Customer Reviews

The Third Sister

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This is a fun read for Austen fans who are drawn to the mood and social nuance of Austen's work. 'The Third Sister' is the continuation of 'Sense and Sensibility.' We get glimpses into how Eleanor and Marriane are doing in their new lives and marriages, but the true focus of the story is Margaret Dashwood, the youngest sister, who has now grown into a beautiful young woman. Margaret, it seems, took Marianne's traumatic lessons in love much more to heart than any of the others. She's girded herself against flirtacious rogues like Willoughby, and is prepared to resist their wiles staunchly. 'The Third Sister' is the tale of Margaret's coming of age, her adventures in romance, and her mastery of both sense and sensiblity.

This book is well-written in faux-Austenesque prose, and the story is engaging. But, it's a case of so close, and yet so far for me. I found it difficult to overlook the repeated un-Austen-like moments, which kept grounding me in the counterfeit nature of the work. Plus, the story itself, while very like an Austen tale in so many ways, wasn't nearly as gripping, or tension-filled, as Austen's own novels.

Margaret's character, and that of Lady Clara, was well-developed. But her romantic interests were not given the same amount of attention and motivation, which left their relationships with Margaret rather pale and unsubstantial.

So, I recommend this book to Austen fanatics for the little bit of escapism it provides--for those moments when I was able to forget that this book wasn't written by Austen. But, be prepared for those moments to be repeatedly burst by the frequent flaws that continue to announce it an imitation.

While remaining faithful to Jane Austen's rather predictable plot structure, moral tone and including all the previously spotlighted characters, Julia Barrett's sequel to SENSE AND SENSIBILITY still manages to sparkle with wit, irony, charm and originality. Barrett quickly establishes a tongue-in-cheek light touch in the opening chapter by noting the sheer imprudence of poor Margaret being born third in the family - and a girl yet - spurned even by Austen herself. This quickly involves the reader as being "in" on the hypocrisies of the day. What a great beginning. Luckily, our heroine, Margaret Dashwood, is rescued by none other than Barrett from being fated to remain mere postscript to the story. The author, indeed, has bigger plans for the heroine than the Muse herself. Ms. Barrett spirits Dashwood from a prosaic country existence, whisks Margaret away to the elegant, sophisticated refinement of Brighton, complete with its fashionable balls, high society, and intrigues.

Barrett's heroine, the lovely Margaret Dashwood, is drawn with a sense of adventure, a philosophical, independent and creative turn of mind. She is romantic yet clear-thinking, compassionate, yet not a patsy. And, besides, even if she gets into a real bind, there is always her devoted older friend, Lady Clara, to run interference in matters of the heart. Margaret's declaration of liberation from the sexism of the day to the arrogant chauvinist-cum-artist, Stevenson, resonates with our contemporary sensibilities while making perfect sense in Austen's world.

Dashwood's longing for love and self-identity, fully aware of her lack of social connections, also reflects Austen's themes of the importance of class and status. Her sensitively developed attraction to William du Plessy, a hero worthy of her affections, (though she holds out as long as possible), satisfied my own longing for a believable and winning romance. The exquisite contrast between our two virtuous sweethearts, and the scoundrels, Osborne, and Ferrars, and the appropriate, if predictable ends they all meet does not detract a bit from the enjoyment of the fascinating complications which arise along the way.

I also loved the way the Barrett skillfully wove in the fashions of the day, the attitudes toward the Church, country vs. city life, and the influence of French culture, embodied with such irony by that great caricature and francophile snob, the fair Lady Ferrars. These cultural tidbits enriched my appreciation and understanding of certain segments of 19th century British society.

I couldn't help but admire Barrett's ability to assume Austen's style-cadence, rhythm, diction and syntax-in such a natural and witty manner. For example, she notes that that Margaret's rather dense mother, found herself "admiring impudence as directness, audacity as wit, impropriety as imagination." And toward the end, when the author herself, entreated me as a reader to directly share in the amusement she, herself, was experiencing, thereby breaking the distance between the writer and the reader, well, I found it to be irresistible. The fun and delight of this journey made the reading such a luxurious entertainment. And after the tawdry business of today's news, what a pleasurable escape into a world where character and true love win out over all obstacles. Sound conventional? Not at all. Ms. Barrett's characters are full of vitality, impudence, sarcasm, wit and humor. For those of us who enjoyed Jane Austen's novels, this continuation of the lives of the Dashwood family is a welcome addition. A visually and emotionally compelling tale, THE THIRD SISTER deserves to be read and then to join its predecessors on the big screen.

