The book tells us the story of two sisters, very much unlike each other in character, one, Elinor, very mature and stable, and the other, Marianne, impulsive and easily excited.
The difference between the two sisters is brought out at every instance. In their behaviour with their acquaintances, Marianne is sometimes rude and insensitive to the feelings of others, but Elinor is always steady, and trying to make up for Marianne’s rudeness as well. Marianne is hasty in passing judgement on others, in spite of Elinor’s advice and caution.
The difference in their characters is seen even in their choice of life partners. Both the sisters fall in love (with different persons of course), and are (at least temporarily) disappointed in their lovers. We see how Elinor bears her loss bravely and with fortitude, whereas Marianne simply falls to pieces and even comes close to death.
As usual, as in her other novels, Jane Austen creates her characters, who are so believable and so next-door type. Everyone is sure to have in his/her acquaintance a Sir John, a Mrs. Jennings, and even a Nancy Steele :-)
As the story draws to a close, Marianne realizes her own folly and resolves to be better in future. And this time she choses a much more suitable partner for life. Elinor is also pleasantly surprised when she finds out that what she had thought she had lost forever, she had not lost at all!
I feel that the heroines in this book are all well sketched out, but the heroes are too hazy and weak. Edward Ferrars does not look to me at all deserving of the able Elinor. Even Colonel Brandon is too weak a hero, whereas Willoughby is truly detestable.
As a heroine-centric book, it is worth a read, but it does not rise to the standard of the other Jane Austen novels.