What If Elinor Shared Lucy’s Secret with Her Sister?

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Source: Gift from Author

TYPE OF NOVEL: Sense and Sensibility Variation

THE PREMISE:  With a bit more openness than is normally seen, the Dashwood sisters confide and share their sorrows and destroyed hopes with each other. Does knowing about Edward’s duplicity, change Marianne’s perspective on Willoughby? How does the sister’s relationships change with them being in each others’ confidences earlier?

WHAT I LOVED:

• An S&S Variation: A lovely rarity in this niche genre! Sometimes the word “variation” is applied to all Austenesque/JAFF books, but what I interpret as a variation is a story set similar to Jane Austen’s original story, but with some sort divergence, twist, or altered circumstances. There are an abundance of P&P variations, they dominate the genre. But surprisingly we don’t see many similar “variation” style stories for Jane Austen’s other works. In my 20+ years (wow…didn’t know the number was that big) of reading in this genre, I think I’ve only come across a few non P&P variations. And I believe this is my first for Sense and Sensibility!

• A New Sister Dynamic: Sharing mutual heartache and relationship problems are such a strong bonding agents, aren’t they? Instead of Elinor keeping all her pain to herself, Marianne is very aware of it. And by sharing her experiences and thoughts about Willoughby out loud with Elinor, Marianne develops some quicker understanding about his character. I love to see the closeness and openness between Elinor and Marianne! It is as it should be.

• Marianne Takes Action: I love Marianne’s determination and cleverness in this story! She seizes some opportunities to throw wrenches, avenge wrongs, and manipulate others. Whether her machinations are just and right are maybe up for debate though. Regardless of any moral dilemmas, it was a refreshing change to see Marianne – who has the tendency to be self-absorbed and inconsiderate – seeking out ways to help and protect others. I loved witnessing her thwart and out maneuver their plans.

• Mrs. Ferrars: While she is sometimes described as a gorgon and shares her opinions “most decidedly” and with a familiar “celebrated frankness,” I enjoyed this character. She is a powerful lady with that places value on wealth and connections, she also places value on honesty and justice. I enjoyed seeing more of this character and her the closer relationship she develops with Marianne.

• More Colonel Brandon: With Marianne’s eyes being opened sooner it means she is quicker to recognize more of Colonel Brandon’s sterling qualities…and that means more interactions, more page, more Colonel Brandon. And that can never be a bad thing. I enjoyed seeing Colonel Brandon’s awareness of Marianne’s evolution and how he progressively becomes more and more direct and assertive with his intentions.

WHAT COULD’VE BEEN BETTER:

• Some Quibbles: There were at least three scenes that were portrayed from one sister’s POV and then the other, with all the events and dialogue happening the same. It felt a little unnecessary to be so redundant when no new insight or information was shared. While we see Marianne take more action and evolve, it if feels like Elinor, by comparison, is much more passive. She seems to suffer more outwardly from her heartache in this tale. In addition, something felt a little off about Elinor’s bluntness in some conversations – while we are told (and know) she is reserved her speaking so publicly in a few instances felt a little unlike her character.

• Avenging Vs. Destroying: I’m left with some conflicting feelings about Marianne’s actions in this book – and it felt like the characters themselves weren’t entirely sure how to feel. Do we applaud and approve or should we censure and chastise? While it is wonderful to see villains receive their just desserts, and I admire Marianne for trying to right some terrible wrongs, something felt a little less virtuous about a character purposefully causing ruination.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

🤔  What if I told you none of it was accidental, and Marianne is a mastermind?

📖  An inventive and engaging tale of sisters, heartbreaks, fortunes turning, and machinations.

🙌🏼  Huzzah for a unique and precious Sense and Sensibility variation, can we have some more, please?

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