A review by bestevening
Persuasion by Jane Austen

emotional inspiring lighthearted reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

4.5⭐
“Now they were as strangers; worse than strangers, for they could never become acquainted.” 

Ate it up! Jane Austen was an incredible writer. This is not just a love story but also the story of a "nobody" in a "prominent" family, and I enjoyed every bit of it. Anne Elliot is an excellent protagonist, and Captain Wentworth? Swoon! That letter??? He ate it, I fear. I must admit, though—some of the things he says give me the ick, but I gave him the benefit of the doubt since he's just bitter, lmao.  Another character I loved is Lady Russell—Anne is lucky to have someone like her. I actually agreed with her initial opinion about Captain Wentworth and Anne, so I’ve got to give it to her. 

As for the plot, I love the slow burn, but I feel like something was missing in the climax. I wish the interaction between Captain Wentworth and Anne after the letter had been longer. I needed more.

Lastly, I want to give Jane Austen major props for these lines: 

“I do not think I ever opened a book in my life which had not something to say upon woman's inconstancy. Songs and proverbs, all talk of woman's fickleness. But perhaps you will say, these were all written by men."

"Perhaps I shall. Yes, yes, if you please, no reference to examples in books. Men have had every advantage of us in telling their own story. Education has been theirs in so much higher a degree; the pen has been in their hands. I will not allow books to prove anything.”

Saying this in 1817? A baddie.