Persuasion (Barnes & Noble Classics Series)

Timeless classic

It is a beautifully-written book, like all her others. In Persuasion, Anne Elliot is persuaded by a family friend to not pursue a relationship with Captain Wentworth because of his inferior place in society. Many years later, she is reacquainted with him and her love for him has not diminished. She is unsure of how he feels about her. He is now a prestigious and admired captain; his station in life completely changed from before.
They find each other in the same social circles, but his pride and her uncertainty of his feelings prevents them from reuniting. At some point, it is believed that each of them is attached to another.
The novel has its funny assortment of characters just like all of Austen's works. And, Austen saves the wonderful union of Anne and Captain Wentworth for the last pages, as in her other books. But, that makes it sweet as you finally read the happy ending. I actually cried as I read the touching letter he writes to Anne at the end.

9 out of 10 people found this review helpful.

This Book Makes My Heart Happy

This book tells the story of Anne Elliot who at 19 chose to deny the hand of a navy officer she loved because she was persuaded by her family that it was not a good choice for her. Anne being the good natured and obedient daughter listens even though her father and sisters could really care less about her well being. Now years later her heart is put to the test as the man in question Capitain Wentworth comes back wealthy and is still as handsome as ever. I once believed Pride and Predjudice was THE Jane Austen book to read. I was wrong. This story is incredible, when I read a Jane Austen book I don't fell like it's hard to read at all considering it was written in a very different time then ours. I feel like Jane and I could easily have a couple laughs chatting it up over drinks. FYI there is a great Perusasion movie made in 2007 that I feel really captures the book.

5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

Jane Austen's Best

I know that a lot of people nowadays believe Pride and Prejudice to be Jane Austen's best novel, and yes it is a great story, but incredibly difficult for the average person to read. Persuasion is just as good in its interesting plot, but... a lot easier to follow. I've reccommended it to a lot of friends who wanted to read Jane Austen but couldn't get through her books. This one is definitely the easiest to get through, and truly a very sweet and romantic story. The main character Anne is very easy to relate to as the ignored and undervalued sister, the people pleaser of the family, who lost her chance of happiness at 19. Or at least, so she thought...Read it! You'll love it!

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

My Favorite Austen

I absolutely adore this book. Why? It doesn't have the sparkle of Pride and Prejudice or the humor of Emma. But what it has is so much more! Anne is now past the age of marriage and beheld as a spinster. She could not have been an old maid. Her brother-in-law had proposed to her before he asked her sister, but she refused. Captain Wentworth is rich from the war, and is ready to settle down. There are many girls he could choose from, no one would suspect he would care for Anne, who had broken his heart years before. I love this story because to me their love is the most sincere of all Jane Austen's couples. They could not have anyone but each other, despite dooming maidenhood, heartbreak, betrayl, misunderstanding. Over all of this comes forgiveness and hope. Their love to me stands the test of time and is the most true of anything I have ever read.

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

A great book once you get into it!!

I will not lie; Persuasion is a book that took me a really long time to get into. This book is what we would classify as a "chick flick" but in book form (so for all the real men in the world read this book). The only thing that kept me reading it for the longest time was that I had read the inside cover and was intrigued with what could happen in this book. This book is about two hundred years old so the text used can be somewhat confusing at times. The spelling is definitely different along with the grammar use. During this book the reader will experience drama, sadness, jealousy, happiness, shock, and many more emotions. The story first takes place in what I assumed to be England. The war had just finished and many army personnel were coming home. One part that I had a really hard time understanding was the very beginning, it seemed like the narrator was the father of Anne Elliot. He seems to be trying to write his will or making an autobiography of himself. I could not figure out who the narrator was or what they were trying to tell the reader. After I got past that part I just had to keep telling myself to keep on reading because it would get better. When Anne (the main character) first comes across her long lost love Captain Wentworth the reader wants them to just get back together and for everything to be good. Fortunately, that does not happen and the reader has more to read. Later in the book Anne meets her cousin Mr. Elliot and they soon become acquainted with one another. I did not know if I wanted them to get married or if I still wanted Captain Wentworth to come back and marry Anne. The setting of this book wanted to make me have a English accent and begin telling parts of this story to some of my friends. It is a story that has its ups and downs but it definitely a phenomenal book with a wonderful ending that I will not give away. This book is a book that you could read in book clubs, on rainy days, give as a gift, and should have in a library. Once I got to the end of this book I wanted it to keep going on. The way that Anne now feels about love and about Captain Wentworth may be a tear jerker for some so make sure to keep some tissues handy. The ending will make the reader go back in time and switch places with Anne if the reader is female. Another thing about this book is that it is one of the all time classics and if modified could easily apply to this day in age. This is a book that I am definitely giving a thumbs up and recommending to my friends because of how well if rapped up and did not leave you hanging. I loved this book.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

