My original intention for ReadingAusten25 was to reread only the books I hadn’t reviewed yet. But I can’t resist Austen, so here I am reviewing Sense and Sensibility. I am not going to repeat my review of 2022, though, so you can find it here. Instead, I thought I’d look at whether the book struck me differently this time and a little at Claire Tomalin’s point of view (the wobble), as cited by Brona.
It did strike me differently. Although Elinor is still my favorite of the two sisters, they both struck me more extremely this time. Marianne seemed like a true modern teenager, not as much for her reactions to Willoughby but more in her sulking (call it what it is), her rudeness to various kind characters whom she thinks ill-bred, and so on. But the thing is, 16 in the early 19th century meant she was supposed to be an adult, or almost. (Of course, she is also under the influence of the Romantic movement in art, literature, and music.)
As for Elinor, sometimes I felt she carried her comments a little too far, into preachiness. I got a little tired of her dissections of other people’s behavior.
I also appreciate the wit of the novel more. Although I always find Austen witty, she has drawn us some priceless characters and written quite a few zingers.
I am not so sure about Tomalin’s “wobble.” I looked for it but didn’t find much evidence for it unless you count Elinor’s dash out of the room after she finds out Edward isn’t married. I’d like to hear if anyone was struck differently. I remember not agreeing with some of Tomalin’s interpretations when I read her biography of Austen.
What? Me Read? 
I hadn’t heard about the Reading Austen challenge, so thanks for letting me know about it. I was actually thinking of reading some Austen this year anyway, since I’ve only ever read Pride and Prejudice and Mansfield Park (though I know all the stories via film adaptations). I think I’m most likely to join in with Emma later in the year, but maybe I will catch up with Sense and Sensibility too.
Great! I’m looking forward to your reviews.
What is Tomalin’s “wobble”?
There’s a link to Brona’s explanation in my review. I hope I explain it correctly. Claire Tomalin, the biographer, thinks that S&S shows signs that Austen “wobbled” in her preference of sense over sensibility. I couldn’t find much evidence for that except that Eleanor has to run out of the room when she learns that Edward isn’t actually married.
Hmm, I can’t think of anything to suggest that either really, not just in S&S but throughout all her books. She always seemed to make her heroines behave rationally and sensibly – except maybe Catherine in Northanger Abbey.
Yeah, I think so, but I didn’t agree with many of Tomalin’s statements about Austen’s work. I don’t know if she has a literature background, although she’s always writing biographies about literary people.
The wobble was how I found more comfort in the book this time.
Oh, well good!