With as many times as I have tried to start this book and set it down before getting to page 3, I wasn't expecting to enjoy this book as much as I have enjoyed many of Jane Austen's other books. I was very mistaken, to say the least.
Persuasion is the story of Anne Elliot, the middle and often ignored daughter of Sir Walter Elliot, and Captain Fredrick Wentworth. Eight years ago, Miss Elliot and Captain Wentworth met and fell in love. They were going to be married but because of objections from her family and friends, Anne was persuaded to break off the engagement. She is still single, at 27 years old, and at this point in her life, she meets him again.
I would love to gush and tell you the whole story but then you might not read this book and you really should. As we all know, Austen is known throughout the world as a masterful story teller and she does beautifully here. The plot is rather small but Austen uses the novel to delve into the minds of her characters, or at least the thoughts of Anne, as the story is told principally from her point of view. This method allows the reader to understand how rediculous Anne's family is, especially her father, as seen in the first chapter:
Vanity was the beginning and the end of Sir Walter Elliot's character: vanity of person and of situation. He had been remarkably handsome in his youth; and, at fifty-four, was still a very fine man. Few women could think more of their personal appearance than he did; nor could the valet of any new made lord be more delighted with the place he held in society. He considered the blessing of beauty as inferior only to the blessing of a baronetcy; and the Sir Walter Elliot, who united these gifts, was the constant object of his warmest respect and devotion.From access to Anne's thoughts, the reader sees how poor Anne still cares for Captain Wentworth, who seems very bitter towards her, even eight years after she was forced to send him away.
All of it is lovely; there is Austen's classic wit that makes us laugh as well as some beautiful passages and speeches of devotion that can make a poor girl's heart flutter (I can't help it! Books like this have made me a hopeless romantic!).
While Persuasion does begin slowly and the first chapter or two can seem slow or uninteresting, keep going. It is worth it, truly!
Rating: 5.0
6 comments:
I loved Persuasion. I'm reading Sense and Sensibility at the moment, and it makes me want to lie down in a dark, quiet room.
Hi,
I totally agree! When I read it I felt like I should be writing down some of Austen's witty comments for future use.
I saw a couple of film versions that were great too. :)
Found your blog via BTT btw :)
Maree - I once started Sense and Sensibility but that was years ago and I ended up setting it down before I finished it. One of these days, I will have to try again.
Jennifer - She did have a gift, without a doubt. Have you seen the old A&E version of Pride and Prejudice with Colin Firth as Darcy? That is a great version and they didn't cut much out, like films normally do!
Yep, I watched it when I did P&P at high school. I liked the more recent version (with Keira Knightly) too, but it's definitely better with more of the book left in!
Hi Just popping in from the A to Z reading challenge site. I love Jane Austen. She is one of my all time favorite authors. I have read most of her books but I don't know if I can pick a favorite. It might be Pride and Predjuice. Are you watching the movies on Masterpiece theatre right now. They have shown about 3 of them. I was not very impressed so far. I am going to keep watching though.
Brittanie - I think I have read four of them now. I still need to read Sense and Sensibility and Northanger Abbey, but I have only seen the movies for Pride and Prejudice - I haven't had the chance to watch the Masterpiece films.
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