The Forgotten Novel of Jane Austen's

Ms. Austen makes her last novel the most moving one of her short career. I realize that many scholars would disagree with this claim, but it's because "Persausion" seperates itself from the other novels that in part make it so remarkable.
The ending is not that of a fairy tale, but more along the lines of a changing world with many unscruplous people in it and Anne and her love have finally decided to take life on their own terms.
Witty humor, is another ingredient that Ms. Austen finds time to include although this is far more of a sober tale. She makes comentary on the choices a woman had available to her and the life of a military wife.
This is a far more realistic story than the romantic comedy "Emma," although that is great as well, but this is more of a story about lost love and the tribulations, pain, and other endurments that must be faced to reach happiness in ones life. This is a fitting end to a remarkable career.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Truly refreshing

In Jane Austen's last novel, Persuasion, we meet the Elliot family: Sir Walter and his daughters, Elizabeth, Mary and the youngest daughter Anne. Over 8 years ago Anne became engaged to Frederick Wentworth, a man with no one to recommend him. After much persuasion from a family friend, Lady Russell, Anne breaks off the engagement. When the reader meets Anne it is more than 8 years later and circumstances have brought her and the now Captain Frederick Wentworth back into each other's lives. Will they be able to rekindle their relationship or did Anne's initial refusal ruin all hope for them to be together...?
Reading Jane Austen is truly refreshing! The subtleness with which Austen delves into the relationship between Anne and Captain Wentworth among other characters is beautifully done. A great read!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Persuasion: A Must!

Praised as Jane Austen's greatest, most mature novel, Persuasion definitely lives up to its reputation. Written in Austen's captivating, witty style, it enhances all the beauty, romance, as well as flaws and negatives of the early nineteenth century England. Anne Elliot, a daughter of a wealthy baronet and Frederick Wentworth, the fortuneless love of her life, find themselves separated by the cruelty of the social rank system of England at that time. Anne, persuaded to end their relationship, lives for eight and a half years regretting the greatest mistake of her life until Captain Wentworth comes back from war, where he has made quite a fortune. Now, revolving in the same social circle and constantly being in each others' presence, both Anne and Frederick face the difficulties of forgetting the mistakes of the past to finally realize that it may be a future together that they truly want. Anne Elliot, a heroine quite unlike Austen's usual witty, beautiful and charming Elizabeth or Emma, portrays the complexity and maturity that Jane Austen's writing has reached. Anne has an aura of kindness and gentleness about her that makes her unique among Austen's heroines. Her character is guaranteed to have every reader sympathize with her as she tries to recover from the past and renew her intimate connection with Captain Wentworth. The Captain, definitely comparable to Mr. Darcy, is the usual dashing, brilliant man that all women adore and want for themselves. All the rest of the characters such as the silly, self-centered Mary and the light-hearted Miss Musgroves make the storyline even more delightful and rich in twists and turns. Once again, Austen gives her readers what she knows they want. There is romance and love, misfortune and jealousies, parties and vanity, and, of course, a happy ending, which the authoress presents is such an amazing style as can only be worthy of a true masterpiece.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Now my most beloved read of all the Austen Novels!