If you're looking for a good Austen continuation, read Jane Fairfax by Joan Aiken or Sandition by Another Lady. This one is one of the most poorly-written books I've ever read. Ms. Barrett is so caught up in using Austen-ish language and in staying true to the Austen "formula" that she forgets to include a comprehensible plot. We follow Margaret Dashwood as she meets two young men, we are expected to surmise that she has fallen in love with one (for no articulated reason except that this is the way all of Austen's stories proceed), whom she apparently dismisses in a scene that was so poorly described in the book that I couln't remember it happening at all, then she inexplicably accepts the proposal of the other without any thought, only to find that he is some vague sort of villian. Then, and worst of all, Ms. Barrett takes a time out to reassure the reader that, despite the fact that the book is nearly over, Margaret will find her way to the correct gentleman. This isn't a poor imitation of Jane Austen, this is a poor book, period. Don't waste your money.

Having read MANY disgusting attempts at Austen sequels, I wasdelighted to get my hands on another Austen sequel by Julia Barrett.Of course, the dialog isn't as witty, nor the style as lively as Austen's, but this is a truly satisfying sequel to "Sense & Sensibility." As with "Presumption" (Barrett's sequel to "Pride & Prejudice"), the author wisely stays away from Austen's established characters (there is not too much of Elinor and Marianne), and instead focuses on a character which was scarcely drawn in the original: Margaret, the youngest Dashwood. Fans of the movie version of "Sense & Sensibility" got to see much more of Margaret than Austen ever wrote -- so, if the movie jarred some interest in Margaret, "The Third Sister" will be a sheer delight. Julia Barrett also kept several of the more extreme characters (good and bad) to make this a lively read -- read the book to find out which ones made the cut!

I found that this story was quite disappointing: the plot itself appears to be a contrived cut-n-paste from several different Austen works, the writing style is laboured and rather pretentious, and the characters are inconsequential. Not once in this entire book did I feel more than a curious indifference towards the characters.

If your aim is to read a tidy little love story set in the S&S universe, then this might suit your purposes. Barrett does seem know her stuff quite well and that is reflected in her meticulous writing. The story is harmless enough (even though her style does grate on the nerves at times).

If you are anything like me, though, and enjoy reading stories that have more depth to it than "Perfect Woman meets Two Hunks. Which one will she Choose? Eeny Meeny Miney Moe..." then you might find your time and money better spent elsewhere.

This book was so full of a trying-to-hard Austen language that it was very annoying. I didn't get past the first chapter. The development of Margaret seemed fake and not in a way Austen had her heading in her novel. Margaret desired to travel, but nothing is said of this. Something like this would not disappear in three years. Authors shouldn't stray from the original author's intention.

. . .uninspired and unsatisying. The writing style is Austinesque, but the insipid plot and shallow character development are definetly not. Margaret's motives and emotions are obscure, and the author's assertion that her "heroine" has wit and intelligence is never illustrated by word or deed. Quite the contrary . . .

The Third Sister was a welcome sequel to a delightful book (namely: Sense & Sensibility)! I enjoyed the characters, and was pleased to see Julia Barrett keep all the original characters true to form. Robert and Lucy are just as they ought to be, and the same with the other couples: Elinor and Edward, Fanny and John, the Middleton's and of course, Marianne and her Colonel Brandon. I thought the expansion of Margaret Dashwood was charming, and she herself; her character and pursuits worth reading about. The "new" gentleman were both very well developed. "Mrs" Williams was indeed a delightful character, and her sweet little boy. It was nice to see her in such a thought-provoking way; seeing her mistakes and trying to train her boy to be a true man and gentleman. I was very caught up in the story, and surprised by the ending - though it is by no means unpleasant! Although it is definately not Jane Austen, it is a pleasant and intriguing story to add after S&S. I sincerely recommend it!

Nothing can come close to Austen. Having said that, I found The Third Sister quite enjoyable in its own right.

Margaret Dashwood, the youngest Dashwood girl, has to choose between two suitors. Who will she choose, the gentleman or the rake? Will she remember what happened to older sister Marianne?

If you're into Austen, give this one a try.

Of the relatively few sequels written to Sense and Sensibility, this would have to be one of the better ones. It is entertaining, though not very accurate to Austen or S&S. As a sequel, it is horrible while as regular book, it's okay. It would have been really nice to see a greater focus on Elinor and Marianne, who, after all, were the characters we fell in love with. Poor Margaret was always ignored by Austen, and it is nice that someone rembered her, but she wasn't the sister that we cried for or the one that we laughed with. Barret does a commendable job in writing an interesting book, but deserves nothing in writing an Austen sequel.