Patricia Meyer Spacks is Edgar F. Shannon Professor of English, Emerita, at the University of Virginia.
If you haven’t yet seen the Harvard University Press’s annotated
Jane Austen series, prepare yourself for a major treat. This year
Sense and Sensibility joins the other novels—Pride and Prejudice,
Persuasion, Emma, and Northanger Abbey… The books are gorgeous.
Notes and commentary in the broad margins enlighten and enrich the
text and offer historic context without interfering with the
narrative flow. Illustrations are plentiful and include everything
from an old engraving of the Theatre Royal in London’s Drury Lane
to a still from the Hugh Grant–Emma Thompson film version of the
novel. Jane Austen lovers worldwide will cherish these books.
*Christian Science Monitor*
This series of annotated, illustrated classics from Harvard Press
has become a lovely annual tradition. Over the years, the press has
published annotated editions of The Wind in the Willows [and] The
Picture of Dorian Gray (both annotated and uncensored!), and many
others. Each one has been carefully and beautifully edited. The
editors know what we like, though, and they have done more Jane
Austen than they have anyone else; Sense and Sensibility: An
Annotated Edition is the press’s fifth Austen book and is a worthy
addition. It’s gorgeous to look at, with moire endpapers,
illustrations from various editions of the book (as well as
photographs of objects of the time, and paintings of contemporary
well-known people), and, of course, the intelligent and abundant
annotations, by scholar Patricia Meyer Spacks.
*Star Tribune*
[Spacks] is particularly astute at contextualizing 19th century
thought and ideas for a contemporary audience… For people returning
to the novel, Spacks’ notes are quite illuminating, mostly serious,
but occasionally fun… Spacks’ introduction and annotations indicate
a person who has spent a considerable amount of time with the
Dashwoods and their assorted friends and foes. This handsome
edition is all the richer for it.
*PopMatters*
This annotated edition of Sense and Sensibility is a beautiful
book, printed on acid-free, cream vellum paper with generous
margins and woven bindings. It is an intelligent and enlightening
literary companion, and an essential addition to any serious
collection of Jane Austen’s works.
*Sydney Morning Herald*
The illustrations, literary commentary and definitions should be
useful and interesting to any student of Jane Austen’s novels.
*Austenprose*
Harvard’s series of annotated Jane Austen works continues with this
superb edition of Sense and Sensibility. What a boon to the student
of Austen… Sense and Sensibility is my favorite Austen novel: this
edition increased my enjoyment and understanding many times
over.
*Jane Austen’s Regency World*
With wit and wonderful attention to subtleties, and to often moving
effect, Spacks guides the reader to a wider appreciation of this
early Austen novel.
*Deidre Lynch, University of Toronto*
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