I finally read Persuasion and I have to say it might be tied with Sense and Sensibility as my favorite of the Austen novels. I originally shared my thoughts of Persuasion on the Republic of Pemberley website and felt compelled to share it with my Barnes and Noble friends. I always thought Pride and Prejudice was my beloved first choice but over the years I have flipped flopped and well now I am enchanted by the characters and the story of Persuasion. I have to even admit that I always thought Mr. Darcy's letter to Elizabeth was so heart filled and mesmerizing but now after reading Captain Wentworth's prose to Anne and in a way wearing his heart on his sleeve I am completely sold that his was the most romantic letter ever written! As a woman, you always dream that a love lost will somehow find its way back again so I found myself rooting for Anne and Captain Wentworth to find each other. As for the other characters, I wish someone would have smacked Elizabeth and Sir Walter. They were one and the same and so rude to Anne. Not once did they appear to take her feelings into consideration. I really liked Mr. and Mrs. Musgrove and the Musgrove sisters. They had a complete affection for Anne and were more family to her then her own. Even Admiral and Mrs. Croft treated Anne with more family regard then her own. Mary wasn't too bad to Anne but she was too helpless for my taste. Mrs. Smith (an old friend from Anne's school days) proved to be the perfect allie and dearest long lost friend. Yes, I am truly happy to have read this novel and I think before the end of the summer I will have to read it again!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Truly Tremendous

Persuasion is a powerful book that strongly impacts the mind of any reader. I read this book for a research paper I had to write this year in high school, and I fell in love with it. Apart from the fact that I experienced the emotions described in this book, Jane Austen presents the material in such a way that the reader can comprehend, and fully grasp, the struggle of Captain Wentworth and Anne Elliot. This is truly a tremendous masterpiece. I strongly recommend it.

My Favorite Austen Book

Once I retired and got a chance to really star reading, I only thought Jane Austen had done Sense and Sensibility plus Pride and Prejudice. I didn't know about the others, but made sure I read them all. I had never heard of Persuasion, nor had I heard of a major motion picture of it like the other two I mentioned, so I was surprised when this became my favorite. I have read it many times now, in the past 20 years, and watched the English version of the story, and when I have trouble getting to sleep at night, I just start telling myself the story over again and it gets my mind off of other things and puts me pleasantly to sleep. It's become like a favorite fairy tale to a child. Love lost, 2nd chance at love, love conquered ... all with the delicious background of a Jane Austen afternoon and evening of reading.

Her best work

Though it is often eclipsed by the more popular Pride and Prejudice, Persuasion is Austen's most sensitive and intellectual work.

Jane Austen's worst

Don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of Jane Austen. I've read Pride and Prejudice countless times. But this book is just a waste. The romance which is so charming in her other novels becomes redundant and insipid. What makes it worse is that the characters are just so annoying. Not endearing at all. And may I say that the Masterpiece movie version was one of the most ridiculous things that I have ever seen. Please read ANY of her other novels!

Love Captain Wentworth

I Love this story. Jane Austen is a legend. This is my favorite story. Captain Wentworth is just lovely. His letter to Anne is my favorite.
"I can listen no longer in silence. I must speak to you by such means as are within my reach. You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope. Tell me not that I am too late, that such precious feelings are gone for ever. I offer myself to you again with a heart even more your own, then when you almost broke it more than eight years and a half ago. Dare not say that man forgets sooner than woman, that his love has an earlier death. I have loved none but you. Unjust I may have been, weak and resentful I have been, but never inconstant. You alone have brought me to Bath. For you alone I think and plan. ---Have you not seen this? Can you fail to have understood my wishes? --- I had not waited even these ten days, could I have read your feelings. As I think you must have penetrated mine. I can hardly write. I am every instant hearing something which overpowers me. You sink your voice, but I can distinguish the tones of that voice, when they would be lost on others. ---Too good, too excellent creature! You do us justice indeed. You do believe that there is true attachment and constancy among men. Believe it to be most fervent, most undeviating in
F.W. (Captain Frederick Wentworth)
I must go. Uncertain of my fate; but I shall return hither, or follow your party, as soon as possible. A word, a look will be enough to decide whether I enter your father’s house this evening, or never."

