Everything changes, that is the simple, unbearable truth.
Cathleen Schine – The Three Weissmanns of Westport
Change and Truth
C
“The Three Weissmanns of Westport” by Cathleen Schine is a modern-day retelling of Jane Austen’s classic novel “Sense and Sensibility.” Set in the affluent town of Westport, Connecticut, the novel follows Betty Weissmann, a recent divorcee, and her two grown daughters, Annie and Miranda. Forced to leave their Manhattan apartment due to financial constraints, the women move to a dilapidated beach cottage and navigate the challenges of starting anew. As Betty seeks to rebuild her life and find love again, Annie and Miranda also grapple with their own romantic and personal dilemmas, drawing parallels to Austen’s themes of love, loss, and the resilience of familial bonds. Schine’s novel is both a witty homage to Austen’s timeless narrative and a contemporary exploration of relationships, identity, and the enduring power of family.