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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
at times slow, but this is how you do characters and critique of norms
“I offer myself to you again with a heart even more your own than when you almost broke it, eight and half years ago.”
I loved this! RIP Anne Elliot you would’ve loved crying in your room to The Night We Met
I loved this! RIP Anne Elliot you would’ve loved crying in your room to The Night We Met
emotional
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
funny
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
“Men have had every advantage of us in telling their own story. Education has been theirs in so much higher a degree; the pen has been in their hands. I will not allow books to prove anything.”
Compared to the much more popular [b:Pride and Prejudice|1885|Pride and Prejudice|Jane Austen|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1320399351l/1885._SY75_.jpg|3060926], Persuasion seems somewhat weaker. There is little dialogue throughout the novel, and so very little between Anne and Wentworth. Or is it? I often see this book as a coded message that you have to decipher. Did Austen play on the fact that men had always had the pen in their hands, and thus went for something that defied the norm by putting most of the communication in silences, in a way defying the control of men? Don’t know, but that’s how my ‘modern’ self sees it.
Once more the story is ever so simple, the main difference being that our leads had already fallen in love with each other, 8 years prior, and that it hadn’t ended well. Again it is the author’s treatment that is masterful, if challenging. There is much more 'telling’ than ‘showing’, which distances the reader from the narration. Naturally, we still have a cast of characters full of ridicule to entertain us (yep, I laughed several times at Austen’s acerbic treatment of them), and a ‘study' on what the title’s character trait endeavours.
But let’s come back to our couple. One speaks very little, the other nothing pleasant. Both are at first distrustful of each other, unsure of how they ‘read’ each other, and throughout the novel, they rediscover their language, that deep understanding of each other.
I will accept that this novel might be less entertaining than the rest of Austen's work, but on the other hand, you have the depth of feeling represented here. It is an ‘older’ book, full of subtleties, and one that I cherish. Finally, you may have heard of The Letter :O) It is beautiful, swoon-worthy, and here, with some of my thoughts
Compared to the much more popular [b:Pride and Prejudice|1885|Pride and Prejudice|Jane Austen|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1320399351l/1885._SY75_.jpg|3060926], Persuasion seems somewhat weaker. There is little dialogue throughout the novel, and so very little between Anne and Wentworth. Or is it? I often see this book as a coded message that you have to decipher. Did Austen play on the fact that men had always had the pen in their hands, and thus went for something that defied the norm by putting most of the communication in silences, in a way defying the control of men? Don’t know, but that’s how my ‘modern’ self sees it.
Once more the story is ever so simple, the main difference being that our leads had already fallen in love with each other, 8 years prior, and that it hadn’t ended well. Again it is the author’s treatment that is masterful, if challenging. There is much more 'telling’ than ‘showing’, which distances the reader from the narration. Naturally, we still have a cast of characters full of ridicule to entertain us (yep, I laughed several times at Austen’s acerbic treatment of them), and a ‘study' on what the title’s character trait endeavours.
But let’s come back to our couple. One speaks very little, the other nothing pleasant. Both are at first distrustful of each other, unsure of how they ‘read’ each other, and throughout the novel, they rediscover their language, that deep understanding of each other.
I will accept that this novel might be less entertaining than the rest of Austen's work, but on the other hand, you have the depth of feeling represented here. It is an ‘older’ book, full of subtleties, and one that I cherish. Finally, you may have heard of The Letter :O) It is beautiful, swoon-worthy, and here, with some of my thoughts
Spoiler
“I can listen no longer in silence. I must speak to you by such means as are within my reach.Silence, once more, that has characterised their relationship. Their eventual reconciliation is not done through direct communication, but by listening to what each is saying to others, here Anne with Harville. Silence also from Wentworth who could have proposed again when his situation had bettered (2 years instead of 8) but he kept silent! And the reference of pen to paper.
You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope.This feels so physical! I mean, wow!
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.The construction of that first sentence makes it so powerful. Time has played a huge part here, for both of them, and they’ve both matured
Dare not say that man forgets sooner than woman, that his love has an earlier death.Here, he answers what Anne said to Harville - “We certainly do not forget you as soon as you forget us”.
