Parents' Guide to

Sense and Sensibility

By Barbara Schultz, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Classic novel is rich in romance and humor.

Book Jane Austen Literary Fiction 1811
Sense and Sensibility Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

See all
age 13+

Based on 1 parent review

EAL
EAL Adult
May 27, 2020
age 13+

Not recommended for young readers.

For advanced and older readers I think its an exceptionally good book. But for kids, I personally think it might be boring, confusing, and a bit inappropriate. This book contains smoking and drinking. But also influences a great message, good role models, and holds educational value. I first read the book when I was about 11 or 12. I immediately lost interest after the first chapter and struggled unwillingly to finish the rest of the book. But as I got older I learned to love and understand the book better. I competently recommend the book for older more advanced readers rather than young kids.

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
Too much sex
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

Jane Austen's first published novel, SENSE AND SENSIBILITY, tells the story of the elder Dashwood sisters, reasonable Elinor and her impulsive sister Marianne. These two young women, with their mother and youngest sister, Margaret, must leave their family estate, Norwood, after their father's death; the property has been left to the girls' half-brother, John. Before the Dashwood women leave Norwood, John and his wife, Fanny, arrive, along with Fanny's brother, Edward Ferrars, who develops a close connection with Elinor. With a very small income left to them, Mother and daughters decamp to a Devonshire cottage owned by a distant cousin, where they become acquainted with the proper Colonel Brandon and charming John Willoughby, among others. The sisters' romantic prospects take numerous twists and turns as the girls navigate a social world where not every landed man they meet is truly a gentleman.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1):
Kids say (7):

Sense and Sensibility is a richly rewarding story of manners from one of the world's greatest novelists. Full of feeling, humor, and beautifully realized characters, this book is treasured by teens and adults who enjoy a complex romantic page-turner. For two centuries, readers' hearts have broken for naive Marianne and long-suffering Elinor, and the book will surely find devoted readers for centuries to come.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about gender roles in Jane Austen's world. How are the characters' lives limited by then-accepted notions about women's place in society?

  • Have you seen any of the film versions of this book? How do they differ from the novel?

  • What does the title Sense and Sensibility mean?

Book Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

See all recommended book lists

Related Topics

Want suggestions based on your streaming services? Get personalized recommendations

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate