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laffingllamas's review against another edition
4.0
Definitely not Austen's best, but an enjoyable novel nonetheless.
athena21's review against another edition
4.0
This novel may have rapidly propelled itself to my favourite Austen novel, although I'll probably have to read it a few more times to confirm (and to give it a chance of properly rivalling my love for Pride & Prejudice or Emma...). I really do love the set up for the novel, of Anne & Wentworth's almost-engagement almost 8 years ago, their separation, and her continued longing for him... it's really the perfect set of ingredients. More is thrown in too - background romance drama, critique of society, people who are not what they seem, and a woman slighted. It's a wonderful concoction and I loved it right from the start. This is often called Austen's most mature novel, in that it was written at the end of her life, but also in the subject matter. It explores Anne's maturation, the way the years have treated her, and her concern that she is not as pretty as she was when she first met Wentworth, that she has been forgotten, and that she has not made much of the past 8 years. It really is an interesting portrayal of an older protagonist than in her previous novels, and it's a theme that is continued through other characters too. I'll probably have to come back to this review once my thoughts are more in order, but I can say now that I really really loved this, I loved that Austen allowed Anne to be obviously deeply in love, and as always the confession of love at the end made me genuinely exclaim out loud because it was so lovely.
ksawatsky's review against another edition
3.0
This is probably my least favorite novel by Jane Austen, but it was still enjoyable to be back in her world.
thelanabear's review against another edition
Persuasion is an insight into a bygone era. Although the relationships between characters, which is the entire focus of the book, are outdated, Austen manages to convince the reader of the importance of a glance. There is excitement to be found in the chance encounters of Anne and Captain Wentworth on the street from the understanding that Austen gives us of Anne.
ecuac's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
sid_with_sass's review against another edition
4.0
I read Persuasion in preparation of the new Netflix movie adaptation. This was my first Jane Austen book, and I really liked it. I would have liked more character development over all, but it was fun and romantic read.
logan_turner's review against another edition
4.0
I think this is my first official, completed Austen book. I've seen my fair share of the movies, but I don't think I've ever read one from start to finish until now. Tragic, no? I remedied this thanks to the Austen in August event hosted by Roof Beam Reader. It's always difficult for me to read classics unless I have a good reason to do so, and blog events are a great motivator.
I knew nothing about Persuasion prior to this event, but all of the participants and other bloggers commenting that it was their favorite Austen made me wonder what all of the fuss was about. I mean...beating the alliterative P and S titles? It must be pretty good. I had it loaded on my Kindle before August even started.
The beginning was a bit slow. I confess to re-reading large chunks of the first chapters while getting lulled to sleep by my morning commute. Jane is not the person to get me fired up in the morning, I guess. I did very much like Anne, however, and as long as she wasn't spending time with her horrible father and older sister, things perked up.
Mrs. Charles Musgrove...
Anne's younger sister, Mary, is a total gas. Can I say that? Is "hoot" better? No? Okay, well, she's hilarious then. Obnoxious and insufferable, but still fun because for the most part she's harmless. She has an ego the size of Jupiter and feels entitled to more than she is probably due. Anne manages her fairly well, and Mary's poor husband Charles certainly tries, but I love Mary's histrionic style and need to be in the middle of everything.
Anne spends a large portion of the beginning of this tale at Mary's house, where she gets pulled into the extended Musgrove family (Mary's in-laws). Anne is a welcome addition, and much preferred over Mary to Charles' sisters, Louisa and Henrietta, as well as pretty much anyone who has ever met Mary. Poor Mary. For those that don't know, Anne's family is living beyond their means, so they set off to Bath and rent their house to the Crofts.
Oh Captain, my Captain...
The important part of this is that Mrs. Croft's brother is the good Captain Wentworth, Anne's heartbroken former love. They were set to be married until Anne's good family friend (and stand-in for her deceased mother) Lady Russell persuaded her that it was a poor match. Then Wentworth goes off to the navy and makes a bazillion dollars and shows up to visit his sister eight years later. You can practically see him and Anne awkwardly shuffling their feet while being forced into the same rooms again after all this time.
