Review: A Modern Day Sense and Sensibility by Kaitlin Saunders

Jane Austen, I suspect, would secretly be very pleased with this modern-day adaption of her classic novel, Sense and Sensibility. Author Kaitlin Saunders (who has previously written a modern-day adaption of Persuasion,) seamlessly moves the characters and settings from the classic novel to the United States and makes quite convincing arguments for the set up of the story--including most importantly how the Dashwood sisters lose their inheritance to their half brother and his conniving wife, who has been renamed Fancil in order to fit in with the novel's contemporary setting. Sanders cleverly follows the plot of Sense and Sensibility throughout the novel, while adapting it to present day America--in this narrative for example the Dashwood sisters find themselves living in a substandard apartment building in Oregon. Elinor, or Ellie, remains the sensible sister, Marianne remains fanciful. Love interests Edward, along with the caddish Willoughby remain in keeping with the original characters, while Colonel Brandon is now Brandon, a wealthy thirty-something hotel owner. 

Overall this one is a lot of fun and real treat for Austen fans who want to see a contemporary spin on their favourite tale. Recommended. 

PS Shout out to author Kaitlin Saunders for sending me a review copy of her work. 

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