Persuasion

Sir Walter Elliot, Lord of Kellynch Hall, is an extravagant, self-aggrandizing snob, and a bit of a dandy to boot. He has been a widower for many years and spends money beyond his means to increase his social stature. His eldest daughter, upon whom he dotes, is as conceited and spoiled as he is. The youngest daughter, Anne, is an intelligent, sensitive, capable, and unassuming woman in her late twenties when the story opens. She had been quite pretty at one time, but life's disappointments have taken their toll and her looks are fading. She and her sister are both spinsters. Anne had once been very much in love with a young, and as yet untried, navel officer. A woman who had been a close friend to Anne's mother, persuaded Anne to "break the connection," convincing her that she could make a much better match. After much consideration, Anne did not follow her heart or her better instincts, and she and her young officer, Frederick Wentworth, separated. She has never again found the mutual love or companionship that she had with him. Anne's older sister never married either, because she hadn't found anyone good enough! She still hopes, however, for an earl or a viscount.

The Elliot family is forced to financially retrench because of their extravagance. They lease Kellynch Hall to...of all people...Wentworth's sister and her husband. Elliot, his oldest daughter and her companion, move to a smaller lodging in Bath for the season, leaving Anne to pack up their belongings before joining them. She gets the Cinderella treatment throughout the book. Anne decides to first visit with her middle sister, an abominably spoiled, whiny hypochondriac, Mrs. Musgrove. She has made a good, but not brilliant match to a local squire. Her husband, Charles Muskgrove, his parents, and their two younger, eligible daughters, Louisa and Henrietta, are delightful. They all tolerate Mrs. Muskgrove, barely, and adore Anne. It is at the Muskgrove estate that Anne meets Frederick Wentworth again, after his absence of seven years. He is in the neighborhood, because his sister is now in the area, residing at Kellynch, of course. Wentworth is now a Captain in the Royal Navy and quite wealthy. When their eyes meet for the first time, you can absolutely feel Anne's longing and remorse. He is aloof with Anne, although civil. The man was hurtfully rejected once before and it appears that he still feels her snub. Now Wentworth is on the marriage market and Louisa sets her cap for him. Accidents and various adventures ensue, from the resorts of Lyme and Bath to the Muskgrove estate, bringing Anne and Wentworth closer together. The passion between the two is so palpable, although very understated, (this is Regency England after all). I think this is Ms. Austen at her most passionate. Some scholars say that she modeled Anne Elliot after herself.

"Persuasion" is a remarkable novel and the issues it tackles are just as germane today as they were when the book was written. And the romance...well, no one does romance better than Jane Austen.
JANA


The best love letter I've ever read!   May 23, 2000
11 out of 12 found this review helpful

We had to read this for our final year exams, and let me tell you it was luxurious being able to read one of the two best Jane Austen books (alongside with "Pride and Prejudice") and still say that you were doing homework. While somewhat bleaker than "Pride and Prejudice", the characters are lovingly drawn, from the past lovers Anne Elliot and Captain Wentworth to the biting satire used on Walter Elliot, Baronet. The love letter contained is not to be missed as it is one of the most eloquent parts of the novel, and you will definitely want to visit Bath after reading this book, and to "see the steps where..."!


I was persuaded   March 13, 2004
8 out of 11 found this review helpful

Persuasion. I believe it to be Jane Austen's greatest triumph. A hugely underrated novel it is criminally overshadowed by glitzy film remakes of Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice. This book disproves anyone who dislikes Ms Austen on the principle that 'nothing really happens' and therefore her books are of no significance. She clearly illustrates her social perceptiveness and we are engrossed in a world full of characters still applicable in the present day. Anyone who has experienced too many meddlers in their romantic life or an unfortunate, unwanted separation will empathise with the likeable Anne. Read it.


Wonderful, would we expect anything less!   April 3, 2007
Luna Scarlette Moon (TIPPERARY, IRELAND)
3 out of 4 found this review helpful

Another Jane Austen novel with a strong heroin and a love story as the theme but this heroin is not as strong and self-confident to a certain degree as previous female characters. She finds herself being led by others and being denied the one thing she wants more than anything. In her impressionable state she turns away the man she loves because he does not come up to her families standards. This aspect of the novel is still realistic in our lifes, which poves pride will never die. Thankfully the young woman sees sence and obeying only her own will proclaims her love. A true lesson for everyone who dares to live and love, be inspired to listen to your own heart and not to be altered by others opinions as it is only yours that matters.


Her finest novel   January 7, 2000
5 out of 10 found this review helpful

Austen lovers can argue all day about which is the best. Like many people I have a soft spot for Pride and Prejudice but this is the most heartfelt of all her novels. The observation of society is acute. the characters brilliantly drawn but this is an utterly timeless novel about love. How sad that it was published posthumously what else might hse have written had she not died at 42 ?