Monday, March 1, 2021

The "Sense and Sensibility" Read-Along Begins!

Today's the day, my friends!  The day we start reading Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen together.

I will post the first discussion post soon (maybe even tomorrow!), but first I want to talk a little about how this will work.  Several times a week, I will post about the next section of book.  I'm going to include two chapters in each discussion post because Sense and Sensibility has fifty chapters, but most of them are very short.  So we'll have twenty-five discussion posts, and I'll try to post about three of those a week.  If you're doing math at this point, that means we should be done by the end of April, even if we take a little break over Easter.

It is entirely up to you whether you want to read the chapters first or my post first.  I think if you're already familiar with the story, either way works.  If you've never read it or seen any adaptation of it, then you might want to read the chapters first and then my post, as I'm not going to mark spoilers.  If you find yourself struggling to understand the text, you can always flip that and read the posts first and then the chapters.

In each post, I will include one or two discussion questions after I share my thoughts.  You are encouraged to comment with your answers to any questions that interest you, and you are also encouraged to reply to each others' comments!  Don't think of this as a dialog between me and each individual, but a discussion we are all having together.

I'm going to be reading the annotated edition pictured here, and I'll definitely be sharing any insights it gives me that I think will be of interest.  Every time I share a new post, I will link to that post on this page for easy reference.

I think that's all I have to say today, so I'll leave you with a couple of questions to answer so we can get to know each other:

1. Have you ever read Sense and Sensibility before?
2. Have you seen any movie versions of this story?
3. Have you read any other Jane Austen novels?

Remember, answering discussion questions is always optional -- don't feel obligated to answer any or all of them!  It's fine if you don't, though I think the discussions can be the best part of a read-along, so I definitely encourage you to try if you're so inclined.

Oh, and will there be a giveaway at the end of this read-along like there have been for so many of my previous read-alongs?  Probably ;-)

34 comments:

  1. Yes to all three questions!! (But you already knew that, huh?) Can't wait to do the Read Along! I haven't ever done it before, but now I have time and it's a book I really like!!!!

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    1. Mom, yes, I did. Have you seen the 2008 version with your Matthew Crawley as Edward? I can't remember if we watched that together or not. If not, we can totally watch it when you visit!

      And wow, I guess this *is* the first read-along I've led since you retired! Glad you can join in :-D

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  2. Yay! I'm excited and determined to be on top of things this time and not fall behind. Yes to all three questions, as I've seen the 1995 movie and the 2008 miniseries and have read all of Jane Austen's main novels.

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    1. MC, I'm right there with you in the "determined not to fall behind" thing because I have this creeping fear I'm going to get overwhelmed by other things and let it slide. So I'm going to work really hard to not let that happen.

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  3. Yes to all three questions! I'm looking foreard to joining the Read Along!

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  4. The answer to the first question is yes, I have read Sense and Sensibility before. I have seen two adaptations of it. And I have read all of Austen's book except for Mansfield Park which I didn't finish. I kind of wish you have chosen that for a read-along but oh well.

    Since I've already read it, I'm not planning on re-reading again but I'll check in to see if there's any discussion I like to join in.

    Have a lovely day.

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    1. Lissa, well, the truth is, I kind of stumbled into leading this read-along. Someone on Instagram suggested it, and then someone else seconded it, and so then I was like, "Well, I suppose I could..." The more I thought about it, the better I liked the idea, so here we go!

      I look forward to any chiming in you might do :-)

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  5. Yes to all 3. I'm trying to reread one Austen each year, and it's been awhile since I read this so this is perfect!

    Looking forward to doing the read-along. I've never done one before...hoping I'll be brave enough to try to join the discussion.

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    1. Becky, that's a cool goal! Glad the timing on this worked out well for you.

      Trust me, my read-alongs are super laid back. I hope you enjoy it!

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  6. I've never read Sense and Sensibility before, I've seen (and immensely enjoyed) the 1995 movie version and I've read Pride and Prejudice. As a reading group host, I'm looking forward to learning new things (what sort of questions to ask, how to keep a discussion going...)

