Sense and Sensibility, here we come

So, I hope everyone enjoyed Northanger Abbey. I have purchased Sense & Sensibility and I have started reading. Several people I know have already read it, and say it is their least favorite of the Jane Austen books, which I find interesting considering it is one of her best known. I am excited to read it, but I guess I am going in with low expectations. I have started reading, and I am on Chapter 5, and so far I really like it. Maybe I am different than everyone else and will really like it!

Finished

I actually finished a couple of nights ago and I did enjoy it - mostly I think because I have not seen a movie version and so the story was completely new to me! So, I would like to make some comments, but I'm beat tonight so I will try tomorrow! Tifani - I love that you marked passages, I should have been more thorough like that!

Let the discussion begin...

Well, I am not sure how we want to conduct this blog session of our book club, but I thought I would mention some of my favorite parts. I love the first line of the book. Just reading that made me decide I need to make sure to be the heroine of my own life. I also loved Jane Austen's little tangents. In chapter 10 (page 58 in my book) I laughed out loud at the line "It would be mortifying to the feelings of many ladies, could they be made to understand how little the heart of man is affected by what is costly or new in their attire." I just thought of the significant amounts of time I have spent in my closet trying to figure out what to wear. I also loved her tongue in cheek style. I love in chapter 14 where she says "To come with a well-informed mind is to come with an inability of administering to the vanity of others, which a sensible person would always wish to avoid. A woman especially, if she have the misfortune of knowing anything, should conceal it as well as she can." Jane, you kill me.

Overall, I really enjoyed the book. I think it had a youthful quality that shows that it was her first book. It isn't her deepest work, but I liked that about it, it was simple and well written. I love the irony of it all, a novel that questions if you can read too many novels. I also love Mr. Tilney. I think he is different from the other Jane Austen heroes, and I like that about him.

Any other thoughts?

Mr. Thorpe casting

So I was thinking Ben Affleck would be a very appropriately annoying Mr. Thorpe, I was watching Dazed and Confused and thought, Ben Affleck is the most annoying person in the world, he can play slimy to a T. Anyhow, that's what I think. On that line of thinking, Jennifer Garner might be decent to play Catherine because she is so sweet and innocent looking and acting. Perhaps that's why they ended up together. Sorry, I watch way to much E! news.

Karina

Let the discussion begin!

Hey Ladies,

I read the book yesterday and now am anxious to discuss Jane Austen's first, most youthful of novels. Has everyone finished? I must say that I like Northanger Abbey much more than I had anticipated and am now quite excited to read the rest of her creations.

As far as who should play dear Mr. Tilney and the rather obnoxious Mr. Thorpe, I am going to re-read the posts about casting, with some help from imdb, so that I actually know who you movie buffs are talking about and then make a recommendation. I am looking forward to hearing from all of you!

--Mindy

You better get a move on!!!

I am anxious to discuss this book, and it is hard if you are only on Chapter 5! There is only a week left in the month! Anyways, I think James MacAvoy is an EXCELLENT choice for Tilney. In fact, I think he is an excellent choice for anything, because after Penelope, I am in love with him. But, I have one other suggestion for Tilney, and that is Rupert Penry-Jones. You will have no idea who he is, but I suggest looking him up. He was actually the lead in the new version of Persuasion, and he is very cute. Thorpe in my mind must be some kind of knuckle dragging fool, I picture him with very big teeth and not being attractive but thinking he is. I haven't decided who that is yet, but I am working on it!

Janna, please, you are very inspiring. I do love your name connection to Austin. I believe that is why you were inspired to start us off. Tif, I did not know there was a BBC version of Northanger Abbey. I will be very interested to watch it after I'm done with the book. Do you know how to get a hold of it? So, Janna, I like your pick for Tilney, and actually, I recognized his name, but I wouldn't have been able to put a face with it, so I'm glad you did! I have decided my Thorpe will be a very young George Costanza (I don't remember his name, Christopher something . . .). With a Cockney British accent I think he would play a sufficiently obnoxious character. So . . . I am just at the part where she is invited to the abbey so I am very excited to see how this plays out . . . no clues for you Janna!

Tilney...

Oh Wait...I think I am going to pick James McAvoy for Tilney. He is my new favorite british actor right now. He just has that certain something... I will think on it some more...I might change my mind.

PS: I think you know who he is, but just in case - he was in Narnia (that half man half goat), Becoming Jane, Atonement (I didn't see it, but he is in it) and Penelope (a fantastic movie which I recommend to all... I've seen it twice and would love to see it again).

I love your POST Carina!

Hey - what a great thought Carina. Way to make the blog interesting (not that it isn't already). I am not yet sure who I would pick for Tilney and Thorpe. But I hate Thorpe. He annoys. So, I will pick someone buggy when I figure out who it is that I will pick...
Tifani and Carina are super speed readers. I am to chapter five, I am taking it slowly ... but I am thoroughly enjoying it.
And, it is fine by me if you call it the Janna Austin book club... just jokes. Did I mention my mom's maiden name is Bennett? I think Jane Austen and I are kindred spirits...but she is much more inspiring!

Ah, the movie...

Carina, I am glad you were able to see the movie. I totally agree with you on the last line, but I was able to forgive due to my love of Hugh Dancy. I am also glad you brought up casting a movie version of Northanger Abbey. I have actually seen the BBC version, but I think casting our own version is a fantastic way to discuss the book. I will have to put a bit more thought into this one...