ISBN-13: 9780486295558Publisher: Dover Publications
Published: April 1997
224 pgs
Persuasion is the third Austen's book I read, after Pride and Prejudice and Northanger Abbey and I wish I had read all her completed works earlier because they are such a delightful read.
In Persuasion, our heroine is a twenty-seven year old Anne Elliot and I have to say she is the sweetest heroine I have read among Austen's heroines I had read so far. Oh, she is equally charming as compared to the other heroines, but unlike the others I feel she is too good as compared to the others. She is always putting other people's needs before her, which I feel is a great quality but not when it concerns her happiness. You see, she has a fancy with Frederick Wentworth, a naval officer eight years before the story begins, but regrettably she has to break off the relationship because her father and Lady Russell, a family friend think he is not worthy of her at that time.
Though saddened by the breakup, Anne moved on with her life although the thought of Frederick strikes her mind once in a while. Later, when Frederick returns being a rich and successful captain, they crosses path once again but this time, Anne's family is having financial problems and she has to seek tenancy in Kellynch Hall.
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You've now officially read my three favourite Austens! :)
I rank those three for first (Northanger might be slightly behind P&P and Persuasion, but barely), Emma for second, and S&S and Mansfield Park in third. But of course, even my least favourite Austen is better than most other books. I've read them all multiple times, and my favourites so many times I've lost count!
I have read all of Austen's novels and I even have all of them on DVD in one form or another. I love all of them, but Northhanger Abbey is my favourite, closely followed by Pride and Prejudice.
I'm so glad you're enjoying Austen, you'll be loving the next ones as well!
I've only read P&P and this one, and I loved them both. I do have Austen's entire set of stories in two volumes, and some day I will get to them all! I had read that Austen was actually very sick when she wrote this book, and died before it was published. Her brother even named the novel. I thought this story was cut a little short versus P&P, and that may be the reason. I just love Austen!
Great review, Melody! The only Austen book I've read so far is P&P. I need to work on reading the others (all in my TBR).
I LOVED this book!
It's my second Austen fav next to P&P.
Great review, glad you enjoyed it.
That letter Frederick writes her near the end...*swoon*
Have you seen the BBC film version?? It's very good.
I still need to read S&S and Northanger Abbey.
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/
I re-read an Austen novel every year on her birthday (December 16th). Persuasion is my second favorite also, after P&P. I love the feeling that Austen is trying to persuade us to buy into everything by the end.
I really need to read this one, but it's the only Austen book I don't own. I've heard mixed things about it, so I'm glad to hear you're counting it as one of your favorites. Also, if you're using this for the classics challenge, just leave the link in the comments section for June reviews and I'll add the link (maybe slowly...I've been a little absent lately). :(
So far out of the Austen books I've read, Emma is my favorite, but I hope to read Sense and Sensibility soon.
Eva - I need to catch up on reading Emma, S&S and Mansfield Park soon! ;)
Susi - I only have the dvd on P&P and you bet I'm going to look out for the rest!
Sandy - I read about Austen being sick while writing this book. It's a pity that she died so young because she was so talented!
Alice - Thanks, Alice! I hope you'll read the rest of Austen's works soon! They're all gems! :)
Naida - I'm glad to hear this is one of your favourites too besides P&P. ;)
No, I haven't watched the film adaptation but I'm going to look out for it!
Amy - That's good that you're re-reading Austen novel every year. I think it's a great way in honouring her works!
Trish - We must have crossed our posts, LOL.
I hope you're able to find this book soon!
Thanks! I'll add the link in a moment. :)
Another Austen romance? You've made me want to buy this book. But I already have 3 other Austen books in my TBR. I should get to them first I guess.
I've only read P&P, but look forward to one day reading all of Austen's novels.
I love Austen.... I was going to reread everything last year. I did P&P and then got distracted.
Persuasion is my favorite -- I am glad you enjoyed it. I love that Anne is quiet and helpful and still gets the guy for her. The BBC film is just as good.
I agree, this is a lovely book. I was surprised at how much it engaged me. I plan to reread it sometime this year, too.
But as lovely as it is, my favourite has to be NORTHANGER ABBEY. I love all references to other novels!
I'm like Jess, Persuasion is my favorite Austen. I've read all of her completed novels - and I think Sense and Sensibility is my second favorite and then Pride and Prejudice. The only one I didn't really care for was Northanger Abbey.
I am so glad you enjoyed reading Persuasion, Melody. I enjoyed it very much too. Anne is one of my favorite characters. She isn't quite as strong willed as the other heroines I've met so far in the books I've read by Jane Austen, I know, but there's just something about her, you know?
I loved your review Melody! And, what synchronicity... I was just thinking this morning of my summer reads and thought I should pick up another Austen. This may be the one. I've only read two and am working myself up to P&P :)
The two I've read which I loved have been Northanger Abbey and Emma.
My favorite are: Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility and Emma. I also seen some movie for them and love it too. I'm glad you've read Persuasion and given it a good grade, because I like that book too :)
I hope you try to read some of the titles by Austen that I mention above. It great!
I am kind of pathetic. Pride and Prejudice is one of my favorite books, but the only other Austen I've read is Sense and Sensibility. I think I need to add her other books to my list.
Persuasion and Northanger Abbey are the only Austen novels I have yet to read. I have her shorter stories, too, "Lady Susan", "The Watsons", and "Sanditon", to read also, but I've been working through her books in order of publication. P&P is my favorite and Emma my least fav thus far.
Persuasion is actually the one I'm least familiar with, too :-)
Violet - I hope you'll get Persuasion. It's a great read! I hope you'll also enjoy the three Austen's books you have. :)
Stephanie - I really need to catch up on the other books by Austen!
Beth - I'm impressed, Beth! I don't mind re-reading P&P again since that's my favourite. ;)
Jess - I like Anne too! I should check out the film adaptation!
Memory - I liked it that Northanger Abbey has a little gothic feel to it.
Carrie - I think I'd choose S&S for my next read by Austen!
Wendy - Indeed! Anne is very different but I liked the way she is. :)
Iliana - I hope you'll read Persuasion soon! Can't wait to hear what you think about it. ;)
Julia - I'm glad to see there're lots of Austen's fans and that most of her books are all favourites by her readers. :)
Kim - You're another commentator to mention about S&S. I guess I need to read this book next! ;P
Koolaidmom - Oh, I've recently mooched a copy of Lady Susan/The Watsons/Sanditon; it's a 3-in-1 book.
Persuasion is by far my favorite Austen novel; I think it's the most adult and complex of those I've read so far (all the major ones). I wouldn't call Anne too sweet, though, more like too self-effacing.
Schatzi - I think so too, Schatzi. I like Anne as much as I like Elizabeth.
It's never too late to discover Jane Austen. :)
Your review has made me really want to reread Persuasion. Perhaps that will have to happen soon. I've read all of them, and my favourite is Sense & Sensibility.
Court - Indeed. :)
I really look forward to reading the rest of Jane's books in the near future!