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Persuasion

Jane Austen

Start date: October 1, 2013

Finish date: October 31, 2013

Discussion: Oct 2013 - Persuasion

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Oct 2013 - Persuasion

* chapters 1- 8
By Karena · 19 posts · 175 views

last updated Nov 04, 2013 02:37PM

* chapters 9-16
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last updated Sep 30, 2013 10:25AM

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Jul 26, 2012 Audrey rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction, england, classics, listens, regency

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I enjoyed this a little, but it wasn't a favorite. For some reason I didn't find it to be the easiest to read, but I could've just not been in the mood. For such a short book, it often felt wordy and dragging. I mostly listened to an unabridged audio version (beautifully narrated by Karen Savage. Thanks, Librivox!), but I also read a lot of the notes in two annotated versions, which were peppered with interesting information (like the fact that, although comfortable wealthy, Wentworth only made I enjoyed this a little, but it wasn't a favorite. For some reason I didn't find it to be the easiest to read, but I could've just not been in the mood. For such a short book, it often felt wordy and dragging. I mostly listened to an unabridged audio version (beautifully narrated by Karen Savage. Thanks, Librivox!), but I also read a lot of the notes in two annotated versions, which were peppered with interesting information (like the fact that, although comfortable wealthy, Wentworth only made half of what Mr. Bennet did).

I like Anne a lot, and I can relate to her a great deal, but I think she is a bit uncharitable sometimes (about Mrs. Clay, Cartwright etc. I think there were other examples, but I can’t remember them). It just seems kind of mean to laugh at others or dismiss them because they have noticeable defaults. Maybe this is meant to be one of Anne’s faults, to show that she’s not perfect? The author doesn’t really seem against it, though . . . .

I like Austen, but her writing rarely “pierces my soul,” to paraphrase Wentworth. Austen's cool rationalism can be refreshing at times, but I can't help longing for something to get my blood stirring a bit more (à la Bronte or Gaskell, perhaps). I long to know what characters are really thinking and feeling, to have the interior aspects of human experience captured in intimate detail. Instead of that, Austen seems to focus more on manners and social events and social structures. I still like Austen, but I can't help partially agreeing with Charlotte Bronte that “What throbs fast and full, though hidden, what the blood rushes through, what is the unseen seat of Life and sentient target of death—this Miss Austen ignores” (this quote was in the introduction to one of the annotated versions of Persuasion that I got). I still think that in real life Jane would have definitely been a kindred spirit and good friend, though, and I admit that at times her clearheadedness can add a nice flavor to this genre.

I love the part when Wentworth jumps the hedge "in a moment" to let his sister know that he noticed Anne was tired. So thoughtful! He’s an interesting character—sometimes a little rough around the edges in a boyish, impetuous kind of way, but he also has an earnest integrity about him. Still, I think he behaved rather badly toward Anne when they first met again after all those years. Also, neither Knightley nor Darcy would ever false-court both Musgrove sisters like he did—but I choose to chalk that up to inexperience with women and being away at sea too long. Speaking of which, I liked the historical context that the naval backdrop provided. That aspect really enriched the novel.

The ending was tied up in a lovely way. Harville talking to Anne at the window was such a poignant, sweet scene: all the longing and sentiment that had come to define Anne and Wentworth's relationship was expressed in the tender talk between Anne and Harville, with Wentworth in the background thinking and scribbling that beautiful letter to Anne.

I liked a lot of the characters in this. I even liked Mary, in her own way. Lady Russell sometimes annoyed me, though. Also, I don't get why Mrs. Smith gave such a glowing recommendation of Sir Elliot and then suddenly turned on him once she realized Anne wasn’t attached to him. If she really felt he was so bad I don’t think she would act so coy and teasing to Anne about him prior to her disclosure. Also, as a friend, she had an obligation to tell Anne what she was getting into if Anne had happened to like him. This bothered me.

Another question I had upon finishing the book was how Louisa was able to marry Captain Benwick when he didn't have much money. Did Louisa have a sizable enough dowry for both of them? Perhaps I overlooked something or am just misunderstanding?

2.5 stars, I guess? ...more

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May 03, 2015 Heidi rated it it was amazing

Shelves: classics

After years of claiming I hated Jane Austen novels on the strength of the one I was required to read in high school (Pride and Prejudice, of course), I was persuaded (pun intended) to give her another shot. I don't know if the difference is primarily due to the book or to my maturity, but I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. Not ground-breaking for most, granted, but for me it's sort of a big deal. ...more

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