Series: None
Pages: 288
Publisher: Penguin Classics
Release date: 27th March 2003
Buy: Book Depository | Amazon UK | Amazon US | Waterstones
Pages: 288
Publisher: Penguin Classics
Release date: 27th March 2003
Buy: Book Depository | Amazon UK | Amazon US | Waterstones
Goodreads synopsis:
At twenty-seven, Anne Elliot is no longer young and has few romantic prospects. Eight years earlier, she had been persuaded by her friend Lady Russell to break off her engagement to Frederick Wentworth, a handsome naval captain with neither fortune nor rank. What happens when they encounter each other again is movingly told in Jane Austen's last completed novel. Set in the fashionable societies of Lyme Regis and Bath, "Persuasion" is a brilliant satire of vanity and pretension, but, above all, it is a love story tinged with the heartache of missed opportunities.
I have never been a fan of Austen. I have tried many times in the past to read her works, but have never succeeded in getting very far with any of them. However, both Persuasion and Pride and Prejudice are on my reading list for university this year, and so I had no choice but to try again.
When I started Persuasion, I was still convinced of my earlier opinion of Austen's novels. It wasn't until I got a good way into the book, that I started to feel a little more 'at home' with the novel, its style and topics - once I'd passed this point, I began to enjoy the novel a little more than I expected to.
Although I found a lot of the characters irritating (particularly Sir Walter, who irritated me most when he spoke of the apparent number of ugly women in Bath and how difficult it was to see), I still managed to like some of the characters, which was also unexpected, considering my previous encounters with Austen.
I have rated Persuasion 3.5 stars - not because I particularly liked the novel, but because it was a lot more enjoyable than I had expected when I started it, and because by the end of the book, I actually wanted a happy ending for Captain Wentworth and Anne! A very surprising reception from me!
34 comments:
I forgot to say I am going to start a Badge Page on my Blog so will come back and grab yours later, also following you, hope you will be able to support my blog as well. :)
I am a fan of Jane Austen but I think she has to grow on you! Calling by from your interview on CCM, hoping as an aspiring writer you will be interested in the launch parties I am promoting on LindyLouMac's Book Reviews at the moment. Hope to see you there.
http://lindyloumacbookreviews.blogspot.com/
I think you may be right, but I'm still not sure that I am compatible with Austen. But as something I had to read for University, it wasn't as bad as I thought!
What did you think of the interview? It was really nice of Jenny @ CCM to interview me for the first of the features!
Great site. I am a new GFC follower from blogaholic. Hope you'll stop by and follow my blog. Look forward to following you.I shared your blog on My Life.'s face book page. I am a fan of Jane Austen, but I agree that she has to grow on you. Donna
http://mylife-in-stories.blogspot.com
I've read both Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion. Persuasion didn't feel quite as well-plotted as P&P for me, but then Austen did write it while suffering from the illness that eventually killed her so that may have played a part in it.
I managed to ignore the father as a pretentious pig with more money than sense but both of the sisters really grated on me. Despite this, I still really enjoyed the story. =)
If you can't get into P&P I recommend watching the BBC version of it from 1995 with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle: they follow the book almost precisely and there are very few scenes that are left out!
Persuasion is my favorite Jane Austen novel. I like it better than Pride and Prejudice because the story isn't kind of drag-gy.
I think I will find the same as you about this book. I've never been such a JA fan, tried to read other books by her and did not like them, but everybody says Persuasion is the best amongst her books, so, I'll give it a try, just like you did. Hope I enjoy the same - at least to be rated 3.5. =]
I like Jane Austen but it IS hard to get into her stories, that's true. :) Pride and Prejudice is great! I haven't read this one yet but it's on my TBR list!
Oh, wow!! What a sad situation - missed opportunity. I hope they got to rekindle their love, but I guess I'd have to read it to find out.
I am a fan of Jane Austen, but it's been a while since I read PERSUASION. I must pick it up again.
