Persuasion by Jane Austen

Barnes and Noble website says this about Persuasion:


In her final novel, as in her earlier ones, Jane Austen uses a love story to explore and gently satirize social pretensions and emotional confusion. Persuasion follows the romance of Anne Elliot and naval officer Frederick Wentworth. They were happily engaged until Anne’s friend, Lady Russell, persuaded her that Frederick was “unworthy.” Now, eight years later,Frederick returns, a wealthy captain in the navy, while Anne’s family teeters on the edge of bankruptcy. They still love each other, but their past mistakes threaten to keep them apart.

Austen may seem to paint on a small canvas, but her characters contain the full range of human passion and moral complexity, and the author’s generous spirit renders them all with understanding, compassion, and humor.



I must say that I was shocked by how good this novel is. I mean, I knew that it would be good because it is a Jane Austen novel, but I didn't know it would be that good. Before reading this book, I had only heard of Persuasion once or twice. Me, a Jane Austen fan, had only briefly heard Persuasion mentioned. I find that remarkably sad. Why isn't this book talked about more often? Why do people most often discuss Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice or Emma and skip over this gem? I have absolutely no idea. But from now on, I will recommend that a person read Persuasion before reading any other Jane Austen books.

Jane Austen once again has done a wonderful job of displaying characters in all of their beauty and ugliness. First impressions, as we learn from Pride and Prejudice, are not always what they seem. From Louisa Musgrove to "Cousin" Elliot to Frederick Wentworth, what the reader first sees is not what always is. I love the complexity of the characters because it makes the book so enjoyable to read. I am always trying to figure out what happens next in an Austen book. Persuasion is an easy book to figure out just by reading the above overview; however, even when I already new how the book was going to end, I couldn't decide how it would get there.

Jane Austen's novels are considered romance, for sure, but I think they could be included in the mystery genre as well. The key to reading Austen's books is this: don't skip ahead or you'll ruin the whole thing. I have a bad habit of doing this. I like to read the last chapter before I read the first, for some strange reason. I like knowing what happens at the end. I repeat, do not skip ahead.

On a plus side, in two weeks Masterpiece Classic on PBS is going to air the movie adaptation of Persuasion. I'm excited to see it "come to life." Of course, the book is always better. Persuasion is definitely my new favorite when it comes to Jane Austen.