Over the course of the book, Wentworth tries to find a new bride out of one of the Musgrove girls, Anne joins her father and sister in Bath, and Wentworth keeps popping up on the scene because of their many mutual friends. He does incredibly nice things and is generally thoughtful and kind and still a big dreamboat as far as Anne is concerned. She starts to think that maybe she should follow her heart after all.
True love at last...
I flew through the last half of this book. I was dying to know when they would get together (because they have to get together!!) and how. There are all of these obstacles (Mr. Elliot, Louisa, different locations) and Anne seems uncertain about the Captain's feelings, so you're never really sure if they'll work things out. By the time Wentworth finally slips Anne a secret love note, my heart was pounding in my chest and upon reading his sweet and poetic words I promptly shed a tear.
SWOON!
Wentworth does such a good job hiding his feelings that I felt immense relief when Anne gets that letter. It's the final confirmation after an entire novel of events that he does, in fact, love her despite everything. Up until that point, we see him courting Louisa and avoiding Anne and we're stuck wondering "Does he or doesn't he?" But he DOES! Yes! The romance between these two sells the story alone, but the funny social antics on display and the surprising twists and turns of the plot make this a thoroughly enjoyable read. I loved it.
I knew nothing about Persuasion prior to this event, but all of the participants and other bloggers commenting that it was their favorite Austen made me wonder what all of the fuss was about. I mean...beating the alliterative P and S titles? It must be pretty good. I had it loaded on my Kindle before August even started.
The beginning was a bit slow. I confess to re-reading large chunks of the first chapters while getting lulled to sleep by my morning commute. Jane is not the person to get me fired up in the morning, I guess. I did very much like Anne, however, and as long as she wasn't spending time with her horrible father and older sister, things perked up.
Mrs. Charles Musgrove...
Anne's younger sister, Mary, is a total gas. Can I say that? Is "hoot" better? No? Okay, well, she's hilarious then. Obnoxious and insufferable, but still fun because for the most part she's harmless. She has an ego the size of Jupiter and feels entitled to more than she is probably due. Anne manages her fairly well, and Mary's poor husband Charles certainly tries, but I love Mary's histrionic style and need to be in the middle of everything.
Anne spends a large portion of the beginning of this tale at Mary's house, where she gets pulled into the extended Musgrove family (Mary's in-laws). Anne is a welcome addition, and much preferred over Mary to Charles' sisters, Louisa and Henrietta, as well as pretty much anyone who has ever met Mary. Poor Mary. For those that don't know, Anne's family is living beyond their means, so they set off to Bath and rent their house to the Crofts.
Oh Captain, my Captain...
The important part of this is that Mrs. Croft's brother is the good Captain Wentworth, Anne's heartbroken former love. They were set to be married until Anne's good family friend (and stand-in for her deceased mother) Lady Russell persuaded her that it was a poor match. Then Wentworth goes off to the navy and makes a bazillion dollars and shows up to visit his sister eight years later. You can practically see him and Anne awkwardly shuffling their feet while being forced into the same rooms again after all this time.
Over the course of the book, Wentworth tries to find a new bride out of one of the Musgrove girls, Anne joins her father and sister in Bath, and Wentworth keeps popping up on the scene because of their many mutual friends. He does incredibly nice things and is generally thoughtful and kind and still a big dreamboat as far as Anne is concerned. She starts to think that maybe she should follow her heart after all.
True love at last...
I flew through the last half of this book. I was dying to know when they would get together (because they have to get together!!) and how. There are all of these obstacles (Mr. Elliot, Louisa, different locations) and Anne seems uncertain about the Captain's feelings, so you're never really sure if they'll work things out. By the time Wentworth finally slips Anne a secret love note, my heart was pounding in my chest and upon reading his sweet and poetic words I promptly shed a tear.
SWOON!
Wentworth does such a good job hiding his feelings that I felt immense relief when Anne gets that letter. It's the final confirmation after an entire novel of events that he does, in fact, love her despite everything. Up until that point, we see him courting Louisa and avoiding Anne and we're stuck wondering "Does he or doesn't he?" But he DOES! Yes! The romance between these two sells the story alone, but the funny social antics on display and the surprising twists and turns of the plot make this a thoroughly enjoyable read. I loved it.
itschesta's review against another edition
funny
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
5.0
madelouisville's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? No
5.0