Persuasion
by Jane Austen
Published: 1818
Genres: Adult Fiction, Romance
Format: eBook (308 pages)
Source: Purchased
Twenty-seven-year old Anne Elliot is Austen's most adult heroine. Eight years before the story proper begins, she is happily betrothed to a naval officer, Frederick Wentworth, but she precipitously breaks off the engagement when persuaded by her friend Lady Russell that such a match is unworthy. The breakup produces in Anne a deep and long-lasting regret.
My first impression of Persuasion was that Jane Austen writes some interesting and detailed characters. Right from page one, Sir Walter was my favorite character. He’s a jerk, yeah, but he’s hilarious. I don’t know that the characters in this book are as modern as they are in say Pride and Prejudice, but the author’s brutal honesty, especially about the less appealing characters, is always entertaining. The whole story made me really think about how much other people influence our lives and whether or not that is always a good thing.
And can Jane Austen write a romance. The flirting, the dashing hero that you want but can’t have, and that beautiful love letter! I do have to say that there was one major climactic scene that just felt cheesy to me. Oh the horror! Other than that, it was refreshing and fun to read a Jane Austen novel that I didn’t even know existed until a few years ago.
Content Rating: None.
About Jane Austen
She was an English novelist whose works of romantic fiction, set among the landed gentry, earned her a place as one of the most widely read writers in English literature. Her realism and biting social commentary have gained her historical importance among scholars and critics. Jane Austen lived her entire life as part of a close-knit family located on the lower fringes of the English landed gentry. She was educated primarily by her father and older brothers as well as through her own reading. The steadfast support of her family was critical to her development as a professional writer.
My name is Jessica. I love to read Young Adult and classic literature. I’ve been a book blogger for six years and I haven’t gotten tired of it yet. I’m a very curious reader. Writing about all the questions and thoughts I had while reading a book is the best hobby ever.
This one is my favorite Austen…and, yes, it’s probably because of that letter. ;)
It might be one of my favorite Austen novels, too. :) I have a few more of her novels left to read, but I really liked this one.
Glad you liked this one! I am ashamed to admit that I have never read anything by Jane Austen, myself. Though I did listen to an audiobook of Sense and Sensibility lately and I agree with you about the characters! Do you think you’ll read For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund, the YA retelling of Persuasion, now? I really loved that one.
It’s funny you mention For Darkness Shows the Stars because that’s the main reason I picked up Persuasion right now. :D I loved it too and it was really fun to pick out the similarities between the two. It was actually a pretty faithful re-telling. Love Jane Austen!
Sigh. I love this book! It’s a fave. It might be because I read it while my then boyfriend (now husband) was on a church mission for 2 years. The whole story of being separated but getting back together was so real to me. :) Love it!
Clean Teen Fiction
Clean Adult Fiction
Aww that’s adorable!