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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
Riconfermo: amo questo libro.
È così diverso da tutti gli altri libri della Austen, a tratti sembra non essere suo. Anne è un' eroina a sé stante, dolce ma con una grande forza di carattere, dotata di una femminilità così profonda da permetterle di esternarla a modo suo, e nella sua persona troviamo, insieme a tutta la storia, una sentita risonanza con la stagione autunnale. Non so perché proprio questa atmosfera mi faccia collegare così bene alla questione del tempo, trascorso, perduto, vissuto e non, ma funziona alla grande.
La storia d'amore è semplicemente divina, 8 ANNI E MEZZO RIPETO 8 ANNI E MEZZO e questi due ancora si amano.
Lo consiglio sicuramente a chi ha già letto gli altri romanzi di zia Jane, perché per godere a pieno di questa lettura si deve comprendere bene il percorso che ha portato la scrittrice a scrivere questa storia, con questi precisi personaggi dei quali, in particolare, ci viene spiegata bene la psicologia.
È una storia triste, che come da regola finisce bene, ma tutta la sofferenza di Anne si sente, esce dalle pagine e colpisce dritta nell'anima. Credo che proprio per questo il finale "e vissero tutti felici e contenti" sia così soddisfacente.
È stata una gioia rileggere questo malinconico capolavoro, grazie zia Jane.
(PS LA LETTERA DI WENTWORTH È FORSE LA COSA PIÙ ROMANTICA CHE IO ABBIA MAI LETTO)
È così diverso da tutti gli altri libri della Austen, a tratti sembra non essere suo. Anne è un' eroina a sé stante, dolce ma con una grande forza di carattere, dotata di una femminilità così profonda da permetterle di esternarla a modo suo, e nella sua persona troviamo, insieme a tutta la storia, una sentita risonanza con la stagione autunnale. Non so perché proprio questa atmosfera mi faccia collegare così bene alla questione del tempo, trascorso, perduto, vissuto e non, ma funziona alla grande.
La storia d'amore è semplicemente divina, 8 ANNI E MEZZO RIPETO 8 ANNI E MEZZO e questi due ancora si amano.
Lo consiglio sicuramente a chi ha già letto gli altri romanzi di zia Jane, perché per godere a pieno di questa lettura si deve comprendere bene il percorso che ha portato la scrittrice a scrivere questa storia, con questi precisi personaggi dei quali, in particolare, ci viene spiegata bene la psicologia.
È una storia triste, che come da regola finisce bene, ma tutta la sofferenza di Anne si sente, esce dalle pagine e colpisce dritta nell'anima. Credo che proprio per questo il finale "e vissero tutti felici e contenti" sia così soddisfacente.
È stata una gioia rileggere questo malinconico capolavoro, grazie zia Jane.
(PS LA LETTERA DI WENTWORTH È FORSE LA COSA PIÙ ROMANTICA CHE IO ABBIA MAI LETTO)
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I did enjoy this, though it's the slowest of burns without enough of a climax and epilogue for my tastes. That letter, however, is exquisite.
Austen does lovers-spat + social change with immaculate precision.
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Jane Austen made the most perfect series
Review from 2016
I can't possibly presume to give the genius of Jane Austen a grading for book content, but I've given Michael Page a B+ for his narration.
When I suggested the title of "Caz's Classics Corner" to the editor at AudioGals as a collective title for a handful of reviews I was going to write of audiobooks of literary classics, I WAS JOKING.
But it stuck.
So for the next couple of weeks, you'll find me pontificating in my Classics Corner, starting with an overview of Jane Austen's Persuasion.
Persuasion is Jane Austen’s last completed work, and as someone who enjoys second chance romances, I’m a big fan. It was written in a hurry shortly before her death, and is the only one of her books to feature a heroine who is (in terms of the mores of the time) past the bloom of youth (Anne is twenty-seven) and a hero who is not landed gentry, but a self-made man.
At first glance, it might seem a bit odd to have a male narrator performing a Jane Austen book, but having listened to Michael Page in a number of other audiobooks, I had no hesitation in selecting his version of the book from all those available. (A recording by Rosalyn Landor has been released since I originally wrote this piece, and needless to say, I will be adding that to my library as well!) His cut-crystal tones are perfect for Austen’s scalpel-sharp observational prose in this story of lovers reunited after years apart. Anne Elliot is the middle (of three) daughter of Sir Walter, a baronet who is so full of his own self-importance that the word “snob” doesn’t even begin to describe him. Her eldest sister, Elizabeth, is still unmarried and is as much of a snob as her father, and her younger sister, Mary, is married to Charles Musgrove and is settled at Uppercross with her husband and young children. Eight years previously, Anne had met and fallen in love with Frederick Wentworth, a worthy but poor young naval officer; but was persuaded, by her father and Lady Russell – an old family friend and the closest thing Anne had to a mother after the death of her own – to refuse his proposal of marriage. Terribly hurt at Anne’s rejection and at the fact that she was so easily swayed by her relatives, Wentworth left, and Anne has seen and heard nothing of him since. He has now returned to England following the end of the Napoleonic wars a distinguished Captain – and an extremely wealthy one at that.