I have loved none but you. Unjust I may have been, weak and resentful I have been, but never inconstant.Main point of the whole letter, dividing the letter from the past, and now working towards the present. Also, from negatives to positives
You alone have brought me to Bath. For you alone, I think and plan. Have you not seen this? Can you fail to have understood my wishes? I had not waited even these ten days, could I have read your feelings, as I think you must have penetrated mine. I can hardly write. I am every instant hearing something which overpowers me.From years, we’re at days now. All the ‘you’s, putting her as his main concern, instead of himself or his hurt. Also, is he relinquishing the power of the pen/man, and giving it to her.
You sink your voice, but I can distinguish the tones of that voice when they would be lost on others.Contrary to what he’s been saying, that Anne is no one, here we have the truth. Even her tones of voice have meaning :O)
Too good, too excellent creature! You do us justice, indeed. You do believe that there is true attachment and constancy among men.Understanding and hope that she does still love him.
Believe it to be most fervent, most undeviating, inAnd here we are, the right now! And once more, non-verbal communication to seal their fate.
F. W.
I must go, uncertain of my fate; but I shall return hither, or follow your party, as soon as possible. A word, a look, will be enough to decide whether I enter your father's house this evening or never.”
emotional
reflective
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
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
I have not read every Austen book but it's hard to believe any other will beat how this one made me feel!!
Anne Elliot was such an endearing protagonist to me. I was at all times rooting for her to leave the family who didn't appreciate her and at most found her useful and trade it in for the company of the Musgroves and Harvilles or even the Crofts who treated her with the kindness and familiarity she deserved.
This story is about second chances and how time changes circumstances. It's set in a time of great social mobility and it reflects in how Anne and Captain Wentworth's lives have turned out after 8 years. Her family on the decline and his on the rise.
I found the cast of characters interesting to read about and generally fun. The Musgrove family serves in great contrast to the Elliot's who, despite having the superior rank, are not considered superior in much else by the narrative. I will say that Sir Walter and Elizabeth felt at times as caricatures but they were a good medium for Austen to demonstrate a time period of social mobility and characters stuck in the old ideas of rank and birth.
The narration is witty and has the usual humorous critique of society, who could forget the iconic "Dick Musgrove, who had never done anything to entitle himself to more than the abbreviation of his name". But it's also generally less restricting of characters having fun, the family gatherings feel less stifled (except with the Elliots) and although it seems tame, it generally makes the argument for taking risks and following one's heart.
The ending is BEAUTIFULLY done, though how we get there feels a bit convenient. Throughout the book we see the way Captain Wentworth and Anne are attuned to each other, even to their dismay. They share knowledge of each other that could never be erased. And to see them avoid it, out of hurt and self preservation and then their slow progression back to each other??? half agony half hope indeed. It's such a tender thesis of the enduring nature of love, i went to a yearning competition but they were already there!!
Anne Elliot was such an endearing protagonist to me. I was at all times rooting for her to leave the family who didn't appreciate her and at most found her useful and trade it in for the company of the Musgroves and Harvilles or even the Crofts who treated her with the kindness and familiarity she deserved.
This story is about second chances and how time changes circumstances. It's set in a time of great social mobility and it reflects in how Anne and Captain Wentworth's lives have turned out after 8 years. Her family on the decline and his on the rise.
I found the cast of characters interesting to read about and generally fun. The Musgrove family serves in great contrast to the Elliot's who, despite having the superior rank, are not considered superior in much else by the narrative. I will say that Sir Walter and Elizabeth felt at times as caricatures but they were a good medium for Austen to demonstrate a time period of social mobility and characters stuck in the old ideas of rank and birth.
The narration is witty and has the usual humorous critique of society, who could forget the iconic "Dick Musgrove, who had never done anything to entitle himself to more than the abbreviation of his name". But it's also generally less restricting of characters having fun, the family gatherings feel less stifled (except with the Elliots) and although it seems tame, it generally makes the argument for taking risks and following one's heart.
The ending is BEAUTIFULLY done, though how we get there feels a bit convenient. Throughout the book we see the way Captain Wentworth and Anne are attuned to each other, even to their dismay. They share knowledge of each other that could never be erased. And to see them avoid it, out of hurt and self preservation and then their slow progression back to each other??? half agony half hope indeed. It's such a tender thesis of the enduring nature of love, i went to a yearning competition but they were already there!!
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes