Paperback Castles

I am always a little reluctant when reviewing a classic, such as this one. Obviously it has been entitled 'a classic' for a reason, and so many praises of it has been written, read and commented during its time, that it seems pointless to add something new to its magnificent record of reviews.

Nevertheless I would like to make it clear just how much I love and adore this book. Austen was a true artist, painting and portraying entire societies meanwhile creating a beautiful variety of characters each with an individual set of values, beliefs and priorities, and spinning it into an original story with an impressive and elegant attentions to the most minor and seemingly insignificant details.

"Sense and Sensibility" is remarkable because of its very clear morale, vivid use of opposites, irony and sarcasm. I truly love Elinor as a character, and can only admire her strong mind and perfect sense of propriety. I do not care as much for Edward Ferrars, he just seems too bleak compared to the other Austen-men. However I will always feel for Colonel Brandon, who is the definition of loyal.

It has been a while since I read this, and upon my re-reading I couldn't help but to regret, that it has been so long. This book is - in many ways - like a dear friend, and I cannot bear to be separated from it for too long. And I guess that is what makes it a 'classic' after all.