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Hardcover
Publisher: Dutton Adult
In a sequel to Jane Austen's classic Sense and Sensibility, Margaret, the third Dashwood sister, struggles to equal her two older sisters in accomplishment. By the author of Presumption. 50,000 first printing. $50,000 ad/promo.
Only a writer with considerable skill and a fair amount of confidence would dare a sequel to Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility, especially given the renewed interest in her work, not to mention her status as a classic author. But Julia Barrett, whose Presumption was a sequel to Pride and Prejudice, has produced a novel that pays homage to Austen by following her style while not mimicking it. Her heroines are smart and well-mannered (including cameos by some of Austen's originals), the pace is quick yet controlled, and the story lines, while echoing Austen's style and tête-à-têtes between characters, are innovative.
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| Mediocre book |
| Customer Rating: 3 out of 5 |
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This was an okay novel, though too inspid for my taste. The plot was transparent and had all the complexity of a Barbara Cartland novel. I checked out two others by her at the same time I got this one, but they've gone back unread. I love Austen's characters, and love to speculate on what might have happened to them after the end of the novels. I've read every continuation I can get my hands on, and this one was the most disappointing. Read as a Regency novel, it wouldn't have been so bad, but it was simply not satisfying as an Austen continuation.
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| Barely worth to be read... |
| Customer Rating: 2 out of 5 |
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"The Third Sister", a Sense & Sensibility sequel, treads shallow waters, compromising between the two Barret `extremes' by being sufficiently plotted, but dull and predictable. Margaret, miraculously transformed into a fine, intelligent young lady (one has the impression that Barret watched Emma Thompson's film, which included a lively, appealing child Margaret) has to choose between two young men, one resembling Edward Ferrars in his reserve and quiet demeanor, the other resembling Willoughby in his good looks and `liveliness'. Unpredictably-or is it with complete predictability?- they are neither what Margaret thinks they are. And they are both shallow characters, very much like Margaret. There is very little emotional development and resonance between either and Margaret.
The language is just barely adequate, the events so unmemorable that I can just recall the skeleton of the plot relating to Margaret after 2 years of reading the book. If you must read something else by Barret, read "Presumption". If you wish for an excellent Austen sequel, read "Sanditon", completed by Marie Dobbs.
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| Not quite worthy |
| Customer Rating: 2 out of 5 |
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I'm only about half way through this novel, and I am not quite certain if I really wish to continue it. The Third Sister boasts a writing style that is similar to Austen's in its verbosity but not in its wittiness and clearity. Perhaps more damaging to my regard for this story is that I have noticed several inconsistancies with the original story line. For example, in the original work, Edward was disinherited because of his engagement to Lucy Steele, not his attatchment to Elinor Dashwood, whom the Farrars' would still likely find an objectional match for Edward, but who is infinately superior to Miss Steele both in breeding, birth, and sense. I also find it highly unlikely that Mrs. John Dashwood would be likely to form any sort of friendship with Mrs. Robert Farrars, the former Miss Steele. It is also stated in S&S that the eldest Mrs. Farrars' settlement on her younger son is irreversable, but I find her in this "sequel" seeking a new heir. Margaret in love with Wiloughby? I find that difficult to believe. She was only eleven or twelve when he was was paying so much attention to her sister Marianne. If the author was not seeking to immitate Austen's style and continue her story, I would sooner excuse any shortcomings. In itself, the story is not altogether without entertainment value. I would not be nearly so harsh if it was an independant work. As it is, I feel this book is damaging characters already well know and loved by myself and others and insulting to one of the best-loved novelists of the English language. In short, if you are looking to read a sequel to Sense and Sensibility that is true to the original masterpiece both in style and detail, you will be sadly dissappointed by this work. If not, you may well enjoy it.
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| Empty Austenism |
| Customer Rating: 2 out of 5 |
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. . .uninspired and unsatisying. The writing style is Austinesque, but the insipid plot and shallow character development are definetly not. Margaret's motives and emotions are obscure, and the author's assertion that her "heroine" has wit and intelligence is never illustrated by word or deed. Quite the contrary . . .
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| totally in error |
| Customer Rating: 1 out of 5 |
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This book was so full of a trying-to-hard Austen language that it was very annoying. I didn't get past the first chapter. The development of Margaret seemed fake and not in a way Austen had her heading in her novel. Margaret desired to travel, but nothing is said of this. Something like this would not disappear in three years. Authors shouldn't stray from the original author's intention.
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