Sense & Sensibility (Marvel Illustrated)

Marvel's adaptation of Jane Austen novel is amazingly faithful to the original. The author even goes to the trouble to warn the readers about the few changes she did and the reasons for them.

It does make a few basic errors that an editor should have caught - Marianne saying thirty-five for Colonel Brandon's age (this is early 19th century... it should be five and thirty) and an yearly income cited as 50 000 (that would mean the possession of 1 mln... which is highly unlikely -- it is much more likely that the whole fortune is 50 000 - which would make a yearly income of 2500). But these are minor issues and can be forgiven.

The one thing that did not fully work for me was the art - the human figures look more like caricatures than as show more people. That's just not the style I like... but it was not bad enough to distract me.

Overall - a good adaptation, without missing any of the main points of the novel..and who knows - it might make a new generation of readers like Austen. show less

Pretty faithful to the original although it felt a bit rushed to me, but maybe that's because I'm not used to reading graphic novels. I liked that so much of the dialogue was original or well paraphrased. However, the book was missing the witticisms and snarky comments about society that Austen is so famous for.

There was also a glaring error that came up twice which really annoyed me: it said that Elinor and Marianne's father chose not to leave them any property or money in his will when in fact he couldn't leave them much of an inheritance by law. It seems like a minor detail but the fact that women couldn't inherit property or work or otherwise provide for themselves is the reason that marriage was such an important aspect of a show more woman's life at the time; choosing a husband was the only big decision a woman could make for herself. Austen's books all critique society for how little control they give to women thus forcing them into a ridiculous game of husband-hunting. This oversight also accounts for a lot of the missing humor which is in the original. show less

I have no idea why this took me so long to read but I'm so glad that I decided to read it I loved the art style, I thought the characters looked phenomenal. I've always liked Pride and Prejudice more then Sense and Sensibility but I really thoroughly enjoyed the Dashwood's story this time.

Review found at: The Real World According To Sam

So...where do I begin?

The story was adapted well, I can give it that.
The characters were cute...this is where I have a slight problem.
I didn't like the style that the characters were in. I just don't feel right reading a Classic Graphic novel in which Austen's characters have been "Chibi-ed." Austen is not 'cute.' Austen is not 'Chibi.' Austen is heartfelt and relatable. No one I know looks like a Chibi. I understand stylization, but this was the wrong style for this type of novel.

But it was adapted well, so it was redeemed. =p

In no way am I against graphic novel adaptations of classic literature, but the art style was hit or miss for me (I especially disliked the caricature depictions with oversized heads). Also, this was very text-heavy, and the text didn't deviate that much from Austen's original novel. I was hoping that this book would entice some of my middle-grade students, but I have a feeling it will not get checked out from our library all that often.

Like Butler's version of Pride & Prejudice, I enjoyed Sense & Sensibility. She did a great job of picking out the most important parts of the story, and the characters were true to Austen's original work. I loved the mix of realistic illustrations and tiny, big headed, silly illustrations when the emotions called for it. Very cute.

I'm not sure that Sense and Sensibility needs much of a synopsis, with its themes of using good sense in judging people's character and in one's own character. The charm of sisterly bonds are present in this great story, with Elinor as the eldest and seemingly most sensible, Maryanne as her younger and more whimsy-driven sister, and the youngest adventuresome sister Margaret. Having lost their fortune to a step brother who was given their father's property and cash at his death, the Dashwoods move into a cheaper cottage and lifestyle, but also into a romantic new chapter of their lives.

As with any good Austen story, the romance is really one of the character features. Although we don't really lose the basic story, I thought it was show more interesting that it feels a little washed out in the graphic novel sense. I think it might be the descriptions I missed here, even though the dialogue pretty much stayed in tact. Not much is lost in the story, but is obviously centered around conversations and thoughts.

The pictures are soft and pastel, with pretty rounded edges and crisp outlining. There is a comic element to this that you can't miss, but I think that the brightness and seemingly soft quality to the frames gives it a soothing, happy tone that propels you through the familiar tale. Overall, I genuinely enjoyed this graphic version. I'm a bit more partial to the Pride and Prejudice version, if only because of the stronger focus on a few characters instead of the many we get in this tale. The story is still all there though and a treat to read (and view) in this graphic form. I hope Nancy Butler pens a few more great classics! show less