Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
I don't really remember my impressions on Pride and Prejudice (the only other Jane Austen book I've read until now)... All I really know is I found it a bit dull? Not that exciting even though it was good? I really liked the footnotes explaining the context, that's for sure, but it wasn't as memorable as I expected based on its popularity.
But here, with Persuasion... I felt so many big feelings. I was actually distressed by how Anne was treated by her family. By how much she gave up for them, to please them, when they didn't even deserve it. Even Lady Russell is too proud, valuing appearances and those stupid society rules more than her family and friends (obviously not as much as Elizabeth and Sir Walter, but she did, and it messed up Anne's life more than it seems at first).
The romance wasn't like, a big part of the story, I think. It wasn't overwhelming in the sense that it wasn't exactly the focus? But I enjoyed the read, it really tormented me lol It was light and deep at the same time, with a serious and calm tone that probably comes from Anne's personality, from the sadness she carried, the sort of disdain her family had for her, from how truly kind she was even to those who didn't deserve it. She gave up her own happiness for a family that was never really a family to her. They didn't even recognize the sacrifices she made for them. And even so, she was always kind and lovely and had this lightheartedness to her... She didn't hate, she didn't hold grudges.
Everyone who wasn't an Elliot appreciated her so much. Everyone else considered her important and a close friend so easily... I'm glad she is able to experience and enjoy this type of bond, and I'm happy that marrying Captain Wentworth allowed her to have a loud, happy, loving family. I was so sad when she says her only sadness in life is not being able to give back this love and consideration she received.
But here, with Persuasion... I felt so many big feelings. I was actually distressed by how Anne was treated by her family. By how much she gave up for them, to please them, when they didn't even deserve it. Even Lady Russell is too proud, valuing appearances and those stupid society rules more than her family and friends (obviously not as much as Elizabeth and Sir Walter, but she did, and it messed up Anne's life more than it seems at first).
The romance wasn't like, a big part of the story, I think. It wasn't overwhelming in the sense that it wasn't exactly the focus? But I enjoyed the read, it really tormented me lol It was light and deep at the same time, with a serious and calm tone that probably comes from Anne's personality, from the sadness she carried, the sort of disdain her family had for her, from how truly kind she was even to those who didn't deserve it. She gave up her own happiness for a family that was never really a family to her. They didn't even recognize the sacrifices she made for them. And even so, she was always kind and lovely and had this lightheartedness to her... She didn't hate, she didn't hold grudges.
Everyone who wasn't an Elliot appreciated her so much. Everyone else considered her important and a close friend so easily... I'm glad she is able to experience and enjoy this type of bond, and I'm happy that marrying Captain Wentworth allowed her to have a loud, happy, loving family. I was so sad when she says her only sadness in life is not being able to give back this love and consideration she received.
Even with the anguish I felt (especially in the begginig), and even if I got genuinelly depressed at certain parts, it was a calm experience with a nice flow. Anne's energy – calm, solemn, friendly, sympathetic, geunuine – exuded from the pages and, in the end, even though we don't get huge
startling plot twists, I couldn't put the book down. It flowed better than I thought it would, really, I read it pretty quickly without having it consume me completely. I read it on the bus, at work, in the afternoon at home... And when I finished it, I wanted to keep reading. I wanted another read that had the same vibe. However, I don't think there is anything like it. I think Persuasion and Anne Elliot (now Wentworth) are unique. Maybe not even Jane Austen could do this again.
startling plot twists, I couldn't put the book down. It flowed better than I thought it would, really, I read it pretty quickly without having it consume me completely. I read it on the bus, at work, in the afternoon at home... And when I finished it, I wanted to keep reading. I wanted another read that had the same vibe. However, I don't think there is anything like it. I think Persuasion and Anne Elliot (now Wentworth) are unique. Maybe not even Jane Austen could do this again.
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
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:
No
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-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
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I'm glad I read this book for a class, because otherwise I don't think I would have liked it as much as I did. Austen is a genius at social subtleties that I would have missed if I hadn't had a professor and other classmates to help me pick them up. All in all, this book is for people-watchers, as I think most of Austen's books probably are. She presents lots of different kinds of people, puts them together, and watches to see what happens. I'll need to read more of her work to become more attuned to picking up her satirical cuts.
I dislike this style and genre soo much. It's a predictable plot line, the characters are infuriating and I vow to never read another one, I don't care if my book club tries to guilt me.
Continuing my streak of Jane Austen as the first book of the year.
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No