Wentworth and Anne are put back into each other’s way when his sister’s husband, Admiral Croft, rents Kellynch Hall (the Elliot’s home) for the summer. The Elliots are all to remove to Bath in order to conserve funds, but when Mary, as she so often does, complains of her health, the plans are changed, and Sir Walter and Elizabeth go to Bath while Anne goes to stay with Mary and her family. Word reaches them that Captain Wentworth is staying at Kellynch with his sister, and Anne hopes that perhaps they may meet as friends.
Their first meeting after eight years, however, is a disappointment on Anne’s part. Even though she tells herself that the cool cordiality with which she and Wentworth meet again is exactly as it should be, she cannot help but feel downcast by his manner. In fact, he seems more interested in one of Musgrove’s sisters than in Anne, and she resigns herself to the fact that she has lost his love forever.
A few more twists and turns of the plot sees Anne being courted by her cousin, who will inherit the baronetcy upon the death of Sir Walter – and who turns out to be a rather nasty piece of work, wanting to marry Anne only because he wishes to secure the Elliot title and fortune. Captain Wentworth, whose manner towards Anne has been gradually becoming warmer, is terribly jealous of Mr Elliot, and pens her a love letter which is one of my favourite declarations of love ever written – and of course, all ends happily, with the lovers back where they belong – together.
Persuasion is Jane Austen’s last completed work, and as someone who enjoys second chance romances, I’m a big fan. It was written in a hurry shortly before her death, and is the only one of her books to feature a heroine who is (in terms of the mores of the time) past the bloom of youth (Anne is twenty-seven) and a hero who is not landed gentry, but a self-made man. The author’s depictions of Sir Walter and Elizabeth are positively scathing, although couched, naturally, in that wonderful veneer of politeness that she uses so effectively to veil her most cutting barbs, and it’s in the delivery of these that Michael Page particularly excels. His portrayal of Sir Walter is perfect, his speech constantly given a bored drawl that captures the essence of the man – selfish, self-important and irresponsible. His pacing is excellent as are his interpretations of the numerous secondary characters in the book, both male and female, all of whom are successfully characterised and differentiated. Mr Page does a good job of keeping his portrayals of Anne and Wentworth distinct from all of them, although if I have a criticism of the audio overall, it’s that his vocalisation of Wentworth is a little overly bright to start with. But I especially enjoyed his portrayal of Anne; her good sense and kindness come through in his performance, as does her appreciation of the ridiculous and her ability to see the faults in those she loves even as she accepts them. It’s an excellent performance of one of my favourite novels, and one I’m happy to recommend.
I can't possibly presume to give the genius of Jane Austen a grading for book content, but I've given Michael Page a B+ for his narration.
When I suggested the title of "Caz's Classics Corner" to the editor at AudioGals as a collective title for a handful of reviews I was going to write of audiobooks of literary classics, I WAS JOKING.
But it stuck.
So for the next couple of weeks, you'll find me pontificating in my Classics Corner, starting with an overview of Jane Austen's Persuasion.
Persuasion is Jane Austen’s last completed work, and as someone who enjoys second chance romances, I’m a big fan. It was written in a hurry shortly before her death, and is the only one of her books to feature a heroine who is (in terms of the mores of the time) past the bloom of youth (Anne is twenty-seven) and a hero who is not landed gentry, but a self-made man.
At first glance, it might seem a bit odd to have a male narrator performing a Jane Austen book, but having listened to Michael Page in a number of other audiobooks, I had no hesitation in selecting his version of the book from all those available. (A recording by Rosalyn Landor has been released since I originally wrote this piece, and needless to say, I will be adding that to my library as well!) His cut-crystal tones are perfect for Austen’s scalpel-sharp observational prose in this story of lovers reunited after years apart. Anne Elliot is the middle (of three) daughter of Sir Walter, a baronet who is so full of his own self-importance that the word “snob” doesn’t even begin to describe him. Her eldest sister, Elizabeth, is still unmarried and is as much of a snob as her father, and her younger sister, Mary, is married to Charles Musgrove and is settled at Uppercross with her husband and young children. Eight years previously, Anne had met and fallen in love with Frederick Wentworth, a worthy but poor young naval officer; but was persuaded, by her father and Lady Russell – an old family friend and the closest thing Anne had to a mother after the death of her own – to refuse his proposal of marriage. Terribly hurt at Anne’s rejection and at the fact that she was so easily swayed by her relatives, Wentworth left, and Anne has seen and heard nothing of him since. He has now returned to England following the end of the Napoleonic wars a distinguished Captain – and an extremely wealthy one at that.
Wentworth and Anne are put back into each other’s way when his sister’s husband, Admiral Croft, rents Kellynch Hall (the Elliot’s home) for the summer. The Elliots are all to remove to Bath in order to conserve funds, but when Mary, as she so often does, complains of her health, the plans are changed, and Sir Walter and Elizabeth go to Bath while Anne goes to stay with Mary and her family. Word reaches them that Captain Wentworth is staying at Kellynch with his sister, and Anne hopes that perhaps they may meet as friends.