Brilliant!

My Thoughts:

Persuasion is one of my favorite movie adaptations in the world. I could watch the Masterpiece Theater version over and over without getting sick of it. That¿s how much I love it. Since I had never read a Jane Austen book before, I decided to go with that one for my Summer Romance Challenge. I have to admit it was not easy at first. The very beginning with the details on the family and friends of the family was a struggle to get through. I think the reason why is because I know the story so well from the movie. Once more dialogue came about, it became very enjoyable.

Anne Elliot was once engaged to Frederick Wentworth when she was very young. Since her friend Lady Russell didn¿t approve of the match, she persuaded Anne to break off the engagement. Fast forward eight years later. Anne¿s father Sir Walter and sister Elizabeth have nearly brought the family to bankruptcy. They have to let the house to someone while they get things back to where it should be financially. The person who takes up residency is Admiral and Mrs. Croft. And guess who happens to be the brother of Mrs. Croft? You guessed it--Frederick, now Captain Wentworth.

So now Anne is forced into being around him often, watching him from afar, imagining him as not wanting anything to do with her. Especially when it seems he is preferring the company of another. As time goes on, he gets to see a different side of her, how selfless she is. And when it seems he is attentive to her, Mr. Elliot, her cousin, seems to be very interested in Anne. But where does Anne stand? Does she have a chance with Frederick again?

Like I said, this is one of my favorite movie adaptations. Reading the book was like icing on the cake, completely put it all into perspective, getting into the mind of the characters. Jane Austen really is an amazing author. I wish I hadn¿t taken so long to read one of her novels. Definitely one of the best classics I¿ve read so far.

My Rating:

Very Good... Stay up late

"A time where propriety excused stupidity"

Jane Austen opens Persuasion with an introduction of the Baronet family of Sir Walter Elliot. Immediately, the irony of our heroine, Anne's, situation becomes apparent: Anne is a practical and realistic young lady born into a society in which propriety overpowers all other aspects of life. The values of Regency England were summed up in her father, where it was said that "vanity was the beginning and the end of Sir Walter Elliot's character; vanity of person and of situation."Anne, on the other hand, is wise beyond her years and always sees the person beyond the pomp and circumstance. 8 years earlier, Anne Elliot did exactly that when she fell in love with the handsome young sailor, Fredrick Wentworth, who I must say is a more dashing man than even Mr. Darcy. The young couple was separated when Anne was "Persuaded to believe the engagement to be a wrong thing _ indescreet, improper, hardly capable of success_" Years later, a twenty-seven year old Anne has remained single, destined to be a spinster, her family in debt. Re-enter Fredrick Wentworth, now a distinguished naval officer with a fortune from the Napoleonic Wars.After all these years Anne's love for him has not faded, although his apparently have. Somehow, fate brings them together into the same circles of society but the awkwardness remains. A variety of colorful character from London, Bath and Lyme create 'dramas' and love triangles to rival the best of soap operas. Added to the mix is Mr. Elliot, a rich cousin set to inherit the Elliot estate. He is wealthy, well mannered, and attentive to Anne; much the opposite of the adventurous and indifferent Captain Wentworth.Like the 'Twilight' books, Persuasion will have you cheering for 'Team Wentworth' one moment and 'Team Elliot' the next. You will love sensible Anne, stuck in the middle of this mess and become "much too well aware of the uncertainty of all human events and calculations." Jane Austen once again delivers and intriguing romance that forces another young woman to choose between propriety and love.

Classic Jane Austen

I read this book for school, but I had planned on reading it anyways. I really enjoyed it, but it was only okay. It was not by any means Jane Austen's best. However, I still plan on reading it again, though I cannot say how others would feel about reading it twice. It is classic Austen. If you didn't like pride and prejudice or emma, than you will not enjoy this book.

Most Underrated Austen Novel!

Absolutely LOVED it! :) Anne Elliot is officially one of my favorite characters of all time.

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0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Great

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