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    1. Andrea, so glad you can join in! I hope you get some fun ideas for your own book group too :-)

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  7. 1. Have you ever read Sense and Sensibility before? I've read it 2 times at least.
    2. Have you seen any movie versions of this story? I've seen the 1995 and 2008 versions, I prefer Elinor and Edward in the later, but both films are good. The 2008 is brighter.
    3. Have you read any other Jane Austen novels? All of them, even the unfinished ones. After the whole introduction and JA fangirling in my teens and twenties, I feel like I struggled with loving the books quite so much. I needed this as kickstarter to reread them. I tend to prefer the movies.

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    1. Livia, glad you can join us! That's interesting that you think the 2008 is brighter -- I think of it as heavier than the 1995. Huh.

      Hope this rekindles your affection for Austen :-)

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    2. I think I was thinking visually mostly, the colors are brighter, of the main JA movies, S&S are the ones we rewatch the least I think, so I can't remember the mood comparison as well.

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    3. Livia, I see! Hmm. I think of the '95 as kind of golden and sunny, and the '08 as kind of grey, but I haven't seen the '08 for a few years, but I just saw the '95 just over a year ago.

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  8. You probably know all my answers to those questions. ;)

    Looking forward to this! Even though I won't be reading along, I'm sure I'll answer many of the discussion questions.

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    1. Eva, well, I mean, I might. Looking forward to your comments as we go!

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  9. Yes, yes, & yes! But I haven't read S & S for some time.

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  10. Yes to all three questions (although I've only seen the movie version with Emma Thompson). I read all of Austen's novels in the order of their publication back in 2017. I think I ranked Sense and Sensibility as my third favorite behind Pride and Prejudice (1) and Emma (2). At the same time, I know that Sense and Sensibility had some of the funniest scenes. Looking forward to what you have to say about the novel!

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    1. Dale, the Emma Thompson is my favorite, so I am cool with that. It does have some really funny parts, especially concerning some of the minor characters :-) Glad to have you with us!

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  11. 1. Have you ever read Sense and Sensibility before?
    - No. That's why I'm here : )

    2. Have you seen any movie versions of this story?
    - Yes! The 1995 version and the 2008 version, both I love!

    3. Have you read any other Jane Austen novels?
    - I read Pride & Prejudice once, but I don't really remember that much really.

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    1. Ivy Miranda, oh boy! Your first time! That's so exciting :-)

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  12. 1. Nope I haven't read it
    2. Did see the 1995 movie
    3. I have

    *runs off to read the chapters*

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    1. Skye, oh my goodness, your first time too? This is very exciting. I'm so glad you're along for the ride!

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  13. Trying for the 50 bazillionth time... (or at least attempt #7 or 8...)
    1 & 2. No
    3. Yes

    Did it show up this time? Let's celebrate! -Roxann

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    1. Roxann, IT WORKED! HUZZAH!!!

      Since you have not read this before, I need to ask -- do you want me to mark spoilers? I wasn't going to, but I will for your benefit, if you want me to.

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  14. Maegan, themaecaveMar 5, 2021, 9:02:00 PM

    I have never read Sense and Sensibility before, nor have I seen any of the movies. I read Pride and Prejudice once but that was back in my early high school years so I barely remember it.

    I am excited to finally dive into a Jane Austen novel.

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    1. Maegan, I'm so excited to have you join in! Since you are at least the second person participating who haven't seen or read this story at all, I WILL be marking spoilers in my posts, okay? Just so you can then decide for yourself if you care about spoilers or not.

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  15. I finally made it! Downloaded my audible copy and find give it a good ol try while folding my mountain of laundry. ;) To answer your questions:

    1) I have read S&S before, but I think all the way through properly just once. Possibly. Not as many times as Emma, Persuasion, P&P, even Mansfield Park.

    2) Yes! Not the 70's BBC version, but the 80's BBC, the '95, and the '08 -- and quite like all of them in differing degrees for various reasons.

    3) Yes indeedy! (See answer to #1 ;)) In some cases rather a lot of times.

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    1. Heidi, I'm so glad you made it! Sorry for my tardy reply -- last week was kinda nutty here :-)

      I've not seen the '80s BBC, so you're one up on me there :-)

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