YA Buddy Readers' Corner ♥ discussion

Marianne Dashwood wears her heart on her sleeve, and when she falls in love with the dashing but unsuitable John Willoughby she ignores her sister Elinor's warning that her impulsive behaviour leaves her open to gossip and innuendo. Meanwhile Elinor, always sensitive to social convention, is struggling to conceal her own romantic disappointment, even from those closest to her. Through their parallel experience of love—and its threatened loss—the sisters learn that sense must mix with sensibility if they are to find personal happiness in a society where status and money govern the rules of love.

Hey, this has been on my shelf for a while so this would be great for me! I've never done a buddy read before.

Ellie wrote: "Hey, this has been on my shelf for a while so this would be great for me! I've never done a buddy read before."

Hey Ellie :) I hope you enjoy! This is a reread for ne but it's been about ten years since I read it.

Ellie wrote: "Hey, this has been on my shelf for a while so this would be great for me! I've never done a buddy read before."

Hi Ellie! I am also reading it for the first time. Happy reading! :)

I'm just starting :)

I've just started the second chapter!

First quarter - (view spoiler)[I both loved and hated how cleverly Fanny dissuaded her husband from giving away any of his money to the women in his family, as well as taking some of their possessions for their own. He easily allowed himself to be won over! (hide spoiler)]

Dannii wrote: "First quarter - [spoilers removed]"

I agree! I think he was looking for any excuse to do it. I already don't like Fanny as a character.

Austen knew the appropriate titles for her works. If someone were to ask me the difference between sense and sensibility, I would take some time to ponder over the question. I mean there are some words that I use and come across quite often and I know what they mean but when it comes to defining them, I am at a loss of words. Austen books’ titles are attributed to the protagonists in her novels. And it’s interesting the way she builds the characters who aptly fit the one-word adjectives specified for them.

Dannii wrote: "First quarter - [spoilers removed]"

I think deep down he didn't want to part with so much money. And I suspect he is not as stupid as he seems. He also didn't want to part with the money. And his wife's advice just made it easier for him to rationalize his selfishness.

Ranting (Beware!)

Isn’t it amazing how unjust the ancestral laws were back then? So, there is a family that takes care of your sick, old ass while you are an ailing widower waiting for a happy death. But that isn’t enough to raze the age-old notions of gender discrimination and patriarchy because you, in your senile, sluggish mind, still think that bequeathing your property to a total, unrelated stranger and his son is better than leaving it to the girls who wiped your butt, cooked meals after meals for you and kept you merry enough with their cheerful disposition and what not. I don’t want to indulge in presentism here but to me, it seems like the laws or mores of the society (especially back then) grew more from anxious attempts by men to maintain the disparity in gender roles than to secure any benefits derived from their superior position in the gender hierarchy.

Chapter 15
(view spoiler)[
Does anyone remember Vronsky from Pride and Prejudice? I have this premonition that Willoughby may turn out to be just like him (I hope not). Even though they may seem apparently different, they are similar in too many ways!

1. Vronsky (V) was charming, winsome and very agreeable and so is Willoughby (W) (sometimes his agreeableness makes him look idiotic. I don't want to sound mean here, but I don't like him that much)
2. Both of them are strikingly handsome and overtly appealing.
3. Both of them disappeared under mysterious circumstances although it's too early to say anything about W.
4. V did not have any immediate blood-relatives or family. And it seems the same for W too, doesn't it?

I know I know I am making too many assumptions but W reminds me so much of V! I can't ignore a growing uneasy feeling that something is definitely fishy with this guy.

Also, I like Colonel Brandon! He is not chirpy and spirited but he seems like a sensible, wise man who is not very eager to please anyone. And he has a daughter too! I hope to see more of him in the upcoming chapters. I like him. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 15
Whom do you like more- Elinor or Marianne?
I will definitely go with Elinor. I know that Elinor is elder and hence, more experienced but doesn't Marianne seem too impetuous and reckless? She reminds me of Kitty from Pride and Prejudice (I don't know why I am comparing these two books)

Paritoshika wrote: "Chapter 15
Whom do you like more- Elinor or Marianne?
I will definitely go with Elinor. I know that Elinor is elder and hence, more experienced but doesn't Marianne seem too impetuous and reckless..."

I agree, Marianne is too dramatic for me and I think she's more immature than Elinor, but she is only 16. I get the impression that the book is slightly more from Elinor's perspective, even though its in third person?

Paritoshika wrote: "Austen knew the appropriate titles for her works. If someone were to ask me the difference between sense and sensibility, I would take some time to ponder over the question. I mean there are some w..."

I love how her titles are so apt to the stories she creates. Pride and Prejudice tells you everything you need to know about both the characters and the story that they centre in. The same is just as true here.

Paritoshika wrote: "Ranting (Beware!)

Isn’t it amazing how unjust the ancestral laws were back then? So, there is a family that takes care of your sick, old ass while you are an ailing widower waiting for a happy dea..."

