Persuasion Hardcover

173 of 179 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of five stars Jane Austen’s Masterpiece & last Novel!, July 11, 2005
By Jana L. Perskie “ceruleana” (New York, NY USA) See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE) (TOP 100 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME) This review is from: Persuasion (Penguin Classics) (Paperback) “Persuasion” is a great literary work, and, to my mind, Jane Austen’s finest book. This was her last finished novel before her death, and has been published posthumously. As is frequently the case with Ms. Austen’s fiction, “Persuasion” deals with the social issues of the times and paints a fascinating portrait of Regency England, particularly when dealing with the class system. Rigid social barriers existed and everyone wanted to marry “up” to a higher station and, of course, into money. This is a poignant and passionate story of love, disappointment, loss and redemption. The point Austen makes here, is that one shouldn’t ever be persuaded to abandon core values and viewpoint, particularly for ignoble objectives. There are consequences, generally.

Gillian Beer writes a fascinating Introduction in this Penguin Classic Edition, in which she discusses Miss Austen’s portrayal of the double edged nature of persuasion. This complete and unabridged edition also holds a biography of the author, an Afterword, a new chronology and full textual notes.

Sir Walter Elliot, Lord of Kellynch Hall, is an extravagant, self aggrandizing snob, and some a dandy to boot. He was a widower for many years and spends money beyond his means to increase his social stature. His eldest daughter, who he dotes on, is as conceited and spoiled as he’s. The youngest daughter, Anne, is an intelligent, sensitive, able 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 much in love with a young, and as still untried, navel officer. A woman who had been a close friend to Anne’s mother, persuaded Anne to “break the connection,” substantial her that she may make a much better match. After much consideration, Anne didn’t follow her heart or her better instincts, and she and her young officer, Frederick Wentworth, separated. She never again found the mutual love or companionship that she had with him. Anne’s older sister never married either, because she had not found anybody good enough! She still hopes, but, 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 friend, 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 during the book. Anne decides to 1st visit with her center sister, an abominably spoiled, whiny hypochondriac, Mrs. Musgrove. She’s made a good, but not smart match to a local squire. Her husband, Charles Muskgrove, his parents, and their two younger, qualified daughters, Louisa and Henrietta, are delightful. They all tolerate Mrs. Muskgrove, barely, and adore Anne. It’s at the Muskgrove estate that Anne meets Frederick Wentworth again, after his lack of seven years. He’s in the neighborhood, because his sister is in the neighborhood, residing at Kellynch, of course. Wentworth is a Captain in the Royal Navy and quite wealthy. When their eyes meet for the 1st time, you may be able to totally feel Anne’s longing and remorse. He’s aloof with Anne, though 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 different 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 sooo palpable, though understated, (this is Regency England after all). I think this is Ms. Austen at her most passionate. Many scholars say that she modeled Anne Elliot after herself.

This extraordinary novel, and the issues it tackles, is just as germane today as it was when written. And the romance.Well, nobody does romance better than Jane Austen.
JANA

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60 of 61 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of five stars Beautifully written, April 30, 2002
By “lanfear30″ (Chicago, IL USA) See all my reviews This review is from: Persuasion (Signet Classics) (Paperback) This book is one of my favorites of all time. Many people dislike it or do not like it as much when in comparison to Pride and Prejudice or Emma, but there are many reasons why Persuasion shouldn’t be in comparison to Austen’s other novels. This novel was the last one that Austen wrote before she died. It’s a more mature novel, dealing with many issues not found in Austen’s last novels. One reason why people find faults with the book is that Anne Elliot, the heroine, isn’t as spunky or witty as an Elizabeth Bennett or an Emma Woodhouse. There isn’t so much wit flowing in the dialogue between characters, or dialogue overall. But these differences between the novels make this one so distinctive.It is a novel of second chances. Anne Elliot, not in the bloom of youth, is a grown woman of 27 or 28 years. Eight years ago she had been happily in love with a good looking man named Frederick Wentworth. But, unfortunately, caused by his financial position, and Anne under the influence of her family and close friend, has been forced to reject his marriage plan and they parted ways. But now, he’s inside her closest circle again. Situation led to Anne staying with her married sister, Mrs. Muskgrove, while her own house beed let to Wentworth’s sister and husband. Wentworth visits his sister and on calling on the Muskgroves finds Anne among them. Anne finds Wentworth, not only looking as good as he ever did, but is Captain Wentworth, who has made his fortune. Wentworth, still mad with Anne over being rejected, causes him to treat Anne cooly. But over many weeks of contact here and there, you catch on that Captain Wentworth is not all that oblivious to Anne anymore, because of all the little ‘glimpses’ he throws at Anne. The tension between the two is amazing. You may be able to sense a connection between the two, though they’re on reverse ends of the room. In Bath, the tension builds and builds till it culminates into one of the most moving and romantic reunions ever. The letter that Wentworth writes to Anne declaring his love is bound to bring a tear to your eye and a pang in your heart. Happily, all ends well, but during the novel you may be able to easily sympathize with Anne. Not youthful and not as pretty as she used to be, she’s full of self consciousness and misunderstanding. She still loves him after all those years, but she can not act upon her desires. Austen, still again, excels in portraying her characters. Anne and Captain Wentworth are full and delightful characters that one must love. Her descriptions of Anne’s vain father and snobbish older sister, Elizabeth, hit the mark on satirizing the members of society throughout that time. She wittingly describes how everyone tolerates Mrs. Muskgrove’s hypochondriatic self and how everyone deals with her in their own way. There isn’t so much dialogue between characters in this book, in comparison to Austen’s other novels. Most of the book is in observation of Anne’s character and feelings, which makes it so much easier to relate to everything that Anne feels and you are aware of her situation all the more. This is a great novel, with many qualities, differing from those of Austen’s last novels, to take pleasure in and admire.

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44 of 45 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of five stars My Favorite Book of All Time.., May 28, 2004
By K. A. Stevenson “WIAPilot” (Tucson) See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE) (REAL NAME) This review is from: Persuasion (Signet Classics) (Paperback) Over the years, I have read "Persuasion" by Jane Austen at LEAST ten times. Simply put, it’s my favorite book. While not everyone holds this novel with the same high esteem that I do, I urge those who haven’t read "Persuasion" to purchase it.This book has meant different things to me at different times in my life. I have frequently reflected why I find the story so fascinating and believe it’s because it so precisely portrays the human spirit and exposes our faults and strengths with such transparency. Jane Austen reveals those who are so shallow that they see no goodness or worth other than beauty and money (Anne’s father and sister); those who are so reliant that they don’t listen to their own heart but instead leave their most vital decisions for others to make (Anne herself); and those whose pride was wounded.And possibly what is so captivating, Austen lets the reader vicariously "undo" an error in judgment. This is an excellent and timeless novel.

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