Celestial Persuasion in Austen Lovers TBR Challenge 2021

May 21, 2021 Debbie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: jaff, i-own-it, arc

Jane Austen's influence is apparent throughout this lovely Regency story about a twenty-seven-year-old Jewish woman, Abigail Isaacs. Having received a bluestocking-type education from her father, a doctor, Abigail has been content to continue studying astronomy in her rural English village. Sadly, Dr. Isaacs dies, followed soon after by news of the death of Abigail's brother, Jonathan, a naval doctor who served for years under his good friend, Captain Wentworth. The captain's letter urges Abigai Jane Austen's influence is apparent throughout this lovely Regency story about a twenty-seven-year-old Jewish woman, Abigail Isaacs. Having received a bluestocking-type education from her father, a doctor, Abigail has been content to continue studying astronomy in her rural English village. Sadly, Dr. Isaacs dies, followed soon after by news of the death of Abigail's brother, Jonathan, a naval doctor who served for years under his good friend, Captain Wentworth. The captain's letter urges Abigail to come to London and meet with Lord Fife, which was Jonathan's fervent request upon his deathbed.

Lord Fife presents Abigail with startling information regarding plans her father and brother had made without her knowledge. She finds herself at a crossroads - she can stay in England, where there are few opportunities for an impoverished single woman, or she can board a ship and sail to Argentina for the future her family members had intended for her.

Abigail makes the difficult decision to pull up roots, leave her synagogue and lifelong friends, and follow the stars to the unknown. She's accompanied by her loyal companion, Mrs. Frankel, and makes many new acquaintances along the way to her final destination.

There are so many wonderful elements interwoven into this story, I hardly know where to start. The first pages describe a shocking example of anti-Jewish bigotry, which is subsequently a strong thread throughout the book and generally is presented in a stoic, matter-of-fact manner. The few options available to Regency era women, regardless of their intelligence and capability, is another theme. Readers of historical literature are certainly accustomed to British history; this story does begin in Exeter and London but soon moves on. Abigail and Mrs. Frankel spend weeks aboard an ocean frigate, experiencing the wonders and perils of sea travel during the Napoleonic war. They land in Buenos Aires to find an entirely different culture than they're accustomed to. Argentina is a new land that's a melting pot of various ethnicities and indigenous groups. There's a fight for the country's independence going on, which also affects the story. Things move on to Rosario, Argentina, bringing another change of scenery and culture.

But this book is much more than a historical travelogue. From a literary perspective, I love the way Jane Austen's characters are sewn into the book. Abigail and Captain Wentworth continue to correspond, and the evidence of this being a prequel to Persuasion becomes obvious. The plot itself shows some faint parallels to Persuasion as well.

Abigail is a strong, believable lead character. Her journey covers miles and miles, both the physical kind and the self-discovery kind. She's passionate about her study of the stars, which sometimes gets her in trouble, and she's determined to fulfill the mission her brother set out for her even though she doesn't feel qualified to handle it. With so much to do, she won't allow herself to fall in love, but love finds her anyway. It's not a romance that sizzles, but the connection between her and Raphael Gabay is developed convincingly. All the supporting characters (both imagined and actual historical figures) have interesting, three-dimensional personalities.

While Abigail's Jewishness is certainly a central focus, I must commend the respect offered to several other faiths throughout the story, emphasizing that which we have in common rather than that which separates us.

I loved this book!

I received an ARC from the author with no promise of a review, favorable or otherwise. ...more

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Jul 22, 2021 J. W. Garrett rated it it was amazing

Shelves: era-6-regency-1811-1820, source-ku-own, 2021, source-beta, jaff-persuasion

“A sweet Regency Romance set against the backdrop of Argentina’s struggle for independence” per the author

Rating: MA: PG-17: due to the violence of war. No graphic sex; however, there was one scene that could be a trigger for some. It was an attempted assault [unsuccessful]. Prologue + 20-chapters + Epilogue. Angst Level: medium, again this was a time of war as a country fought for its independence and a lone woman struggled for hers. We also had lovers’ angst. There were skirmishes and danger ...more

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Jun 10, 2023 Sophia rated it it was amazing

Shelves: miltary-romance-contemp-fut-hist, jane-austen-austenesque, historical-romance-c-s-america

When travesty hits a lovely, lonely Jewish woman astronomer, she makes the decision to leave all she knows and follow the path across the sea to fulfill her beloved brother’s final wish. A sweeping journey of the heart is also cleverly made into a prequel to Jane Austen’s Persuasion by the talented writing of Mirta Ines Trupp.

Opening with a heartbreaking prequel showing how Royal Navy physician Joseph Isaacs came under the lash of a sadistic evil captain and able to give his final words to his f When travesty hits a lovely, lonely Jewish woman astronomer, she makes the decision to leave all she knows and follow the path across the sea to fulfill her beloved brother’s final wish. A sweeping journey of the heart is also cleverly made into a prequel to Jane Austen’s Persuasion by the talented writing of Mirta Ines Trupp.

Opening with a heartbreaking prequel showing how Royal Navy physician Joseph Isaacs came under the lash of a sadistic evil captain and able to give his final words to his friend gallant Captain Wentworth, the story switches to the perspective of Joseph’s younger sister, Abigail Isaacs.

