A warning for the wary: this post contains a few mild spoilers, more like hints, but nothing overt.
Finally we have a Sense & Sensibility sequel I can love! Jane Odiwe, as she did in Lydia Bennet's Story, has written a tale that clearly demonstrates her deep love of and respect for Austen and her characters. As I read Willoughby's Return: A Tale of Almost Irresistible Temptation, I never once had to stop and moan about a character acting in a manner incongruous to his or her essence (one of my greatest pet peeves). I must admit I found the subtitle a bit misleading and was very grateful that this story did not find Marianne Brandon doing anything untenable: her love of Colonel Brandon is pervasive throughout. Instead of confirming his roguishness, this story gives Willoughby the opportunity to complete the redemption Austen began.
More than Willoughby, this story is about the misunderstandings that result from the difficulties of communication in a highly regulated society - a rather constant theme throughout Austen. Even after marriage, Marianne and Colonel Brandon find themselves restrained from openly sharing their insecurities and fears. The same issue plagues Margaret Dashwood, now a grown lady of 18, as she negotiates her budding romance with a nephew of Colonel Brandon, Henry Lawrence.
The structure of the story largely mimics that of Sense & Sensibility, beginning in the country and moving to London for the season, the removal from which is marked by an illness. We again meet Mrs. Jennings, the Middletons, Lucy & Robert Ferrers, and Anne Steele in all their glory. Surprisingly absent are John and Fanny Dashwood, the latter being replaced (in spirit) by Lady Lawrence. Eliza Williams and her daughter are brought to life in a very sympathetic manner and Marianne's response to them is thoroughly realistic. I could have wished that Elinor and, particularly, Edward Ferrars played a larger role in the story but, as Ms. Odiwe has firmly establishes them as perfectly happy, they do not have much momentum to offer the plot. My only real complaint is that the book seemed to end too quickly. I'll just leave it with the statement that Margaret Dashwood is a far more forgiving lady than I could ever be.
This is definitely a book I will read again, probably directly on the tail of my next reading of Sense & Sensibility. I have long been a big fan of Lydia Bennet's Story and I must admit I like this book even better (the course of events in it are a bit more historically believable). Willoughby's Return is an excellent example of why Austen fan fiction should be left in the hands of those who ardently love and faithfully study Jane's work. It's one of the most satisfying sequels I have encountered.
Great! I'll order a copy today.
ReplyDeleteI know you'll enjoy it Megan. We do tend to agree on these things.
ReplyDeleteHow nice to hear - I'm really looking forward to reading this book from the library over Christmas break.
ReplyDeleteI think you'll like it - we both share a distaste for overtly sexual content in Austen fan fic. Ms. Odiwe does an excellent job of portraying a mature and loving marriage between Marianne and Colonel Brandon without going too far. It's a balancing act many others need to learn (including myself as I try to write my second volume - I want Elizabeth and Darcy to be passionate without intruding on their privacy).
ReplyDeleteOh, good! My hopes are increased. I am a bit sad to know Elinor and Edward aren't bigger characters, but I'm also a huge Margaret fan, so that's of the good.
ReplyDeleteI would have liked more Edward but he, I believe, makes only two appearances in the entire book and only speaks in the first. Elinor is more present, especially before they leave for London. I am, however, pretty O.K. with this, particularly in comparison with the only other sequel I have read. In fact, I have only ever read two other real Sense & Sensibility adaptations before this - Colonel Brandon's Diary and Eliza's Daughter. The former is actually my favorite of Amanda Grange's diaries - I really like how she portrays the youthful Brandon - but the latter was not at all to my taste. I think I've already confessed that I am not a big fan of Joan Aiken's work when we discussed Mansfield Park. Willoughby's Return is particularly gratifying because Elinor and Edward are so happily situated while, in Eliza's Daughter, Aiken portrays their life at Delaford as rather hellish. It really upset me when I read it. This book is so much kinder to Austen's characters (and I do hate to see them suffer).
ReplyDeleteWhat a great review! I really want to read this book!
ReplyDeleteI think you will really enjoy it when you do. I'd like to read your review.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely review! I loved your stating "this story gives Willoughby the opportunity to complete the redemption Austen began." That is so very true. Also I love how you pointed out the similarities in location between S&S and this book, I didn't even notice that! I have yet to read Lydia Bennet's Story, but I am very eager to now!
ReplyDeleteI have not read Eliza's Daughter, and have heard things that make me not want to read it. I have read The Third Sister by Julia Barrett, have you? I thought it was dry and hard to get through.
I haven't read The Third Sister - I have been working my way through your Austenesque lists but haven't gotten to Sense and Sensibility yet - but have read Presumption by Julia Barrett, which was quite cute.
ReplyDeleteI'm really not a huge fan of Aiken's writing. Eliza's Daughter actually sits a bit better with me than most of her other books precisely because, as Eliza isn't actually in Sense and Sensibility, she hasn't altered the fundamental nature of the characters. Nonetheless, her brief portrayal of Edward and Elinor's life together is miserable and Marianna and Colonel Brandon, while never actually in the text, come off as totally selfish and neglectful. The best part of the book is the beginning when Aiken shows Liz (Eliza Jr.) as a child cavorting with Wordsworth and Coleridge.