It actually pains me to read about it. The unfair treatment of women is unavoidable when reading any sort of classic or historical fiction but it doesn't make the sting any less so, no matter how many times I come across scenes such as this one!

Second quarter - (view spoiler)[I can't help but feel so sorry for poor Marianna and think Willoughby an absolute ass for leaving her so abruptly, especially when she mistook the figure on a horse as him. I wonder what the mystery there is?

I love Austen's quiet wit. Moments such as when Sir John invited his new found cousins to his house with no prior warning and Lady Middleton contented "herself with merely giving her husband a gentle reprimand on the subject five or six times every day."

This is quite a slow and quiet story, which, although not unenjoyable isn't yet riveting me as much as other of her works. (hide spoiler)]

Third quarter - (view spoiler)[It is so interesting to see how the women of this time period had to endure an insufferable wait for a man to offer his hand in marriage, despite acting as if one was forthcoming. I really felt for Marianne after being led on before neglected by Willoughby. It transpired he did not offer her his hand or his love at all, but only his close affection and feelings, which were less easy to prove or disprove. (hide spoiler)]

I've just got over halfway and I'm planning on reading as much as I can for the rest of the day.
(view spoiler)[ I think Willoughby was so cruel in the letter he sent to Marianne. He acted as if it was all her, which I think is really unfair. I feel bad for Marianne because she is so upset but because of all the customs and society back then, she had to hide it to everyone but her family. (hide spoiler)]

Ellie wrote: "I've just got over halfway and I'm planning on reading as much as I can for the rest of the day.
[spoilers removed]"

I agree with all your thoughts. The gender inequality is so unfair!

Fourth quarter - (view spoiler)[I really enjoyed this, although the slow pace and minimal plot meant it was not a new favourite for me. I ended up loving both the sisters, despite their differences and appreciated this insight to how relationships, courting, and gender interactions were enacted during this historical time period. Willoughby proved despicable, but I never really liked Edward either. (hide spoiler)]

Up to chapter 37!
(view spoiler)[ I knew the engagement between Lucy and Edward would be found out, but I didn't expect such a huge reaction! I find it hard to believe that someone's entire future is reliant on not falling out with your parent.
I feel like it's one of the only times that Elinor talks about her feelings to another character?
(hide spoiler)]

I've finished!
(view spoiler)[ I thought it was really cruel that Elinor had to be the one to tell Edward about Colonel Brandon's offer. Such an awkward situation.
The ending was nice as everything worked out, but it seemed to me it was more passive, Edward didn't really do anything until the problem he was facing solved itself.
I did enjoy the book, but it wasn't one of her best works in my opinion. I've only got Pride and Prejudice left of her books to read!
I think I'll watch the movie for this to see how it compares to the book. (hide spoiler)]

Ellie wrote: "I've finished!
I thought it was really cruel that Elinor had to be the one to tell Edward about Colonel Brandon's offer. Such an awkward situation.
The ending was nice as everything worked out, bu..."

You have finished??? So sooooon!!?

As I was reading about the whole Edward-engagement affair, one think struck me. Have you noticed how Jane Austen accentuates the virtuousness of the protagonists in her books by highlighting flaws in other characters? There is always a character in her book who possess all the virtues, greatness and maturity constituent of a near-perfect person. And even if she/he does anything wrong or makes an error in judgment, Austen very conveniently attributes the mistake/flaw or whatever to an external, out-of-hand circumstance. Like this girl Lucy is everything Emma is- beautiful, pretty, clever, smart but she has a weak educational background. Mrs. Jennings is too nosy, a gossipmonger, Sir John too enthusiastic and ignorant of others’ privacy. His wife is composed but a prodigal mother. Marianne is too animated and spirited and Mrs. Dashwood a bit too gullible. Only Emma is a person who has everything in perfect measure. The same can be seen in Austen’s other books as well- Elizabeth in Pride and Prejudice, Anne Elliot in Persuasion… (and this is my third book by Austen).

Somewhere, I can sense Austen’s frustration with the society she lived in with its spurious sophistication and unreasonable obligations. I mean imagine saying no a hundred times to an invitation or constantly maintaining an immaculate appearance or behaving with utmost propriety and seemliness… My god. These people were so damn patient. Play out the Pretension Game.


PS: I won't open your spoilers right now. I have to catch up!!!

Dannii wrote: "Second quarter - I can't help but feel so sorry for poor Marianna and think Willoughby an absolute ass for leaving her so abruptly, especially when she mistook the figure on a horse as him. I wonde..."

I agree with that! I am still on chapter 27 and I am getting a bit tired of reading fastidious evaluations of characters and the usual, nonsense banter.

Paritoshika wrote: "As I was reading about the whole Edward-engagement affair, one think struck me. Have you noticed how Jane Austen accentuates the virtuousness of the protagonists in her books by highlighting flaws ..."