Great review. Jane Austen is my favorite. I haven't read Persuasion in a long time. P&P is usually my go to Austen novel.
I love Jane..while this was not a personal favorite..i do love her work. Great review.
I have always wanted to read Austen but somehow never get around to it. There's been a surge of interest in her works as of late and many takes on her books and/or movies have been made. I have a lot of catching up to do.
ilike the book i read it in when i was in school and would love to read again
desi the blonde at msn dot com
Austen is one of my favorites. Persuasion definitely does get off to a slower start than some of her others. With Austen, it's all in the fine details. She's very subtly hilarious, like Oscar Wilde in a petticoat.
Great review. I have long been a fan of Jane Austen and Persuasion is one of her best (IMO) however, you are right, it does get off to a slow start. I agree with your assessment of Sir Walter.
ouch.. never read any book of jane austen, maybe i should try to read like you ;)
great review^^ I love Jane Austen books^^
Jane Austen is one of my favorite author ever. I have read all of her books (at leat her famous writings such as Pride and Prejudice, Persuasion, Sense and Sensibility, Northanger Abbey, Emma and Mansfield Park). Persuasion is one of my favorite. I love how the story goes between Anne and Captain Wentworth.
Thank u for the review :)
I love Jane Austen... And you have dine a fitting review!
I have not read any Jane Austin books yet, but I want to try them out and this is one of them on the top of the list. I think it might be hard to get in to though!
i dont really like classic book :(
I always love Jane Austen's book, and I'm a huge fan of her. I really loves Pride and Prejudice, she is brilliant! I haven't read this one :/
http://febiola-febby.blogspot.com/
Aw I'm sorry you didn't enjoy it that much. I'm an Austen fan (though I will admit the first time I read one of her books it was a little hard), and Persuasion is one of my favourites! I really loved the story, and the ending.
+JMJ+
Prejudice is my favourite Jane Austen novel! I think it's heads and shoulders over Pride and Prejudice, but doesn't get as much attention because it's more bittersweet.
I'm surprised to read that you've tried Austen before and didn't like her. Most readers seem to think she's the bees knees. I'll have to check your Review Catalogue for other Austen reviews, to see your perspective better. It should be interesting! =)
It's true that Jane Austen's books are very hard to get into, but once you do they're actually great. It took me 3 takes to read Pride and Prejudice, but now I love it.
There's the letter in the end of this book, the one he gives her while he's in a haste to leave, I found it so romantic!
Persuasion is my favorite Austen book. I love my Wentworth! And his letter is to die for. Swoon.
Anne's father is an ass! Actually, Anne's entire family is terrible. I thought she was very deserving of happiness.
That's the thing with most of the classics... you need to take it slowly. I absolutely hated the first 3-4 I read. But going back to them now - I do not even know why I did not like them the first time around!
I just bought this book! Personally, I am a fan of Jane Austen, because I really like the old timey, clean romance sometimes. I figure, since you rated it a 3.5, and you don't even like Austen's works, I will probably enjoy this book very much! Thatnks for your review!
i am a big fan of jane austen...but i think i love PRIDE & PREJUDICE and EMMA better than PERSUASION..
anyway...thx 4 the review :)
I haven't read this one, but I can understand how Jane Austen can be a little hard to get into :) I am happy that you gave it another try! I like your review.
I am 30 years old, and I feel really ashamed that I have never read Austen. Makes me feel bad, for some reason. I really should try. Maybe I will like it, at least a little bit. Well, wish me luck!
Jane Austen's maturity comes through in this novel. It's an excellent read and the characters are well done.
Irene Delux Prince Of Wales Island Fishing Lodges
I loved Persuasion. It is a first rate Jane Austen novel. As it is written in a form of older English language some sentences require a second read for full comprehension. But all in all a very enjoyable read.
Mica
Best Reviews for House Cleaning San Antonio click here
Post a Comment
Thank you for taking the time to comment on my blog - it is always appreciated!