Sway in Austen Variations

Jan 14, 2016 Sheila Majczan rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Oh, the romance, the poignancy and the bitter-sweet memories from eight years ago…This is a book I could not put down. You may think you know Jane Austen’s story of Persuasion but even in looking for connections to her characters and to her events and outcomes you will find heart gripping scenes that pull you in and touch your emotions. (Yes, I had tears at times, again.) This author took this story and made it all her own – beautifully.

Some of my favorite parts are poignant memories of Ava’s mo Oh, the romance, the poignancy and the bitter-sweet memories from eight years ago…This is a book I could not put down. You may think you know Jane Austen’s story of Persuasion but even in looking for connections to her characters and to her events and outcomes you will find heart gripping scenes that pull you in and touch your emotions. (Yes, I had tears at times, again.) This author took this story and made it all her own – beautifully.

Some of my favorite parts are poignant memories of Ava’s mom, songs Eric wrote: “Miss Me”, “No Two Hearts” and his first single – “The song made him famous. And it was about us.” “…Now we’re strangers and it’s killing me.”

There is the obvious list of characters from canon: Ava/Anne, Beth/Elizabeth, Mari/Marilyn/Mary, Eric/Frederick, etc. But I loved some of the twists even in the names. Learn of how the names were chosen for each Elliot daughter. However some names are totally different even when their roles have obvious parallels, i.e. Gage Johnson/Leonard/William Elliot. The setting is modern day southern California.

I don’t have to fill in the plot here. For JAFF readers much parallels canon: a rich family falls into debt and has to retrench, family duties are pushed on the middle child, their mansion is rented by the sister and brother-in-law of Ava’s ex-fiance, and even in moving to another residence or taking a trip that ex shows up to bring all the memories and pain back.

The portrait of Eric was so attractive: there are comparisons painted to a modern Frank Sinatra, to another Michael Bublé or even, Harry Connick, Jr. The words to the songs he has composed had me falling in love with this hero. (Well done, author.) As we read this through Ava’s POV we can easily see as does her friend, Lexi, that Ava has not moved on. Even as we watch Eric doing so, and as in Persuasion, questioning whether he is getting his revenge, trying to make her jealous or is it the real thing? Ava believes it is real. But we also see Ava finally standing up for her own values and desires…not what her aunt or her father or her sisters expect.

As mentioned in another review there are moments that stay with you, “I heard you.” Spoken by Eric when a group of family and acquaintances comes to a concert by the philharmonic in which she plays and comments are made as to how her piano part is not discernible above the other instruments. There are flashbacks of how the couple met, of how he was received by her family, of their sharing memories of lost loved ones and of how they fell in love, became engaged and broke up.

As I was reading this book I kept thinking, “Where does the title come in?” In canon it is right up front that Anne was “persuaded” by her friend and by her family but here the title’s part in the story is saved, as in the “save the best for last” cliché and it has such power. Marvelous! Remember that LETTER, the letter? That also was a part I kept pondering, “How is that letter, when is that letter, going to be used?” You will not be disappointed. And again you will find it oh, so romantic.

This book is not only one you MUST read but it is also one that is one you must read a.s.a.p. Trust me. ...more

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Apr 02, 2016 Kirk rated it it was amazing

Shelves: austenesque-lovers-tbr-pile-2016, 2016, jane-austen, music

I finished Sway a couple of hours ago and highly enjoyed it! This is a modern Persuasion set in California. Despite my puritan roots, the descriptions of the beaches/weather made jet right out there....especially with April snow on the way. While for most of the book I was in the 4ish rating...the ending pushes it to 4.5 or above(and I needed a happy ending. Tomorrow Austen in Boston is discussing Tess, the worse ending in the history of earth!!!! Lol, I've written an alternative ending in my he ...more

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Sep 27, 2018 Sheila Majczan rated it it was amazing

I posted a review for the Kindle edition of this book. I loved it all over again and found it hard to put down. Persuasion is my second favorite Jane Austen book. I love "that letter" as I am sure so do many others.

All the main characters are here but there are some differences as the story develops. Ava's father comes through in the end as to where his priorities lie. Even sister Beth in the end shows an attachment for more than just her father and designer clothes and furniture. While Eric We ...more

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