Jane Austen

PERSUASION; ED. BY JAMES KINSLEY.

The romance between Captain Wentworth and Anne, the daughter of Sir Walter Elliot, is doomed because of the young man's family connections and lack of wealth, until he makes his fortune at sea and returns to claim her as his wife.

Persuasion

Basic Lit

…but Anne, with an elegance of mind and sweetness of character, which must have placed her high with any people of real understanding, was nobody with either father or sister.

Such a succinct combination of character and social commentary. One paragraph sets up Sir Walter Elliot perfectly. 

Vanity was the beginning and the end of Sir Walter Elliot’s character; vanity of person and of situation… He considered the blessing of beauty as inferior only to the blessing of a baronetcy; and Sir Walter Elliot, who united these gifts, was the constant object of his warmest respect and devotion.

Klára Kováčiková 

My idea of good company...is the company of clever, well-informed people, who have a great deal of conversation; that is what I call good company.'

'You are mistaken,' said he gently, 'that is not good company, that is the best.

...when pain is over, the remembrance of it often becomes a pleasure.

I hate to hear you talk about all women as if they were fine ladies instead of rational creatures. None of us want to be in calm waters all our lives.

She felt that she could so much more depend upon the sincerity of those who sometimes looked or said a careless or a hasty thing, than of those whose presence of mind never varied, whose tongue never slipped.

Eight years ago Anne Elliot bowed to pressure from her family and made the decision not to marry the man she loved, Captain Wentworth. Now, circumstances have conspired to bring him back into her social circle and Anne finds her old feelings for him reignited. However, when they meet again Wentworth behaves as if they are strangers and seems more interested in her friend Louisa. In this, her final novel, Jane Austen tells the story of a love that endures the tests of time and society with humour, insight and tenderness.

i'm dead. i need frederick in my life right now.

vika

I can listen no longer in silence. I must speak to you by such means as are within my reach. You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope. Tell me not that I am too late, that such precious feelings are gone for ever. I offer myself to you again with a heart even more your own, than when you almost broke it eight and a half ago. Dare not to say that man forgets sooner than woman, that his love has an earlier death. I have loved none but you.

cora rolfes 

You pierce my soul, I am half agony, half hope 

Zoe Ivie 

“You pierce my soul, I am half agony, half hope

miraj

Meghan Navoy

nothing like a good, long romantic pining

Jane Austin

Jane Austen Jane Austen, an English novelist, was born on 16 Dec 1775 and died on 18th July 1817. She wrote on romantic fiction and made the reputation of great English novelist. Her famous works are Sense and Sensibility (1811), Pride and Prejudice (1813), Mansfield Park (1814) and Emma (1816), Northanger Abbey and Persuasion.

Jane Austin is one of my favorite writters, i love that her characters are relatable, strong headed and have honest flaws making them seem so much closer to actual people. 

Tijana

The book didn’t move me, The characters were great but it was hard for me to get attached. 

Ania Wysoczanska

Anna Ureta

I think this is my first time reviewing a classical novel and I doubt I’d be very good at it. The book is from a different time, when books were criticized differently as well as written differently. Still, I’ll do my best to give an honest review/opinion of what I thought of this infamous Jane Austen novel.

When she was young Anne Elliot was engaged to Fredrick Wentworth, but after some persuasion done by her family members Anne broke off the engagement and has regretted it ever since. After a chance meeting, and several family connections the two meet again, both still single, and both ready to settle down. However, Anne feels he hasn’t forgiven her for breaking his heart and that he hasn’t gotten over the loss either.

I didn’t like this book as much as Pride and Prejudice or Sense and Sensibility but that may also be because Austen wrote this book much later in life when her writing was much more polished and not dependent on main character narrative. Anne did very little of anything in this book until the last several chapters and it was kind of boring to watch actually…

Honestly, one of the first thoughts that popped into my head while reading this book is that, “This is like the How I Met Your Mother” of Jane Austen novels. And when I say that, I mean even Anne is just a spectator during all these events, hardly doing anything, hardly giving an opinion, just sort of there…telling the story from her point of view. For the majority of the book Anne just seemed so unimportant and insignificant compared to Elizabeth and Elenor in her other novels. It really wasn’t until the end that I had a proficient amount of interest in her, or in Captain Wentworth, who isn’t as charming as Mr. Darcy but he has his good qualities.

