Persuasion

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It's a hit!

When it comes to a great author like Jane Austen, it is hard to pick your favourite. Some of her novels are quite different to her others, and Pers... (show more)

When it comes to a great author like Jane Austen, it is hard to pick your favourite. Some of her novels are quite different to her others, and Persuasion surely is one of them.
I have never read an Austen novel as a teen or young adult and so hae always judged from the adult point of view. Maybe that's the reason why Persuasion is my favourite.
Jane Austen has always been critizised because she writes about people of a certain social status only. Yes, she does, and that's good. Because that was about the kind of people she knew, the kind of world she lived in. And that's why her novels are so great. She knows what she's writing about.
What I like most in Persuasion is the way she captured the problems women were facing at the time. Especially the part where she explains to Captain Harville the difference between men's and women's feelings and their way of living. I thought she managed to come across so well, you just could feel her thoughts.
And nobody ever said that her novels were historical ones. They are, but only of the small world she lived in and knew.
Pride & Prejudice is much more lively, Emma as well, and I love both of them. But if I was allowed to take one of Jane Austen's books only to a desert island, Persuasion it would be. (show less)

 

 

by Marianne Maurer

No, it's a flop!

Persuasion celebrates romantic constancy in an era of turbulent change. Written as the Napoleonic Wars were ending, the novel examines how a woman ... (show more)

Persuasion celebrates romantic constancy in an era of turbulent change. Written as the Napoleonic Wars were ending, the novel examines how a woman can at once remain faithful to her past and still move forward into the future. Anne Elliot seems to have given up on present happiness and has resigned herself to living off her memories. More than seven years earlier she complied with duty: persuaded to view the match as imprudent and improper, she broke off her engagement to a naval captain with neither fortune, ancestry, nor prospects. However, when peacetime arrives and brings the Navy home, and Anne encounters Captain Wentworth once more, she starts to believe in second chances. Jane Austen's last completed novel features a heroine much older and wiser than her predecessors in earlier books, and presents a more intimate and sober tale of a love found long after such happiness had been deemed hopeless. This edition includes an appendix giving the original ending of Persuasion. (show less)

 

 

by Elza

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  This novel is undoubtedly the best of all the Jane Austen works, and probably the most underrated. It is a captivating story of the dangers in allowing others to control your decisions, and outlines the importance of an independant mind. One of Austen less conservative books, it is much darker in comparison to any of her other works, besides, of course, Mansfield Park.
  This book is guarenteed to steal your heart. For all of the women who thought Mr. Darcy the most gracious of heroes, you wil... (show more)

  This novel is undoubtedly the best of all the Jane Austen works, and probably the most underrated. It is a captivating story of the dangers in allowing others to control your decisions, and outlines the importance of an independant mind. One of Austen less conservative books, it is much darker in comparison to any of her other works, besides, of course, Mansfield Park.
  This book is guarenteed to steal your heart. For all of the women who thought Mr. Darcy the most gracious of heroes, you will love Captain Wentworth so much more. This books allows the reader to connect with the kind of emotion that you cannot find in Austen's other works. The letter at the end is written in the exact prose that a love letter should be written. I, personally, rave this book as my favourite of all books, not only Austens books. If you don't enjoy this novel's subtle satire and witty prose, you will enjoy it surpremely for the love story. (show less)

   

  by Natasha on Feb 11, 2009 at 10:32PM

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  It is such a lovely book. Whilst not my favourite Jane Austen (Pride and Prejudice holds that title), it is still a wonderful read.

  The characters are drawn very well. Anne is very kind and sensible. I love the fact that she is so calm and gentle, and I found her to be such a lovely person. Her kindness to Mrs Smith and to Captain Benwick is truly remarkable. The fact that she can put up with her family with such grace just proves what a worthy character she is. Her family is delightfully... (show more)

  It is such a lovely book. Whilst not my favourite Jane Austen (Pride and Prejudice holds that title), it is still a wonderful read.

  The characters are drawn very well. Anne is very kind and sensible. I love the fact that she is so calm and gentle, and I found her to be such a lovely person. Her kindness to Mrs Smith and to Captain Benwick is truly remarkable. The fact that she can put up with her family with such grace just proves what a worthy character she is. Her family is delightfully awful, from her incredibly vain father, her cold older sister and her foolish younger sister.

  Captain Wentworth is a true gentlemen, and I understood perfectly how he could feel anger and resentment towards Anne. The fact that he still loves her after 8 years, with the same constancy and feeling, just shows how wonderful a hero he is. The love letter he writes to her is simply beautiful.

  This book is much darker than her other novels. Even though I knew that there will be a happy ending, I couldn't help but feel sad during the middle of it, especially when Captain Wentworth is paying so much attention to Louisa. The part where Anne is talking to Captain Harville about whether men or women love longest is very moving – you can really feel the sadness and loneliness that Anne is experiencing. (show less)

   

   

  by Sarah on Feb 20, 2010 at 04:08AM

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