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A review by laylalozada
Persuasion by Jane Austen
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book was absolute perfection. It took me almost 4 months to finish and 4 years before I read it (mainly because of now busy schedule and how I wanted to read Pride & Prejudice first), but reading every page of this masterpiece made my heart beat a little more tenderly and faster at the same time.
Persuasion is known to be Austen's last book, which was published posthumously. Even though, this book never got as much rave reviews like her books Sense & Sensibility and Pride & Prejudice, it has been one that has stood the test of time and can truly be considered as one of the greatest in the English language. It is still underappreciated though. Mainly because by the time Austen had died while the Victorian Era was onset.
Like most of Austen's many masterpieces, it begins with her painting a picture of all the main characters or the event and place in which they are placed. She started by describing our protagonist Anne's father, Sir Walter Elliot, who was a Baronetage peer. The family is depicted to vain and judgmental, except for Anne. It is shown that they are very unwelcoming towards those who do not have titles, and this is best demonstrated by their and Lady Russell's persuasion (haha get it?) of Anne to reject a proposal from a young naval officer named Frederick Wentworth, later on Captain, despite knowing how in love they were and since then Anne has not moved on or loved another. The series of events occur when the Elliot patriarch found out that they have been living beyond their means and now only had no other option but to rent out Kellynch Hall to a man known as Admiral Croft and his wife (who is Wentworth's sister), and to move to The Bath for a more economical living situation. These events lead to Anne meeting Captain Wentworth again after more than 8 years and her hope and determination to revive their relationship and these events lead Anne to reflect on the relationship.
In the end of the book though, despite Wentworth's anger and disappointment in Anne and those who persuaded her against him, he ends up confessing to her in a letter after Anne talked to Captain Harville about the feelings of men and women and their longevity. This lead Wentworth to realized that Anne may still have feelings for him (which she still did). In the letter, he confesses how he only went to The Bath for the sole purpose of seeing her. Though at first he came there to somewhat spite her, he realized that no one can ever match Anne and the love he had for solely her. Anne, of course, reciprocates these feelings and their engagement is announced in the last two chapters. Which led to the most loving and harmonious union between Anne Elliot and Frederick Wentworth.
The books has some plot twist that are great, but nothing can ever beat the sweetness of enduring love. Among all of Austen's couples, Anne and Frederick are the most mature. Their reconciliation comes from the fact that Captain Wentworth was willing to let go of her transgression and to accept that the love they had for each other could never be ended and that Anne was willing to learn that advice given to her most loved friend was not always right but luckily turned out for the best still. They are my favorite Austen couple mainly for the fact that they were willing to grow, but still have their love endure alongside. This book has been the greatest pleasure to read and I hope to read it again soon. I highly recommend reading this, if you appreciate rekindled romance, enduring love, and a little bittersweetness.
Persuasion is known to be Austen's last book, which was published posthumously. Even though, this book never got as much rave reviews like her books Sense & Sensibility and Pride & Prejudice, it has been one that has stood the test of time and can truly be considered as one of the greatest in the English language. It is still underappreciated though. Mainly because by the time Austen had died while the Victorian Era was onset.
Like most of Austen's many masterpieces, it begins with her painting a picture of all the main characters or the event and place in which they are placed. She started by describing our protagonist Anne's father, Sir Walter Elliot, who was a Baronetage peer. The family is depicted to vain and judgmental, except for Anne. It is shown that they are very unwelcoming towards those who do not have titles, and this is best demonstrated by their and Lady Russell's persuasion (haha get it?) of Anne to reject a proposal from a young naval officer named Frederick Wentworth, later on Captain, despite knowing how in love they were and since then Anne has not moved on or loved another. The series of events occur when the Elliot patriarch found out that they have been living beyond their means and now only had no other option but to rent out Kellynch Hall to a man known as Admiral Croft and his wife (who is Wentworth's sister), and to move to The Bath for a more economical living situation. These events lead to Anne meeting Captain Wentworth again after more than 8 years and her hope and determination to revive their relationship and these events lead Anne to reflect on the relationship.
In the end of the book though, despite Wentworth's anger and disappointment in Anne and those who persuaded her against him, he ends up confessing to her in a letter after Anne talked to Captain Harville about the feelings of men and women and their longevity. This lead Wentworth to realized that Anne may still have feelings for him (which she still did). In the letter, he confesses how he only went to The Bath for the sole purpose of seeing her. Though at first he came there to somewhat spite her, he realized that no one can ever match Anne and the love he had for solely her. Anne, of course, reciprocates these feelings and their engagement is announced in the last two chapters. Which led to the most loving and harmonious union between Anne Elliot and Frederick Wentworth.
The books has some plot twist that are great, but nothing can ever beat the sweetness of enduring love. Among all of Austen's couples, Anne and Frederick are the most mature. Their reconciliation comes from the fact that Captain Wentworth was willing to let go of her transgression and to accept that the love they had for each other could never be ended and that Anne was willing to learn that advice given to her most loved friend was not always right but luckily turned out for the best still. They are my favorite Austen couple mainly for the fact that they were willing to grow, but still have their love endure alongside. This book has been the greatest pleasure to read and I hope to read it again soon. I highly recommend reading this, if you appreciate rekindled romance, enduring love, and a little bittersweetness.