I will say that the 2007 BBC Adaptation did help in understanding the book a lot better and I do love my movie adaptations. It was pretty good, except the beginning angles of the movie which were…weird. The last 15 minutes of the movie was just SO FAST like crazy fast, it just took away from everything. Should have just made it a two hour movie if you ask me, but I don’t think people in 2007 had much patience haha.

Again, not my favourite Jane Austen novel but I was glad to have read it none the less. Maybe I’ll try Wuthering Heights next time I decide to pick up a classic novel. Or maybe Alice in Wonderland.

Jamieson

I can listen no longer in silence. I must speak to you by such means as are within my reach. You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope. Tell me not that I am too late, that such precious feelings are gone forever.


Okay so like if I hashed it out Pride and Prejudice would pip it at the post but I still love this SO MUCH and it was great. Jane Austen you never miss! She just does not MISS!

Dennise Nicole

As my first Jane Austen book, I really loved this one. Especially with how these days we can easily be persuaded by someone special in our lives. Once they say something, we rely more on their opinion rather than what we feel or our thoughts on something. Although Jane Austen's plots are also really cool. [spoiler incoming] I really loved Captain Wentworth's Letter to Anne Elliot. I do not think that I will ever get rid of that letter in my head. This reminded me that love will always be tough and will always hurt if it is true.

Rachel Kanyid

Meh. I listened to it in audio book but I still couldn't care enough to pay all that much attention....

Jane Austen's most mature and wickedly satirical final novel with gorgeous illustrations. Part of the Macmillan Collector’s Library; a series of stunning, clothbound, pocket sized classics with gold foiled edges and ribbon markers. These beautiful books make perfect gifts or a treat for any book lover. This edition features gorgeous illustrations by Hugh Thomson and an afterword by author and critic Henry Hitchings. Persuasion follows the story of Anne Elliott, who as a teenager was engaged to a seemingly ideal man, Frederick Wentworth. But after being persuaded by her friend Lady Russell that he is too poor to be a suitable match, Anne ends their engagement. When they are reacquainted eight years later, their circumstances are transformed: Frederick is returning triumphantly from the Napoleonic War, while Anne's fortunes are floundering. Will their past regrets prevent them from finding future happiness?

Jasmine Stanway

I started this book not terribly enthralled, the first 150 pages kind of dragged for me. But by the end of the book I was thoroughly moved. The last 100 or so pages really did bring everything at the beginning in full circle and I now fully understand the love Janeites have for Captain Wentworth 🙏🏻 I’ll definitely re read it again, and hopefully will enjoy the first part of the book more! Now to watch the film adaptation 👏🏻👏🏻

The Penguin English Library Edition of Persuasion by Jane Austen 'Her attachment and regrets had, for a long time, clouded every enjoyment of youth; and an early loss of bloom and spirits had been their lasting effect' Persuasion, Jane Austen's last novel, is a moving, masterly and elegiac love story tinged with the heartache of missed opportunities. It tells the story of Anne Elliot, who, persuaded to break off her engagement to the man she loved because he was not successful enough, has never forgotten him. When he returns, he brings with him a tantalizing second chance of happiness ... The Penguin English Library - 100 editions of the best fiction in English, from the eighteenth century and the very first novels to the beginning of the First World War.

Trish

You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope… I have loved none but you.

For starters, if this book could be described in one song it would be "Back to December" by Taylor Swift. This is just straight up angsty I'm sorry I rejected you when you were the love of my life, but now that I've realized my mistake you want nothing to do with me and are potentially moving on and that makes me sad and nostalgic and full of regret and self loathing vibes. 

Okay, now on to the review. Am I the only one who finds it extremely difficult to rank Austen's novels? Apart from Pride & Prejudice, which set the benchmark for all Austen novels/adaptations thereafter, I find them all a little similar and too formulaic. Being the last novel Jane Austen wrote before she died, I expected Persuasion to be unique, daring, and a little out of her comfort zone. I mean, yeah it was different, but not enough to impress me. 

