Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters by Ben H. Winters

The book started off well, drawing on Austen's original story and adding bits about sea monsters, and the event which pitted humans against fish. Pride and Prejudice is my second favorite, and having absolutely adored Pride, Prejudice, and Zombies, I knew I had to read Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters. Let me start with this: I love Jane Austen's novels, and Sense and Sensibility is my favorite. It also included humourous book club discussion questions, which I quite enjoyed reading, as well. It helped me picture some of the odd sea creatures. There were some good illustrations that were added to the book, as well.

I thought the book did pick up in the 2nd half and especially the last 1/3 with the sea monster and underwater action! I did enjoy those parts of the book, odd as they might have been. It was a bit hard to keep the characters straight, between using first names or sometimes a title with last names (Mr. though one has an odd facial/health issue in the form of tentacles). Anyway, while on the island, they still manage to visit with a lot of people, and to find men for the eldest two sisters, Elinor and Marianne, to fall in love with (in fact, Marianne has a choice of two men. Their son/brother inherited all the money, and though he initially intended (on a promise to his dying father) on providing his family with some money, his wife convinces him they can’t afford to. in the form of sea monsters! The Dashwoods – mother and three sisters – are put out of their house and must move to an island. This retelling of Jane Austen’s “Sense and Sensibility” adds in some additional.

Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters by Ben H. Winters