Juliet Stevenson. Charming.
Abridged audiobook edition.
3 CDs
Running Time: 3h 45m
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Sense and Sensibility Synopsis
Discover the story of Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility with this exquisite edition from Union Square & Co.'s Signature Gilded Editions series! The stunning Sense and Sensibility special edition features sprayed edges, color end pages, a built-in ribbon bookmark, and embossed foil cover. The beautiful design and attention to detail set this special edition book apart, whether you're reading for the first time or building a library of your favorite classic literature books.
Marianne Dashwood can't understand her sister. How could the attractive, witty, and charming Elinor fall for the quiet, self-effacing, and rather dull Edward Ferrars? And, if the two are in love, why don't they shout it to the world? Meanwhile, Elinor worries that Marianne's heart-first approach to life will hurt her, especially when it comes to the dashing John Willoughby. The two sisters spar good-naturedly over the merits of full-blown emotionalism versus reticence and self-discipline in matters of the heart. Fond as they are of each other, each is certain that hers is the only true path to love. Meanwhile, both Edward and Willoughby harbor secrets that will force these women to doubt their philosophies, their judgment, and their chances for happiness.
Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility was first published in 1811. The novel explores themes of passion, propriety, and social conventions through the experiences of the Dashwood sisters. Austen's first published novel, it established her as a respected author and has become a literary classic for its wit, insight, and social commentary. Though initially overlooked by critics, the novel provokes thought on gender roles, marriage, and finding balance between reason and emotion. Two centuries later, Sense and Sensibility continues to resonate through its timeless examination of social mores and the conflict between duty and desire. Its relevance today lies in what it reveals about human nature, the complexity of relationships, and the tensions between individual fulfillment and social obligations.
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About Jane Austen
Jane Austen was born on 16 December 1775 at Steventon near Basingstoke, the seventh child of the rector of the parish. She lived with her family at Steventon until they moved to Bath when her father retired in 1801. After his death in 1805, she moved around with her mother; in 1809, they settled in Chawton, near Alton, Hampshire. Here she remained, except for a few visits to London, until in May 1817 she moved to Winchester to be near her doctor. There she died on 18 July 1817.
As a girl Jane Austen wrote stories, including burlesques of popular romances. Her works were only published after much revision, four novels being published in her lifetime. These are Sense and Sensibility (1811), Pride and Prejudice (1813), Mansfield Park (1814) and Emma (1816). Two other novels, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion, were published posthumously in 1818 with a biographical notice by her brother, Henry Austen, the first formal announcement of her authorship. Persuasion was written in a race against failing health in 1815-16. She also left two earlier compositions, a short epistolary novel, Lady Susan, and an unfinished novel, The Watsons. At the time of her death, she was working on a new novel, Sanditon, a fragmentary draft of which survives.
Fellow novelist Katharine McMahon on Jane Austen...
I can't not choose her. And whichever I've read last is always my favourite. The nuance of emotion, the understanding of human nature revealed by Austen constantly delights me. When I reread Sense and Sensibility recently, for the first time Elinor came across as quite prissy and destined to marry a rather spineless husband. I wonder if that was intended?
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