Book 26: Persuasion by Jane Austen

Well, I'm back around to Jane Austen.  I've read all but three of her novels so far: Northanger Abbey, Lady Susan and this one, Persuasion.  I have to admit that I really don't know anything about this book so we'll have to see how it goes.  I'm still a big fan of Jane Austen's writing, however, so I assume it will be pretty good.

Only 272 pages, so around 40 pages per day.  Piece of cake!

REVIEW:  This book is now one of my new favorites.  It’s not as good as Pride and Prejudice or even Emma, but even the third best book by Jane Austen is better than most people’s best books. 

The story takes place from the point of view of Anne Elliot, the middle daughter of a baronet, Sir Walter Elliot.  Her mother is dead, her father and sister are vain and selfish and her younger sister is already married and, therefore, head of her own little household, though that doesn’t keep her from meddling in everyone else’s lives.  Anne is the standard refined, smart heroine of Austen’s novels, but she’s unappreciated.  Her good judgment is often disregarded though everyone relies on her dependibility. 

She is now 27, practically a spinster in Austen’s world, though eight years earlier she was engaged to a yound naval officer, Frederick Wentworth.  She loved him dearly, but was persuaded to break off the engagement by her family and friends due to his lack of status and fortune.  Now, eight years later, Captain Wentworth has returned and she must learn to adjust to his contant presence.

While Anne is unassuming, she is not meek, like Fanny in Mansfield Park. She is, therefore, a much more interesting character.  She does have opinions and advice even if they are disregarded.  While she was meek enough to be persuaded earlier against her desires, she is now older and more independent.  Overall, she’s the opposite of most of Austen’s heroines, choosing a self-made commoner over the aristocratic heroes of Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility and Emma. 

The story felt a little rough in spots and very hurried at the end, but as this was the last book written by Ms. Austen, in fact, written on her deathbed, it didn’t get the usual amount of revision, editing and polishing that most of her novels did.  As such, it’s simpler, more direct story but, I feel, it comes across as more realistic and moving.

Overall, I really liked this book – 9 out of 10.