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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
My least fav Austen I’ve read thus far. Just didn’t really like any of the characters
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
lighthearted
medium-paced
There is something very charming about Persuasion. It is a story about the steadfastness of true love and its ability withstand time, change, and a slew of misunderstandings. Anne and Captain Wentworth’s love story is one of patience – patience on their part, and on the part of the readers. I was constantly frustrated by the intrusions and schemes of others, and the frequent physical distance placed between the two. Anne’s removal to Bath almost made me give up hope. I could not abide the rest of the Elliot family – their selfishness and vanity, their slim regard for anything but social standing. It was a wonder that Anne turned out so sweet and unaffected. She was so obliging to everyone else and went hither and thither as they bid. I hoped that she would stand up for herself and take control of her own life; but she was more inclined to leave everything to chance. Captain Wentworth too was weak in that respect. He was perfectly content to lead the Miss Musgrove’s on, to ignore Anne at every possible opportunity, and then become jealous when others showed their attention. They were not a very bold pair; they kept their true feelings tightly concealed, but that was perhaps the result of their uncertainty. Of not knowing whether time had altered the other’s devotion. It had not.
Persuasion was much more about the past than the present. It was reflective, and the maturity of the characters made it a slower paced romance. A lot had to be undone. Time had not weakened the love between Anne and Captain Wentworth, but it had raised many questions, and allowed misconceptions to brew. The ending was more than gratifying. Austen wrote a beautiful final novel.
Persuasion was much more about the past than the present. It was reflective, and the maturity of the characters made it a slower paced romance. A lot had to be undone. Time had not weakened the love between Anne and Captain Wentworth, but it had raised many questions, and allowed misconceptions to brew. The ending was more than gratifying. Austen wrote a beautiful final novel.
emotional
lighthearted
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
If you like Pride and Prejudice, then you will like Persuasion. I like how all of the characters interact with each other, and the plot is engaging and easy to follow. The romance between Captain Wentworth and Anne Elliot flows very nicely as well. I personally prefer Wentworth's love confession to Darcy's. Their separation, feelings, and reunion all make sense, and both sides of the relationship are equally displayed and valued. The drama around their social circle is all very entertaining as well. In regards to the main antagonist, Mr. Elliot was not the strongest of the Austen antagonists I've read, and he didn't particularly stand out to me (for the other ones, it was clear through their behavior that the other Austen antagonists were deceptive or not to be trusted, but with Mr. Elliot I didn't pay him much mind while reading), though hearing all the tea was still interesting.
In regards to Anne's character, I liked her well enough. At times she reminded me of my favorite Austen heroine, Elinor, due to her good sense and sense of duty, though Anne takes a slightly more passive role compared to Elinor. She also reminded me of Fanny due to her family's disregard of her.
Overall, this was an enjoyable book, probably tied with Pride and Prejudice in terms of my enjoyment, and one to read if you want an Austen romance.
In regards to Anne's character, I liked her well enough. At times she reminded me of my favorite Austen heroine, Elinor, due to her good sense and sense of duty, though Anne takes a slightly more passive role compared to Elinor. She also reminded me of Fanny due to her family's disregard of her.
Overall, this was an enjoyable book, probably tied with Pride and Prejudice in terms of my enjoyment, and one to read if you want an Austen romance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
Moderate: Classism
reflective
medium-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
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The situations in the book I found strong and fairly intriguing, but I the sublimation of any kind of direct communication in that society drove me up the wall. It's credit to Austen's strength as a writer to have characters that bug me so badly, but they were not people I wanted to spend a whole lot of time with.
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes