First impressions: an epistolary AU retelling of Sense and Sensibility, with the alternative pairing Brandon/Elinor. AN and header both literate and to the point. Very promising!
Conclusion: not easy going, but finished it.
Why you may want to read this: it is charmingly written; you like epistolary stories; you think Brandon & Elinor are the only good, strong characters in the novel and think they deserve to end up together; you want to punish Edward for engaging Elinor’s affections; you enjoy a good turn of phrase; you like straightforward paths to romance.
Why you may not want to read this: you dislike AU premises that are presupposed on characters changing the way they feel unsubstantiated by any justification. You get bored with Sense & Sensibility. You take offence at one or two grammar errors. You dislike alternative pairings. You only enjoy stories with narrative tension.
Sense & Sensibility, Regency, AU, G, at AHA.
This story leaves me in a bit of a quandary, because though I can certainly say that I have enjoyed some aspects of it, I must confess I was bored and had to force myself to finish it.
It is not, I hasten to add, anything wrong with the writing itself. The prose is charming, and most of the characters’ voices well represented. A small example, from one of Mrs Jennings’ letters to her daughter.
I do hope that Miss D. will able to convince the Colonel to let go of his bachelor ways. It was still too soon, perhaps, when the two of you met, for he was much concerned about Delaford’s finances then (and not knowing how that would end I should not have liked to trust him with you), but now that things have improved I think he can well afford to keep a wife in addition to his matched pairs of horses.
Still, the author’s judgement on the characters is heavily felt, and the opinions of the two titular characters modified to fit it in a way that felt forced to this reader.
The lack of narrative tension, or, indeed, any conflict other than the usual (and already known) twists and turns of the novel made it hard going. On the other hand, readers who enjoy romantic endings but do not like angst are advised most strongly to give it a try.
It was still a worthwhile read, and the quality of the writing alone give it three quills.