I agree, she makes others seem silly or annoying to show how the main character is the ideal person. Although I really like Mrs Jennings, even though she is always getting involved in other people's business.
I also get the impression Austen is trying to highlight how unnecessary some of the customs were back then, but sometimes it adds to the comedy of the situation?

Ellie wrote: "I've finished!
I thought it was really cruel that Elinor had to be the one to tell Edward about Colonel Brandon's offer. Such an awkward situation.
The ending was nice as everything worked out, bu..."

I felt exactly the same way. (view spoiler)[The ending felt somehow...gentle. That is the word that comes to mind for how slowly and nicely everything seemed to come together. (hide spoiler)]

I hope you enjoy P&P. It's my second favourite Austen after Northanger Abbey. I'm planning to move onto Mansfield Park next, which I don't believe I've read before.

Paritoshika wrote: "As I was reading about the whole Edward-engagement affair, one think struck me. Have you noticed how Jane Austen accentuates the virtuousness of the protagonists in her books by highlighting flaws ..."

YES to all of this! I agree with Ellie's thoughts as well, that it seems like highlighting these facets in their characters often adds light humour to the proceedings. Maybe it is merely the obvious differences between society now and then but when a character has an unlikable trait in their personality it seems very overblown for both comedic effect and, I think, to show her personal disdain.

Ellie wrote: "Paritoshika wrote: "As I was reading about the whole Edward-engagement affair, one think struck me. Have you noticed how Jane Austen accentuates the virtuousness of the protagonists in her books by..."

Yes, I agree. She adds humour to uncomfortable social situations. I also like the tone in which she writes. For instance, when I read Pride and Prejudice for the second time, I could sense latent sarcasm in her writing.

Paritoshika wrote: "Ellie wrote: "Paritoshika wrote: "As I was reading about the whole Edward-engagement affair, one think struck me. Have you noticed how Jane Austen accentuates the virtuousness of the protagonists i..."

Same here. It's not something I picked up on when I first read her as a teen. She was one of the first classic writers I discovered so maybe I assumed all were the same. She definitely has a great tongue-in-cheek style of humour.

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Date changed. Restarting March 1st 2021. Happy Reading ☺

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Chapter 5
(view spoiler)[ It's so tragic how much class and inheritance influenced relationships. I can imagine how many people weren't together or were forced together because of money. I think Mr. Dashwood is very kind and responsible to want his daughters to have money. The wives are just so selfish (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 8
(view spoiler)[ I feel kind of bad for Marianne. She shouldn't have a man pushed on her by Elinor just because he may like her. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 10
(view spoiler)[Willoughby sounds too good to be true. And Colonel Brandon is not old! He's only 35 lol That sounds like a good age for marriage then. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 12
(view spoiler)[ So a lock of hair? Was that normal then? I've never heard of it. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 13
(view spoiler)[ A daughter? I knew there was something! Not that that's a bad thing, but definitely a surprise. If it's true. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 14
(view spoiler)[ I wish someone loved my house that much haha (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 15
(view spoiler)[ I feel bad for Elinor. She is just trying to look out for her sister. Willoughby sounds like a good guy but he must be hiding something to just leave for London with no explanation to someone he seems to care so much about. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 18
(view spoiler)[ What is with the hair??? lol I hope Edward really is interested in Elinor. She deserves to be happy. She is so cautious, but caring. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 20
(view spoiler)[ My husband are so much like the Palmers. I like to socialize and he could just read the newspaper. lol (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 22
(view spoiler)[ Secretly engaged for four years! Four years?? Wow. Poor Elinor. And I think it says a lot about how he feels/thinks about Lucy. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 26
(view spoiler)[ Marianne is being pretty rude to Colonel Brandon. She doesn't have to meltdown when she sees him instead of Willoughby. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 29
(view spoiler)[ Willoughby reminds me a lot of another of Austen's male characters, though maybe not quite as dishonest. Just very charming and then a let down. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 35
(view spoiler)[ Well, John was being pretty harsh about Marianne. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 44
(view spoiler)[ Both these sisters have horrible luck with love. I'm not buying what Willoughby is saying. Even if he is being honest, the fact that he married for money doesn't speak well of him. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 45
(view spoiler)[ I think it would be insulting for Marianne to involve herself with Colonel Brandon after rejecting him for so long just because she couldn't have Willoughby. (hide spoiler)]

Finished
(view spoiler)[ I have mixed feelings about this ending. I am so happy for Elinor. But I think Colonel Brandon settled for a wife that would settle for him. Like they married just to tie things up nicely. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 3
I had my last exam yesterday and did not have much time to read. Until now I can say that I am really enjoying the dynamic of the Dashwood family. It is fun to read about them, I like the subtle humor. Will read more today!

Chapter 10
I like how the author describes conversations so vividly, it makes me create a perfect image in my head. I hope the story is not focused on match-making. I wish Elinor spoke a little bit more about her feelings, she is too "sensible". It is pretty early to say anything about her relationship. I don't think there is much going on on his part though.