The Three Weissmanns of Westport

I am currently reading Three Weissmanns of Westport, which is billed as an homage to Sense and Sensibility. I am very much enjoying it and think it is really clever update. However, I see from the reviews on LT that there are some who do not like it all.

So I was wondering what do you other Austen-ites think of it? Perhaps you have to have read S&S to appreciate the Three Weissmanns?

I just started reading this book, and am enjoying it as a light read. To me it definitely doesn't have the depth of JA, and I get the sense that the author is somewhat unsympathetic (or at least diffident) toward her characters. I think what's so brilliant about Austen is that you can love Marianne or be exasperated with Marianne--Austen doesn't "tell" you to feel one way or the other. She presents Marianne's character, and lets you decide.

But it's fun to pick out the similarities and how she's "updated" the situations. At first I thought the older ages of the characters weren't going to work, but the further I read, the more it makes sense.

In the past most Austen homages/sequels have left me disappointed, except for The Jane Austen Book Club, and I even enjoyed the movie more than the book.

Have you now finished, and if so, what's your final assessment?

I don't think you necessarily have to read S&S to appreciate the Three Weissmanns -- in fact, I think it might be a detriment because, as kac522 points out, the Three Weissmanns lacks the depth of Jane Austen. Like you, I enjoyed the idea of an update and the tweaking of characters and plot lines, but just didn't care for the characters as much as in S&S or think it was as witty. But, also like kac522, I generally don't like most Austen spin-offs. (And I also agree that The Jane Austen Book Club was one of the rarities where I enjoyed the movie more than the book!)

I liked this one, too, and enjoyed the connections to S & S. Nothing earth-shaking, but a good read. To me, having read S & S added to the fun.