Persuasion by Jane Austen

Persuasion

by Jane Austen

'All the privilege I claim for my own sex...is that of loving longest, when existence or when hope is gone.'. Anne Elliot's heartfelt words strike the keynote of Jane Austen's last completed novel. It features a heroine older and wiser than her predecessors in earlier books, and its tone is more intimate and sober as Jane Austen unfolds a simple love-story. She described her heroine in a letter as 'almost too good for me': Anne Elliot's goodness is not of the cloying kind, but an unsentimental quality that, combined with stoicism and integrity, enables her to find happiness in love after seven years when it seemed she had for ever put an end to such a prospect.

Reviewed by Berls on

3 of 5 stars

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This is one of the only Jane Austen books (maybe only?) that I hadn't read so I'm glad that Stephanie suggested we do a buddy read. It was far from my favorite, but I did ultimately enjoy it.

Three stars is low for a Jane Austen from me and there are lots of factors that may have contributed to the lower rating. 1 - we started our buddy read on or around they day Trumpers stormed the capital. So, ya know, not exactly in the best mindset. 2 - my personal life was also imploding with stress, so again, not the best mindset. 3 - expectations were HIGH. Not only have I heard many people consider this their favorite Austen, but I have several favorites to compare it to. Without those factors, I probably would have given it 4 stars, like Stephanie did.

I do really like the heroine, Anne. And it is the classic version of one of my favorite tropes - a second chance romance. It has all the things you can come to expect from an Austen novel. Annoying relatives, duplicitous men, romantic letters, and a very sweet romance. For me, though, the pacing was off. We started really super slow. Once things got going they stayed pretty steady, until the last couple chapter where it was a whirlwind and then it was over.

Since finishing the book today, I have already watched one movie version (1995) and enjoyed it, though it did alter a few things. I think I will try to get in another version (because I saw it has Anthony Steward Head and I love him from Buffy & Merlin). The fact that I do want to watch the movies is a sign that I enjoyed it and perhaps I'll bump my rating to 3.5 stars.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 18 January, 2021: Finished reading
  • 18 January, 2021: Reviewed