Their first meeting after eight years, however, is a disappointment on Anne’s part. Even though she tells herself that the cool cordiality with which she and Wentworth meet again is exactly as it should be, she cannot help but feel downcast by his manner. In fact, he seems more interested in one of Musgrove’s sisters than in Anne, and she resigns herself to the fact that she has lost his love forever.
A few more twists and turns of the plot sees Anne being courted by her cousin, who will inherit the baronetcy upon the death of Sir Walter – and who turns out to be a rather nasty piece of work, wanting to marry Anne only because he wishes to secure the Elliot title and fortune. Captain Wentworth, whose manner towards Anne has been gradually becoming warmer, is terribly jealous of Mr Elliot, and pens her a love letter which is one of my favourite declarations of love ever written – and of course, all ends happily, with the lovers back where they belong – together.
Persuasion is Jane Austen’s last completed work, and as someone who enjoys second chance romances, I’m a big fan. It was written in a hurry shortly before her death, and is the only one of her books to feature a heroine who is (in terms of the mores of the time) past the bloom of youth (Anne is twenty-seven) and a hero who is not landed gentry, but a self-made man. The author’s depictions of Sir Walter and Elizabeth are positively scathing, although couched, naturally, in that wonderful veneer of politeness that she uses so effectively to veil her most cutting barbs, and it’s in the delivery of these that Michael Page particularly excels. His portrayal of Sir Walter is perfect, his speech constantly given a bored drawl that captures the essence of the man – selfish, self-important and irresponsible. His pacing is excellent as are his interpretations of the numerous secondary characters in the book, both male and female, all of whom are successfully characterised and differentiated. Mr Page does a good job of keeping his portrayals of Anne and Wentworth distinct from all of them, although if I have a criticism of the audio overall, it’s that his vocalisation of Wentworth is a little overly bright to start with. But I especially enjoyed his portrayal of Anne; her good sense and kindness come through in his performance, as does her appreciation of the ridiculous and her ability to see the faults in those she loves even as she accepts them. It’s an excellent performance of one of my favourite novels, and one I’m happy to recommend.
“Persuasion” has now become one of my most favourite novels only next in place to Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre .
This I consider to be Austen’s most superior work.
I feel “Pride and Prejudice “ has unjustly been favoured over “Persuasion”
This novel is more than just a breathtakingly beautiful love story , it is filled with brilliant character analysis and constantly but subtly shines light on the atrocious prejudices that were considered as virtues in the aristocratic society .
It would be lovely to live in a world filled with more characters like Anne Elliot and Captain Wentworth .
The story mainly circles around the lead character Anne Elliot .Her strength of character is evident when she was resolved to wait for true love with a man possessing a cultivated character and a cultivated mind when everyone around her were settling down and quickly running down the aisle.
She was willing to wait at the risk of remaining a spinster and going it alone but not settle for anything inferior out of fear or pressure , I admire her for her virtue and life was kind enough to repay her for her goodness with an exceptional love .
My most favourite lines from the book :
Anne Elliot:
“Yes we certainly do not forget you , as soon as you forget us .
It is perhaps our fate rather than our merit .”
“All the privilege I claim for my own sex (it is not a very enviable one,you need not covet it )is that of loving longest , when existence or when hope is gone “,
Captain Frederick Wentworth:
“ I can listen no longer in silence .I must speak to you by such means as are within my reach .You pierce my soul.Iam half agony , half hope .
Dare not you say that man forgets sooner than woman , that his love has an earlier death .Unjust I may have been , weak and resentful I have been , but never inconstant .You alone have brought me to Bath.
For you alone I think and plan .
Have you not seen this ?
Can you have failed to have understood my wishes ?”
This I consider to be Austen’s most superior work.
I feel “Pride and Prejudice “ has unjustly been favoured over “Persuasion”
This novel is more than just a breathtakingly beautiful love story , it is filled with brilliant character analysis and constantly but subtly shines light on the atrocious prejudices that were considered as virtues in the aristocratic society .
It would be lovely to live in a world filled with more characters like Anne Elliot and Captain Wentworth .
The story mainly circles around the lead character Anne Elliot .Her strength of character is evident when she was resolved to wait for true love with a man possessing a cultivated character and a cultivated mind when everyone around her were settling down and quickly running down the aisle.
She was willing to wait at the risk of remaining a spinster and going it alone but not settle for anything inferior out of fear or pressure , I admire her for her virtue and life was kind enough to repay her for her goodness with an exceptional love .
My most favourite lines from the book :
Anne Elliot:
“Yes we certainly do not forget you , as soon as you forget us .
It is perhaps our fate rather than our merit .”
“All the privilege I claim for my own sex (it is not a very enviable one,you need not covet it )is that of loving longest , when existence or when hope is gone “,
Captain Frederick Wentworth:
“ I can listen no longer in silence .I must speak to you by such means as are within my reach .You pierce my soul.Iam half agony , half hope .
Dare not you say that man forgets sooner than woman , that his love has an earlier death .Unjust I may have been , weak and resentful I have been , but never inconstant .You alone have brought me to Bath.
For you alone I think and plan .
Have you not seen this ?
Can you have failed to have understood my wishes ?”
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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