Finished audio 7-23-09, rating 4/5, fiction, pub. 1813

This audio version was read by Wanda McCaddon

This is my first Jane Austen book, so I thought I would start with listening an audio first.  I am glad that I did.  I saw the 1995  movie soon after it came out and once I started listening the characters came to life in my mind, as the cast of the movie.  The combination was Cliff’s Notes for the Austen virgin and I thought a great way to start my Austen reading.  Now that I’ve finished the book and watched the movie again in my imagination I plan on watching the actual movie this week.

The Dashwoods have just lost the head of the family and his second family is mistreated by the heir and left with little money and few prospects.  Thanks to the generosity of a cousin they are welcomed to a small house in Devonshire and the four women make a new life with new friends. 

Elinor and Marianne are sisters that share a close relationship, but different temperaments.  Marianne is full of fancy and passion and Elinor is full of good judgement and common sense.  They both fall for two very different men, but suffer the same fate in their attraction. 

As you can see, I took the quiz to find out which Austen character I am and Elinor was the winner.  After reading the book I can see where the result came from, but think perhaps I am a bit more direct than Elinor.  I liked both sisters, but there were times when both of them drove me a little crazy.

I like the book, but I can’t give it more than 4 stars because there are so many people to dislike.  Some got their comeuppance, but some didn’t and I wanted some karma for a few of the characters.

I look forward to reading an actual Austen book soon.