I enjoyed the first half of this novel much more than the second half. The setting, the history between Anne and Wentworth, the family issues all set the scene perfectly. As the plot plodded along, I kept waiting to be caught by surprise to be captivated by something, but I wasn't. The second half of the novel was too predictable for me to give this 5 stars. Somehow, I also don't think any of the characters from this novel are particularly memorable, especially if you're one who read the books in order of release. Lucy is a fine protagonist and her dilemma is relatable - what do you do when, after 8 years, you're forced to face the one that got away? And he's rich, accomplished, respected, handsome and has become all the things you wanted (and still want) in a potential partner - only 8 years too late. It's a story about second chances and miscommunication (which Austen novel isn't tbh?). But I still think she lacks a certain quality that makes truly great heroines. 

Don't get me wrong, I liked this novel and gave it 4 stars, but it just didn't knock my socks off. I feel like it should also be noted that I thought Jane Austen's writing style difficult to process in this novel. The dialogues I could decipher perfectly, but she does a LOT of telling in this novel and, more than once, I found myself getting lost in the narration and having to re-read passages to make sure I understood what had just transpired. But all in all, I think it was a successful read and I will definitely be picking up another Austen novel in the future.

For more bookish photos, reviews and updates follow me on instagram @concerningnovels.

Jagoda

"You pierce my soul. I'm half agony, half hope."

Listen, I'm not a homewrecker, but imma steal this man🧎🏃

Abi Hills

One of my all-time favourite classics! I would argue this is same tier as Pride and Prejudice and I absolutely loved the characters of Anne and Captain Wentworth. I had so much fun reading this! 

First Jane Austen novel I’ve read, and it was a great one to start out with. Absolutely lovely and easy to connect and relate to. There’s a reason why it’s a classic. 

Jacque

Connor 

ana lomidze

I was bored out of my mind and not at all excited while reading this, however, the last quarter is worth all the boredom. the letter at the end is so extremely pleasing not only because of the build-up, but also because of Wentworth's raw emotions. still boring though.

This is my favourite Jane Austen boon ! Love it ! 

Sarah

Eight years ago Anne Elliot bowed to pressure from her family and made the decision not to marry the man she loved, Captain Wentworth. Now circumstances have conspired to bring him back into her social circle and Anne finds her old feelings for him reignited. However, when they meet again, Wentworth behaves as if they are strangers and seems more interested in her friend Louisa. In this, her final novel, Jane Austen tells the story of a love that endures the tests of time and society with humour, insight, and tenderness.

Gisela Ayala 

Great re-read. Ready for the movie tonight!

Cu Persuasion

Rebecca Self 

Jane Austen’s stories are always so entertaining to me. Austen is such a funny writer, and there were many instances that I snickered out loud at something a character said or the way the narrator narrated something. 

Anne differs a lot from her family. While they are caught up in making decisions based on social status and wanting to be surrounded with extravagance and others who have wealth and fortune, Anne enjoys being around everyone. Because of this, many people look more fondly upon her than either of her sisters. She has a couple of male admirers throughout the book, and the Musgrove sisters even admit that they wish Anne, rather than her sister, had married their brother. I liked how Anne didn’t fall into the same way of thinking as the rest of her family. 

My favorite part of the story was Anne’s clear character development from when she was younger up until the present. It seems as though Anne is very timid in her thoughts and that she doesn’t want people to look down upon her. In her youth, Anne was very easily persuaded by Lady Russell – denying not one, but two men from marrying her simply because Lady Russell did not believe it to be a good fit. Even now, it is clear that Lady Russell still has some hold over Anne’s decisions, and she doesn’t take Anne’s feelings into consideration when determining what is best. The appalling moment that Anne realizes that Lady Russell almost persuaded her again into doing something she would regret is the best part of the whole story. She learns that although it is not bad to seek advice from others, she should be the one making the decisions for her life. 

Overall, I highly recommend this book. Watching Anne’s character grow over the course of the novel was so awesome, and Austen’s stories are just such great and funny reads.

Nicole Dykeman

This one and Pride and Prejudice are 100% my favorites.

Library Edition

Jayme Bosio

I love the relationship between Captain Wentworth and Ann Elliot. I felt weak in the knees when she read his letter. This is the ultimate love story.

Chiara Fabbri

Lauren Wightman

Listened to the audiobook on spotify. Really liked it, I just wish the romance backstory was demonstrated more

PERSUASION; ED. BY JAMES KINSLEY.

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