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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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:
Complicated
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Oh man I loved it so muchhhh. The tension building and tenderness and ahhhh.
emotional
sad
medium-paced
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Wow I can’t believe Jane Austen invented yearning
Well written but not that interesting. Anne felt really underdeveloped and the romance came pretty late in the story. Some really great quotes but overall this was not a standout for me.
Reviewed for Books and livres
This won't be my favourite Austen novel, but I do understand why it's my coworker's favourite and it certainly moved way up in my favourites list. Again, it's a re-read for me, I'm re-reading a lot of classics these days and discovering others, and I must say I had completely forgotten what this book was about.
It's all about the influence that people can have over you : to what extent you should listen to their advice, to what extent you may take your own opinion first, how it can upset your life and those of others, the influence of appearances and of reason.
It's not as witty and sparkling as her other writings (oh, there are wit and sparks, let me reassure you, and social criticism, and the "poor Richard" made me laugh !), but it's more profound in a way that for the first time in reading Jane Austen, an author that I love, who is famous for having written love stories that probably had a huge influence on our contemporary historical romances, for the first time (well, except for Marianne, of course, but it wasn't really reciprocated), I truly felt the love between the characters and felt deeply moved. Maybe because there are more inner thoughts and that not unlike Jane Eyre, Anne feels a lot while she keeps it buried deep underneath the surface.
This novel could be compared to Mansfield Park with the quiet heroin, but I liked Anne Elliot a lot better ! And I really liked Frederick Wentworth too, it took courage to set aside the past and hope again for a future with someone who once rejected him. I felt more for them both than I felt for other Austen characters, maybe they were more mature, older ?... I intellectually enjoyed the others most, really liked them, but I love those more.
And now that I'm writing this review a couple of days after closing the book, I feel like raising my original 4.5 stars to 5. This book is growing on me and the next time I read it, it may well end nearer the top of my favourite list.
This won't be my favourite Austen novel, but I do understand why it's my coworker's favourite and it certainly moved way up in my favourites list. Again, it's a re-read for me, I'm re-reading a lot of classics these days and discovering others, and I must say I had completely forgotten what this book was about.
It's all about the influence that people can have over you : to what extent you should listen to their advice, to what extent you may take your own opinion first, how it can upset your life and those of others, the influence of appearances and of reason.
It's not as witty and sparkling as her other writings (oh, there are wit and sparks, let me reassure you, and social criticism, and the "poor Richard" made me laugh !), but it's more profound in a way that for the first time in reading Jane Austen, an author that I love, who is famous for having written love stories that probably had a huge influence on our contemporary historical romances, for the first time (well, except for Marianne, of course, but it wasn't really reciprocated), I truly felt the love between the characters and felt deeply moved. Maybe because there are more inner thoughts and that not unlike Jane Eyre, Anne feels a lot while she keeps it buried deep underneath the surface.
This novel could be compared to Mansfield Park with the quiet heroin, but I liked Anne Elliot a lot better ! And I really liked Frederick Wentworth too, it took courage to set aside the past and hope again for a future with someone who once rejected him. I felt more for them both than I felt for other Austen characters, maybe they were more mature, older ?... I intellectually enjoyed the others most, really liked them, but I love those more.
And now that I'm writing this review a couple of days after closing the book, I feel like raising my original 4.5 stars to 5. This book is growing on me and the next time I read it, it may well end nearer the top of my favourite list.
emotional
reflective
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:
Complicated
At first, I wasn’t impressed. Honestly, the first five chapters had me like, what the hell is going on? It felt so complicated, full of fancy words, and I didn’t know how to really get into it. The plot seemed straightforward, but the discourse, the way of writing, wasn’t straightforward at all. But then, something happened — I got used to Jane Austen’s rhythm. And once you do, it becomes enjoyable, even beautiful.
What stood out to me most is how much you literally feel Anne’s feelings. The plot itself is simple:Anne and Captain Wentworth were separated, years later they meet again, she almost goes another way, but finally, she realizes he loves her, and they end up together. That’s it. No big twists, nothing shocking. But the way it’s written makes it immersive. You don’t read Persuasion for surprises, you read it because it feels like life.
That’s the magic. It doesn’t feel like fiction or a movie with plot twists. It feels like a glimpse into a real love story, with all the quiet emotions, waiting, and tension that real life has. A day in the book feels like a day in your own life. Even when “nothing” is happening, it’s still interesting. That’s where Austen shines — she makes the quiet things feel alive.
I also loved how the writing felt dynamic. It didn’t feel like a perfectly structured novel. It felt more like Jane Austen herself telling a story she heard about — almost in an oral way, like she’s talking to you. One moment she gives you all these details about a conversation, and the next she’s like, “Oh, by the way, this happened in between.” It makes it feel fluid, natural, and not boring at all.
If I had one small wish, it’s that the ending gave us more about Anne and Wentworth after they marry. Just a little more, to really see them in their happiness. That’s why it’s not a full 5/5 for me. I’d say it’s a 4.75.
And here’s the thing: I’m not a romance reader. I usually don’t like romance books at all. But this one worked. This one felt like what romance should be — not overly dramatic or fake, but deeply emotional and human. It made me feel love, really feel it, which is rare for me in this genre.
So yeah, Persuasion surprised me. It’s not flashy, it’s not twisty, but it’s powerful. It’s quiet, emotional, and it stays with you.
What stood out to me most is how much you literally feel Anne’s feelings. The plot itself is simple:
That’s the magic. It doesn’t feel like fiction or a movie with plot twists. It feels like a glimpse into a real love story, with all the quiet emotions, waiting, and tension that real life has. A day in the book feels like a day in your own life. Even when “nothing” is happening, it’s still interesting. That’s where Austen shines — she makes the quiet things feel alive.
I also loved how the writing felt dynamic. It didn’t feel like a perfectly structured novel. It felt more like Jane Austen herself telling a story she heard about — almost in an oral way, like she’s talking to you. One moment she gives you all these details about a conversation, and the next she’s like, “Oh, by the way, this happened in between.” It makes it feel fluid, natural, and not boring at all.
If I had one small wish, it’s that the ending gave us more about
And here’s the thing: I’m not a romance reader. I usually don’t like romance books at all. But this one worked. This one felt like what romance should be — not overly dramatic or fake, but deeply emotional and human. It made me feel love, really feel it, which is rare for me in this genre.
So yeah, Persuasion surprised me. It’s not flashy, it’s not twisty, but it’s powerful. It’s quiet, emotional, and it stays with you.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes