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wh4tney's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
honnari_hannya's review against another edition
5.0
What can I say about this book that hasn't already been said?
I'm pretty sure Jane Austen didn't invent the trope of reunited lovers, but she certainly perfected it in Persuasion. In my opinion, her best (and most underappreciated) romance.
First we have Anne Elliot: mature, self-possessed, even though she may have been a bit obliging and easily persuaded by those in her inner circle in her youth. Imagine your most sensible mom friend, who you always go to for relationship advice (that you never take) even if she, herself, is not in a relationship. She falls in love with a young naval officer named Frederick Wentworth. But of course, it doesn't work out and they separate, primarily due to differences in status and wealth.
Seven years later, Anne is twenty-seven (cue affronted gasps here) and she thinks her time for romance has already passed. Except this is a Jane Austen novel, so of course Wentworth appears in her life again just as she has resigned herself to cleaning up after her messy, messy family. And surprise, surprise: she's still holding a torch for him.
I think the reason why so many people prefer Pride & Prejudice over this is because it is far more understated. In general, Persuasion is much more a novel of contemplation about the "what ifs" of life. There is no single turning point for Anne and Wentworth's relationship, but rather a gradual simmering until The Letter™ happens. This is opposed to Darcy and Elizabeth's more seething beginning and explosive reveal, which also has A Letter (but Wentworth's is clearly superior).
Speaking of Wentworth, wish I could give this a 10/5 stars just for him. By far my favorite Austen romantic lead. He's flawed, proud, petty—and he absolutely knows it. I can't convince you any better than Jane Austen did herself, in The Letter™, which I'll give you a taste of here:
I screamed, I cried, I wanted to go back to five seconds before I read that last line just so I could experience re-reading it all over again. Wentworth. Whew.
If there is one point of criticism for this novel, it would be the fairly abrupt ending. But they've waited eight and a half years already—let them live. And also read this book.
I'm pretty sure Jane Austen didn't invent the trope of reunited lovers, but she certainly perfected it in Persuasion. In my opinion, her best (and most underappreciated) romance.
First we have Anne Elliot: mature, self-possessed, even though she may have been a bit obliging and easily persuaded by those in her inner circle in her youth. Imagine your most sensible mom friend, who you always go to for relationship advice (that you never take) even if she, herself, is not in a relationship. She falls in love with a young naval officer named Frederick Wentworth. But of course, it doesn't work out and they separate, primarily due to differences in status and wealth.
Seven years later, Anne is twenty-seven (cue affronted gasps here) and she thinks her time for romance has already passed. Except this is a Jane Austen novel, so of course Wentworth appears in her life again just as she has resigned herself to cleaning up after her messy, messy family. And surprise, surprise: she's still holding a torch for him.
I think the reason why so many people prefer Pride & Prejudice over this is because it is far more understated. In general, Persuasion is much more a novel of contemplation about the "what ifs" of life. There is no single turning point for Anne and Wentworth's relationship, but rather a gradual simmering until The Letter™ happens. This is opposed to Darcy and Elizabeth's more seething beginning and explosive reveal, which also has A Letter (but Wentworth's is clearly superior).
Speaking of Wentworth, wish I could give this a 10/5 stars just for him. By far my favorite Austen romantic lead. He's flawed, proud, petty—and he absolutely knows it. I can't convince you any better than Jane Austen did herself, in The Letter™, which I'll give you a taste of here:
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 than when you almost broke it, eight years and a half ago.
I screamed, I cried, I wanted to go back to five seconds before I read that last line just so I could experience re-reading it all over again. Wentworth. Whew.
If there is one point of criticism for this novel, it would be the fairly abrupt ending. But they've waited eight and a half years already—let them live. And also read this book.
inkdrinkermal's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
"I am half agony, half hope." 😍😍
cobaltbookshelf's review against another edition
4.0
This is such a lovely book. I just wish it wasn't so short. Romance was so compelling, in spite of the leading characters rarely talking to each other. Captain Wentworth letter that's how you do second chance romance.
rebekahstuive's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
astratton1027's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5