Abigail has spent her life in Exeter as the bright, brilliant daughter of a country doctor. Jewish and educated beyond what could be expected for women, she is an astronomer and mathematician with few rivals. After the death of her father and now her beloved brother, Joseph, she is left with no one and very little to live on. Then Lord Fife, her brother’s friend invites her to London to hear his bizarre proposal that Joseph and her father set in motion before their deaths. If she will step out on faith, they have arranged for her to have a home and a little farm in the contested former Spanish colony in South America that will become Argentina. Her brother was part of a group of men who will see the colony free of the Spanish rule and a haven for all including Jews and a place where educated women can push past the barriers set against them. She might also find love if she is brave enough to allow it past the cold wall of logic she had encased herself in.

I love the Regency era and particularly when the setting is on the high seas for an Age of Sail story. What a wonderful background to give the heroine and time spend with the astronomy element. Abigail’s journey and the early days of newly forming Argentina, her tempestuous relationship with a handsome Spanish Jewish military officer, and her coming into her own made for a heartwarming and engaging story. On the side was her continuing correspondence with Captain Wentworth which Austen lovers like myself know will lead to a fabulous second chance love story in Persuasion. For those who love seeing character growth and a slow burn sweet romance against a colorful historical setting, Celestial Persuasion is an excellent choice for the reading stack.

My full review will post at Books of My Heart on 9.3.23 ...more

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Jan 15, 2023 Christina Morland rated it it was amazing

Shelves: austenesque-2023

I learned a great deal about Argentinian and Jewish history from this unique, well-researched novel, and I especially appreciated Avileh or Abigail’s strength of character. Other characters (often men, even the men who love her most) sometimes underestimated her, but she doesn’t hesitate to stand up for herself, her beliefs, and her intelligence — yet she does so in a way that fits within the time period, too. All in all, this was a richly detailed reminder that there was (and is) no single way ...more

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Jul 12, 2021 wosedwew rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2021, book-reviews

Give me nights perfectly quiet... and I looking up at the stars... ~ Walt Whitman

“Celestial Persuasion” is an unusual book for me — a JAFF that is not based on Pride & Prejudice.

Instead, this story intersects with characters from “Persuasion”. Captain Wentworth is a good friend to our heroine’s brother whose path crosses with one of the Musgrove sons.

Abigail Isaacs, a young Jewish woman, is persuaded to emigrate from England to Argentina. She arrives at a critical point in the history of Argent ...more

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Jun 15, 2024 Carole (in Canada) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, regency, austenesque, prequels, historical

My Rating: 4.5* rounded up to 5*

I hate to admit it, but this enlightening novel has been sitting in my Kindle for almost two years!

“Today her heart was torn. Her soul was pierced. Her family had left her alone in the world, and she could only remonstrate against the heavens for the all-consuming sorrow tearing at her breast.” (quote from the book)

What a unique way to incorporate touches of Jane Austen’s novels (Persuasion and a bit of Sense & Sensibility), along with the author’s second novel (
My Rating: 4.5* rounded up to 5*

I hate to admit it, but this enlightening novel has been sitting in my Kindle for almost two years!

“Today her heart was torn. Her soul was pierced. Her family had left her alone in the world, and she could only remonstrate against the heavens for the all-consuming sorrow tearing at her breast.” (quote from the book)

What a unique way to incorporate touches of Jane Austen’s novels (Persuasion and a bit of Sense & Sensibility), along with the author’s second novel (The Meyersons of Meryton), a bit of history on Argentina (the author’s birthplace) and her religion (Judaism). The book description provides a good idea of what this story is about.

“You cannot know what you are capable of, until you are tested.” (quote from the book)

The familiar and the new are nicely blended into this historic adventure of one young woman’s journey to fulfilling her brother’s dream, charting her own destiny and learning to open her heart once more. I was engaged from the beginning.

“These brilliant women of whom Jonathan spoke showed great resolve in forging ahead in worlds that denied their sense of identity. I am now called upon to ask you to follow their example and help you navigate the trajectory that the stars have so clearly outlined.” (quote from the book)

One of my favourite parts of this novel were the letters, especially between Captain Wentworth (her brother’s good friend) and Abigail Isaacs. For me, it was these letters that provide the ‘why’ this book could be considered a ‘prequel to Persuasion‘. I can see in my mind how Abigail’s advice to Captain Wentworth, could help chip away at his pride to ‘see’ Anne’s position. And the letter Mr. Gabay writes to Abigail was so moving.

“Our ancestral roots that bound us to Europe were all but severed once our hearts were stolen by this land and its promise for liberty.” (quote from the book)

The historical part of this novel was informative as to Argentina’s history. There was much that I learned. Freedom and liberty for all was the cornerstone. Learning of certain religious customs illuminated certain areas that I was unaware of.

As for Abigail Isaacs, she had aspects of Elizabeth Bennet in her…obstinate, headstrong girl! But her passion was astronomy, and I loved how it was woven into the story. I wish I could have seen the heavens through her telescope! But I will admit to reaching my frustration point with Miss Isaacs’ stubbornness, but I was not the only one! Her companion Mrs. Frankel was such a delight!

I highly recommend this celestial offering that is well researched and written.
...more

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May 03, 2024 Sheila Majczan rated it really liked it

Interesting as I have never read another JAFF variation in which the Jewish faith is represented. The heroine and many other characters are of that faith and we read of their daily customs, beliefs and practices in this story.

The author informs us that this is a prequel to Persuasion, which is my second favorite of JA's books...gotta love Wentworth's letter. Yes, that man in part of this story and in the end we have Abigail, our main character, trying to persuade him to try again with the woman ...more

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