Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters (Quirk Classics) Paperback – Bargain Price, September 15, 2009

"Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters" is a masterpiece. And this from a Jane Austen purist. The author has completed two remarkable writing feats notoriously hard to pull off: Created a complete alternate universe with its own culture, true to its own laws from beginning to end; and made me feel as if I was really reading about Austen's authentic Elinor, Marianne, Willoughby et al.The sea monster world was so graphic, gruesome and juicy, I almost broke out in hives from my seafood allergies. More than once I caught myself grimacing and wrinkling my nose at imagined fishy stink. Normally, the violence alone would be enough to make me abandon the book, but author Wilson only uses it to throw Regency cultural values into sharper and more satirical relief -- witness the scene of Elinor and Marianne earnestly engaging in prim introspection, concerned about social appropriateness and proper behavior, when (SPOILER ALERT) the entire underwater dome is about to crack at the onslaught of the sea monster rebellion and a servant has just been gruesomely murdered before their eyes (unnoticed).Setting the main story and its sub-plots against such a background also served to emphasize what Austen herself was indeed emphasizing -- the ludicrousness of Regency-era polite society.I did not fall off my chair laughing, but I did appreciate the skill and wit of the author. My only complaint: Colonel Brandon was a little *too* graphically repulsive. But I quite forgave this at the end of the book, when the author innocently explained the advantages of extra appendages (and I did teeter on the edge of my chair at that).Ultimately, I consider this book a resounding success because (a) the author wrote quite as masterly a satire of social mores as did Austen herself (b) he wrote a satire of Austen's satire -- breathtaking (c) I not only found it darkly amusing -- I thoroughly enjoyed it.Great job, Ben H. Winters.

Jane Austen novels are sometimes regarded as pertaining more to traditionally feminine affairs: courtships, marriages, domesticity, etc.But what’s often overlooked is Austen’s very traditional view of human behavior. Each major character has certain vices and virtues; here given the Aristotelian meaning of those traits which enable the possessor to live a good life. Of course, the virtues do pertain to proper ethics. But Austen thought that this world makes the virtues a path to a happy and fulfilled life.It’s a far cry from modern sensibilities but it is interesting to see the Nicomachean Ethics here exemplified in such an distinctive setting. In other words, Austen is not just a long series of fortunate romances.

Interesting...

As far as this primary classic goes, you get to experience an intimate amount of details, so picturesque and nearly daunting in full bloom with character development, and insight for stories sake, that having read this in the current 21st Century, I had to remember that if was in want of more intimate entertainment, a fully consuming story of vast personal emotion and inter thought, like this, would be even more pleasing! And the pile upon pile of thoughtful forethought and post thought and interactions would have been even more appreciated! It is clearly classical, and thoroughly well thought out! A truly remarkable story.

Product was gone. I just didn't like the book and didn't finish it.

As a fan of Sense and Sensibility, I loved it! I thought the sea monster overlay/intersperse totally worked . . . wittily even. Not only was Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters funny and entertaining, but I truly felt that some aspect of the original were reframed and highlighted, illuminating the original themes.They were living on a barren island that turned out to be a sea creature's head! LOL!Reading these reviews, I am reminded that readers approach a book from so many different perspectives. I think some good people, however open-minded, are just not going to "get" the whole mash-up phenomenon. My take on it is that anything that gives a new generation an "in" to the joys of the timeless classics has got to be a good thing.

I loved it because it showed how those women were sarcastically handling their feeling during the Napolitan Era. Jane Austen is a truly a feminist writer.

I must admit that I did not enjoy the story as much as I had hoped. The most I can give is that I finished it.

Wonderful. J Austen is a genius. Her writing flows so smoothly although the language is complicated and ancient. I love her wit and very clever observations of people's behaviour.Any book by Jane Austen is a must read. I read Pride and Prejudice on Kindle and it was glory.

Die Beschenkte ist Fan dieser Buchausrichtung und hat sich sehr über dieses Buch gefreut, das Sie sich selbst ausgewählt hat. Den Inhalt und die Qualität kann ich aus eighener Ansicht nicht kommentieren.

Love this novel. It is a must read.

Excellent novel,very good characters,excellent plot,good interaction,excellent t tead