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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is my favorite Austen and one of my all time favorites. It’s just perfection. I reread it often.
emotional
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
high quality self insert romance book, well done once again miss austen
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Classism
Minor: Colonisation, War
Persuasion by Jane Austen
3.9 Stars
VAGUE SPOILERS AHEAD - Nothing major but if you want to go into this book blind then don't read this.
Persuasion was Jane Austen's last novel and was published after her death in 1817. Just like it has been stated in the title, this novel explores the theme of persuasion in society and how it effects the lives of young women and specifically the life of Anne Elliot, this novel's protagonist. It is set in the Regency period in England and follows the story of Anne's life when the love of her life from her past, Frederick Wentworth, re-enters her life eight years after she was persuaded to end their engagement. The overall theme of the novel is persuasion - but it also explores a variety of ideas such as social class and romance.
One thing that I really enjoyed about this novel was the relationship that has been built between Anne and Frederick. Them having a complex history raises the tension so much that it was sometimes difficult for me to put this book down. Something I really enjoy about this book is that it is more mature compared to Austen's other novels as we are shown how money warps these people's lives and bring them to ruin, as shown through the character of Mrs Smith. Despite this, the book was still very witty and entertaining in the way that only Austen can write. There is also something subtly tragic about this novel in the way that young women are supposed to act in society. The one thing that stood out to me the most was how the rest of Austen's novels are about young and first loves whereas Persuasion is about lost love. I think it subverts what is usually expected from Austen's novels in a way that really makes it stand out.
The only thing that lowers this rating for me is simply the language at times. There were so many passages in this book that I love and that are so well written, but a lot of the time (especially if you haven't read a lot of Austen) it can be difficult to try and figure out what exactly is going on. There were moments during reading this novel where I found myself opening SparkNotes to try and figure out what was happening. However, just because I struggled to get through this book at times doesn't mean it wasn't good. For me personally, there were parts that were difficult to follow. I am sure readers who read a lot more classics than I do, and a lot more Austen, will feel differently.
I wouldn't recommend this if you're starting out with classics or are in danger of getting into a reading slump. It is quite slow and therefore I'd only recommend this book to people who have read classics and specifically Austen novels before, are definitely in the mood to read a classic, and people who are looking for a book to think about and analyse deeply. Persuasion is one of those novels that you can easily write essays about.
Favourite Character:
Anne Elliot. Anne was the life of this novel and was a very strong protagonist. She is smart and recognises the existence of a biased social structure and is kind as she sticks up for and is still friends with Mrs Smith even after she has become poor. She is quite a logical person as well, especially in difficult situations where other people aren't. She is the character that you'll root for during this novel more than anybody else. I constantly found myself being on her side and wanting the best for her.
Favourite Line:
"You have pierced my soul. I am half agony, half hope."
3.9 Stars
VAGUE SPOILERS AHEAD - Nothing major but if you want to go into this book blind then don't read this.
Persuasion was Jane Austen's last novel and was published after her death in 1817. Just like it has been stated in the title, this novel explores the theme of persuasion in society and how it effects the lives of young women and specifically the life of Anne Elliot, this novel's protagonist. It is set in the Regency period in England and follows the story of Anne's life when the love of her life from her past, Frederick Wentworth, re-enters her life eight years after she was persuaded to end their engagement. The overall theme of the novel is persuasion - but it also explores a variety of ideas such as social class and romance.
One thing that I really enjoyed about this novel was the relationship that has been built between Anne and Frederick. Them having a complex history raises the tension so much that it was sometimes difficult for me to put this book down. Something I really enjoy about this book is that it is more mature compared to Austen's other novels as we are shown how money warps these people's lives and bring them to ruin, as shown through the character of Mrs Smith. Despite this, the book was still very witty and entertaining in the way that only Austen can write. There is also something subtly tragic about this novel in the way that young women are supposed to act in society. The one thing that stood out to me the most was how the rest of Austen's novels are about young and first loves whereas Persuasion is about lost love. I think it subverts what is usually expected from Austen's novels in a way that really makes it stand out.
The only thing that lowers this rating for me is simply the language at times. There were so many passages in this book that I love and that are so well written, but a lot of the time (especially if you haven't read a lot of Austen) it can be difficult to try and figure out what exactly is going on. There were moments during reading this novel where I found myself opening SparkNotes to try and figure out what was happening. However, just because I struggled to get through this book at times doesn't mean it wasn't good. For me personally, there were parts that were difficult to follow. I am sure readers who read a lot more classics than I do, and a lot more Austen, will feel differently.
I wouldn't recommend this if you're starting out with classics or are in danger of getting into a reading slump. It is quite slow and therefore I'd only recommend this book to people who have read classics and specifically Austen novels before, are definitely in the mood to read a classic, and people who are looking for a book to think about and analyse deeply. Persuasion is one of those novels that you can easily write essays about.
Favourite Character:
Anne Elliot. Anne was the life of this novel and was a very strong protagonist. She is smart and recognises the existence of a biased social structure and is kind as she sticks up for and is still friends with Mrs Smith even after she has become poor. She is quite a logical person as well, especially in difficult situations where other people aren't. She is the character that you'll root for during this novel more than anybody else. I constantly found myself being on her side and wanting the best for her.
Favourite Line:
"You have pierced my soul. I am half agony, half hope."
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
tense
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:
N/A
All that was missing was a confrontation of SOME kind with Mr.Elliot.
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
if only jane austen could be alive to be persuaded to write a man for me