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A review by stevo67
Persuasion by Jane Austen
5.0
A beautiful book. Heartbreakingly touching. Yes, there’s some of the frivolity and repartee seen in Emma but the tenderness is so much more evident, Austen grown-ups? The action really starts in third chapter, although the demolition of Sir Walter’s character and setting of the scene in chapters one and two are fun. By chapter three it becomes apparent Anne is to be the main character.
Anne Elliot is the second daughter of the vain Sir Walter Elliot of Kellynch Hall. Her mother has died and a friend of her mother’s, Lady Russell, has been her guide since. We learn that 8 years earlier Anne fell in love with a Captain Wentworth but was persuaded by Lady Russell to end it as he had little prospects to be attached to a daughter of a baronet.
Sir Walter is in debt and instead of cutting expenses agrees to rent out the Hall and move the family to a rented house in Bath. Anne is dismayed and having to move away but accepts it is her duty. It turns out Captain Wentworth’s sister (who is married to Admiral Croft) is to rent Kellynch Hall. She hears that Wentworth is back in the country and is now rich.
Anne stays on to be with her younger sister Mary and meets the Crofts. She finds them charming and welcoming. Captain Wentworth is there and Anne is formally courteous to him. On a walk Wentworth seems to be becoming close to Louisa, daughter of Mary’s neighbours the Musgroves. Anne overhears Louisa explaining that Anne rejected Charles Musgrove’s offer of engagement a few years ago.
It is clear Anne still has feelings for Wentworth and there then follows series of events where they gradually move closer into each other’s orbit. Most exciting of which is the visit of a group of them to Lyme Regis. During it Louisa, who was attaching herself to Captain Wentworth jumps off the Cobb into his arms but he drops her and suffers a concussion. He is mortified. Captain Benwick who lives nearby assists Louisa.
Anne offers to stay to look after Louisa but Mary insists she stays instead and Anne moves to Bath. There her cousin William Elliot (heir to Kellynch Hall as Sir Walter has no male heir) is attaching himself to her family. She does not initially trust him but he is politeness itself. He hints he is interested in her.
The Crofts arrive in Bath and report Louisa is much recovered. Anne has had word from Mary that Captain Benwick had been a constant companion of Louisa and they are now bethroved. Anne is relieved Wentworth is single again. She sees him in Bath. Various events pass where they are more cordial to each other. At this time Anne discovers an old teacher of hers is in Bath and she has much reduced means and a recounts why. William Elliot was her husband’s friend and advised them badly. Since her husband’s death he won’t help her even though he is executor. Seeing William Elliot has not reformed she means to let her family know. At a visit to the Crofts in Bath she sees Wentworth and is called over by his friend while Wentworth writes a letter. They are writing to Captain Benwick. Anne speaks of how women are more constant than men. Wentworth leaves soon after then returns pointing out a letter for Anne before leaving again. In it he speaks of his constant love for her. And if she were only to give him a signal they could be reunited. Walking home some time later they meet and are reunited.
She persuades Lady Russell that Wentworth is now a suitable match and they are married. William Elliot leaves on hearing of the engagement and Mrs Clay, the frivolous young friend of Elizabeth, goes with him.
I suppose the moral of the book might be that love will find a way. (Provided of course there’s a fortune too?)
Anne Elliot is the second daughter of the vain Sir Walter Elliot of Kellynch Hall. Her mother has died and a friend of her mother’s, Lady Russell, has been her guide since. We learn that 8 years earlier Anne fell in love with a Captain Wentworth but was persuaded by Lady Russell to end it as he had little prospects to be attached to a daughter of a baronet.
Sir Walter is in debt and instead of cutting expenses agrees to rent out the Hall and move the family to a rented house in Bath. Anne is dismayed and having to move away but accepts it is her duty. It turns out Captain Wentworth’s sister (who is married to Admiral Croft) is to rent Kellynch Hall. She hears that Wentworth is back in the country and is now rich.
Anne stays on to be with her younger sister Mary and meets the Crofts. She finds them charming and welcoming. Captain Wentworth is there and Anne is formally courteous to him. On a walk Wentworth seems to be becoming close to Louisa, daughter of Mary’s neighbours the Musgroves. Anne overhears Louisa explaining that Anne rejected Charles Musgrove’s offer of engagement a few years ago.
It is clear Anne still has feelings for Wentworth and there then follows series of events where they gradually move closer into each other’s orbit. Most exciting of which is the visit of a group of them to Lyme Regis. During it Louisa, who was attaching herself to Captain Wentworth jumps off the Cobb into his arms but he drops her and suffers a concussion. He is mortified. Captain Benwick who lives nearby assists Louisa.
Anne offers to stay to look after Louisa but Mary insists she stays instead and Anne moves to Bath. There her cousin William Elliot (heir to Kellynch Hall as Sir Walter has no male heir) is attaching himself to her family. She does not initially trust him but he is politeness itself. He hints he is interested in her.
The Crofts arrive in Bath and report Louisa is much recovered. Anne has had word from Mary that Captain Benwick had been a constant companion of Louisa and they are now bethroved. Anne is relieved Wentworth is single again. She sees him in Bath. Various events pass where they are more cordial to each other. At this time Anne discovers an old teacher of hers is in Bath and she has much reduced means and a recounts why. William Elliot was her husband’s friend and advised them badly. Since her husband’s death he won’t help her even though he is executor. Seeing William Elliot has not reformed she means to let her family know. At a visit to the Crofts in Bath she sees Wentworth and is called over by his friend while Wentworth writes a letter. They are writing to Captain Benwick. Anne speaks of how women are more constant than men. Wentworth leaves soon after then returns pointing out a letter for Anne before leaving again. In it he speaks of his constant love for her. And if she were only to give him a signal they could be reunited. Walking home some time later they meet and are reunited.
She persuades Lady Russell that Wentworth is now a suitable match and they are married. William Elliot leaves on hearing of the engagement and Mrs Clay, the frivolous young friend of Elizabeth, goes with him.
I suppose the moral of the book might be that love will find a way. (Provided of course there’s a fortune too?)