Persuasion Readalong (SPOILER FREE / in time with schedule)

[Claudia]

This is the discussion thread for the readalong for Persuasion, so chat about the chapters you've read today or earlier in the readalong, but please don't spoiler any of what's coming up! If you're rereading, be considerate of first-time readers. Posts with spoilers will be deleted.

The schedule is:

22nd to 31st July

22nd July: chapters 1, 2, 3
23rd July: chapters 4, 5
24th July: chapters 6, 7, 8
25th July: chapters 9, 10, 11
26th July: chapters 12, 13
27th July: chapters 14, 15
28th July: chapters 16, 17
29th July: chapters 18, 19
30th July: chapters 20, 21
31st July: chapters 22, 23, 24

[Claudia]

I've just finished the first three chapters, and I'm struck by how slow the opening is compared to other Austen works where we are thrown right in the middle of the action. In the first chapter, it almost seemed like this book is about to be about Sir Walter or even Elizabeth Elliot.

[Alicia]

To a better understanding of the first chapter I recommend Dr. Octavia Cox, Youtube video: "What is a BARONETCY? Sir Walter & the “dignity of baronet”: Jane Austen PERSUASION class analysis"

www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQpVqNyrsBI

By the way, the end of chapter 3 is so intriguing!

[Liz]

I noticed many of Jane's characters in her books have the same names.

[Liz]

Claudia I agree with you about the long intro.

[Bonnie]

“A lady without children is the best preserver of furniture.” I can relate to this with how particular I am about my antiques and furniture lol

[Claudia]

Unless the childless lady has cats of course 😼

[Hope]

I think Anne might end up being the Austen character that I find most relatable.

[Paige]

I also agree with the slow start. My mom is reading this for the first time, and she struggles with Austen's writing style. I told her if she can get through the first three chapters, then chapter four is where the story really begins. Chapters 1-3 are just laying the groundwork.

[Alicia]

I find the following quote from Chapter 6 very cruel

“...that the Musgroves had had the ill fortune of a very troublesome, hopeless son; and the good fortune to lose him before he reached his twentieth year.

[Alicia]

I find both Ann´s sisters very annoying but i kind of missing in these chapters the ridiculous Mr. Elliot remarks about people physical appearance.

[QNPoohBear]

Paige wrote: "I also agree with the slow start. My mom is reading this for the first time, and she struggles with Austen's writing style. I told her if she can get through the first three chapters, then chapter ..."

My mom felt the same way but I've never had a problem with the language at all. I waited until I had the knowledge and context to even try to start reading Jane Austen. Plus the 90s movies helped.

[Sipz and Storiez]

Every time I read Persuasion, I like Anne Elliot more and Captain Wentworth less. Anne is one of Austen's best characters. She is mature, elegant and kind. Captain Wentworth is so bitter and mean to her at the beginning of the book. He behaves like he is trying to punish Anne for the mistakes of the past by flaunting his success and flirting with other women. I think he is prouder and more conceited than Mr. Darcy.

[Liz]

So far I'm enjoying Persuasion. I think at this point I like Mansfield Park better. of course I will have to see how it ends.

[Liz]

I noticed that Jane's heroines and the men they love are highly perceptive and everyone else is ignorant or naive. Anne would like me very much. We would get along well. I say whatever I think and feel all the time and sometimes this gets me into trouble.

[Jill]

Is it me or is Persuasion harder to read? The sentence structure makes it hard to follow!

[Renuka]

Sipz and Storiez wrote: "Every time I read Persuasion, I like Anne Elliot more and Captain Wentworth less. Anne is one of Austen's best characters. She is mature, elegant and kind. Captain Wentworth is so bitter and mean t..."

I have never liked the fact that Wentworth started noticing Anne again only after Mr Elliot admired her even without knowing who she was.
I have always liked William Elliot for that mark of real taste - after all, there were the two young chicks Wentworth was flirting with also there, but Elliot had the taste, and at first sight too, to note the one who was of more worth.
When it is found out later at the inn that Anne's unknown admirer is the next baronet of Kellynch Sir William Elliot, Wentworth again briefly looks at Anne.
NOW, he begins to appreciate her.
NOW, he remembers that she had turned down Charles Musgrove the heir and next head of the Haycross.
NOW perhaps he begins to wonder what would happen when the cousins inevitably meet... both being free...
No - I am not enamoured of Wentworth: the egoist. Anne is repeating her mother's mistake.