This review originally appeared in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette July 14, 2024
In some ways recreating an over-200-year-old classic and beloved work of literature is asking for trouble. Can it live up to the original? Will it hold the interest of a younger generation? If too many people are familiar with the work, how will it feel new and fresh? How does an author keep readers engaged if they already know the general plot twists?
Pittsburgh author Amanda Quain gives a master class in exactly how to do just that, and strikes all the right Jane Austen-inspired chords of wit and whim in her fun, lighthearted book, “Dashed,” an updated-for-2024 take on “Sense and Sensibility.”
That novel, published in fall of 1811, explored societal expectations placed on women in the Regency era (especially in marriage and financial security, which were one and the same), and the characters were forced to move to a new home after the death of the patriarch. In this retelling, the women take to a cruise ship for a summer adventure.
Contrived in all the right ways from page one, the Austen nods are all there (sometimes with a hint of Shakepearean comedy), from names of characters to plot points.
The book follows the Dashwood sisters: Margaret Dashwood, the sensible sister who plans everything to avoid unknowns, arranges a drama-free summer cruise with her recently-married older sister, Elinor, and Elinor’s husband, Edward, who is a chaplain on the ship. However, their plans get dashed (!) by the surprise arrival of their free-spirited younger sister, Marianne.
Margaret is determined to avoid romance at all costs, especially after a family tragedy years ago. However, the presence of a likable, attractive crew member named Gabe throws Margaret’s well-laid plans into disarray — as do her constant matchmaking attempts involving Marianne
The story follows Margaret’s journey as she grapples with her fear of love, her relationship with her sisters as a middle child and the feelings that develop between her and Gabe. For YA and adult readers, this breezy read will delight with its emotional roller coasters and entertaining scenarios.
At one point, Margaret holds auditions in the ship’s theater for suitable men she might introduce to her sister, not that fundamentally different from Regency-era courting, where social rules dictated that a gentleman could only speak to a lady if they were introduced by a mutual acquaintance. Quain also makes it feel like readers are traveling with the sisters on their adventure, which adds to the gratification.
This nautical caper revels in having enough characters to support multiple story lines but stays grounded in a way that won’t confuse readers. The genuine connection formed by characters and the nuance of human emotions that often confound the characters in the moment make this book an escapade in which to revel.
Another strength of this book is its perfect pace. It moves right along during parts that call for hijinx, yet slows enough to allow readers to process heavier, deeper emotional junctures. The writing also aptly portrays the strain and tension young people face as they navigate the difficulties of growing up.
Adjustments for a modern-day portrayal of “Sense and Sensibility” are so well done; those that know Austen’s work will pick up on them immediately, while those that don’t need not worry.
(For Austen fans: the book is Austenian without all of the haggling over estates and land. Other small things are there, too. For example, Col. Brandon becomes Brandon, but he has the same unwavering loyalty and integrity.)
As in “Sense and Sensibility,” the characters here learn to recognize the importance of reason and communication in relationships. They also learn to know themselves in spite of the “shoulds” fired at them from every direction, from family members to casual acquaintances.
That discovery of a strong sense of self in “Dashed” is something any reader can benefit from, especially in a world with social media. It’s good we have Quain to remind us that although change is inevitable, sometimes it takes 200-year-old lessons to remind us what’s important.
Meredith Cummings is a freelance journalist and teaching assistant professor of journalism at Lehigh University.