Book Review: Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen (illustrations by Marjolein Bastin)

 

 Oh well. I have to mention in advance I'm a Jane Austen enthusiast and this was the first book I read from Jane Austen.

It was not the first story I got to know from Jane Austen - that was Northanger's Abbey, from a illustrated book adaptation in single-story comic format named "Joyas de la Literatura" (Jewels of Literature).

But then Dame Emma Thompson wrote and starred the best movie adaptation of "Sense and Sensibility" so it was the first Austen book I read.

So when having the opportunity of re-reading this story from a new edition, I didn't hesitate and said yes.

The illustrations were exquisite and delicate - I felt as if I was reading this book, sitting by one of those fabulous Regency gardens. The font calligraphy used for the print version looks real nice, and for a moment I felt as transported to the Regency era of carriages and entertaining visits at the piano forte. But even so, human relationships have changed a lot and not at all. We humans, though our codes of conducts might change, the way we control our feelings or let them control us has remained quite constant.

Bastin made a great job with her illustration through the pages, including different garden flowers blossoming as we turn each page, with also little birds and butterflies as guests. Such a subtle and soft way to frame each of the volumes and chapters which are part of this masterpiece. It matches her vision of loving the familiar and ordinary, finding the beauty in the world that lies before us every day, and with an increased awareness of the richness that nature possesses.

I truly recommend reading this book because of the author and the story - if you haven't read it - and if you have, the illustrations included in this edition create such a beautiful book, to be part of a collection of classic literature.

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen (illustrations by Marjolein Bastin) will be released on November 2nd, 2021 both in physical and digital formats. Thank you NetGalley and Marjolein Bastin for the ARC!