Well I finally did it after all these years - I read my first Jane Austen book! And it really wasn’t all that painful of an experience. I actually enjoyed it. Persuasion was Jane Austen’s final novel and from what I gather, it’s not her most popular work, but it was one that I can see as being important during it’s time….and very entertaining. I chose to read it simply because it was one of Austen’s works that I hadn’t seen a film version of. I hate reading a book when I’ve already seen a movie version and know the basic plot. Now I can’t wait to watch the older BBC version of Persuasion as I love their Austen films.
I’m not going to go to deep into the plot of Persuasion (if you want a good synopsis/more thoughts you can read this wonderful review of Eva’s or this excellent review of Bookfool’s) but the book centers on a young lady named Anne Elliot who was in love with Frederick Wentworth but then persuaded out of that love by a family friend, Lady Russell. Eight years later, she wants to rekindle that love. There’s lots more involved with other family members and houses being rented out, etc. but Anne’s story is what kept me reading.
This is a book about learning to follow one’s heart and being true to yourself. The word “persuasion” is used repeatedly in the book as nearly all of the characters are persuaded by some outside force to do something that does not benefit them. Austen shows us that true happiness is achieved by being independent, breaking away from societies persuasions…certainly something that still carries meaning today.
I’ll definitely be reading more Austen. I wouldn’t say that she’s become one of my favorite authors after reading this, but I enjoyed it enough. I have Northanger Abbey sitting on my shelf and I’ll most likely pull that one out around RIP III time as I’ve heard it has a more gothic feel to it. Sorry for the short review, tired here :p
Filed under: book review, classics, literature | Tagged: book review, classics, jane austen, persuasion
I just seem to missing the Austen gene
really glad you enjoyed it chris!
and looking forward to hearing what you think of “northanger abbey”. i didn’t know it had a gothic feel to it.
as i said, i enjoyed “pride and prejudice” and even though i liked it a lot, for some reason i can’t see myself reading another austen for some time still. but if there’s a gothic element to “northanger”… well, that changes things!!
I haven’t read any Austin, but I keep feeling I need to start. Would this be a good one to start with?
I’m glad you enjoyed it Chris. I think it has its own following–the book does I mean.
I know you’re not planning on reading Northanger Abbey for awhile (months and months and months). But *try* to remember that when you do get to it–after you get to it–you should make a point of watching the new version of it. (2007) It was fabulous. Really really fabulous. The gothic elements definitely come to life on film better than I ever could have imagined them in my own head. (I guess that would depend on your imagination.)
I’ve just started the 13th Reality by James Dashner and am loving it.
Like I said, this is the only Austen I’ve read, but I really really liked it!! I’m glad you did too!
You’re making me really excited to start “Pride and Prejudice”! I must be the only person on earth who has managed not to see any of the countless movie versions, so the story will be somewhat of a surprise for me. I mean, I am of course familiar with the names Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, but that’s pretty much it. I think this is one of those cases in which ignorance is a good thing
hmmm does it mean I have to read Jane Austen after all?hmmm…I suppose one day, maybe she’s not that bad!!:P
hmm doesn it mean I have to read Austen after all? hmm maybe she’s not that bad??
oooops sorry double comment….
that’s great that you enjoyed this book. there are just some things I’d rather see the movies instead of reading.. sci fi is one and anything that’s a “period piece” I love to see in the movies. To be able to see the costumes and castles and such… yep…I’d rather see them…
but very glad you had such a good reading experience!!
Debi, She’s certainly not for everyone. I don’t think I’ll read everything of hers and it’s not my favorite type of literature, but I’ll definitely read Northanger Abbey. Don’t think I have the Austen gene either, but I enjoyed it!
JP, I didn’t know that Northanger Abbey had a gothic feel to it either until a few people read it for the RIP challenge. In fact, that’s what made me decide to give Austen a try! I’m looking forward to that one. I love the old gothic classics.
Jeane, I haven’t read any other Austen, so I’m not much of a reliable source, but I started with this one and enjoyed it, so I say yes! It’s a good one to start with. Quite a few people commented in my last post that it was their favorite, so give it a try
I think you’d enjoy it.
Becky, I can see how this one would have it’s own following. It’s a great book with some great dynamics in it. Glad to know that the new version of Northanger Abbey was better than some of the other new Austen’s. Sounds like it was really good! I’ll definitely check it out. I saw that B&N has it on sale this week on DVD. I love a good gothic movie or book. I can’t wait to read the 13th Reality. I’ve been hearing great things about it and it sounds like something I’d really enjoy!
Steph, Great minds think alike, huh?
I enjoyed this one too! I hope I enjoy Northanger Abbey as much
Nymeth, I haven’t read the book of course, but I love the movie version with Colin Firth of Pride and Prejudice! You’re in for a treat if the book is as good and you have to watch the mini-series when you’re done. I think you’ll really enjoy it. They had an Bollywood spin off version of it called Bride and Prejudice done by Gurinda Chatta (Bend it like Beckham) that was awesome too. I think you’d like that one too.
Valentina, Nah, she’s not all that bad
I had that same misconception before. I had totally assumed that she would not be in my taste at all, but I was wrong…I enjoyed this one. And no prob about the double comment 
Deslily, I’m usually the same way with period piece novels, but I decided to test my limits with this one. It was a little awkward to get into at first, but once I got into the dynamics of the relationships I couldn’t put it down. You end up picturing all the costumes and carriages and houses in your head and it works just the same. I enjoyed it!
Yay! And I totally agree w/ your previous post-daylight savings sucks. Big time. Maybe next fall back, I’ll have to do a post telling the story of the Worst Daylight Savings Experience ever. lol
Eva, aw come one! We’re going to have to wait all the way until fall back for that story! Although I’m sure it’s not on your top priorities to tell the story of your worst daylight savings time ever :p
by the way, i’ve started reading that interview of yours a few times, but damn you, its so thorough, that i haven’t got through it all. but i just wanted to say that i think its very cool that you’re doing all this stuff!
soon you’ll have your own website (alongside stuffasdreamsaremadeon) in which you’ll review books and interview authors. i can see it now!
seriously, i can see it.
Hi again, I’ve tagged your for a meme.
JP, Glad you’re enjoying the interview
I thought it was a fun one. He’s a really nice guy. More than happy to answer the questions and he had a great sense of humor. And I’m not doing any more websites! This is it…if there are any reviews and interviews, they go here 
Jeane, Meme time! I have so many meme’s I’m supposed to do :p I need to just do a meme post! I’ll go check it out now!
Ohh, good idea about adding Northanger Abbey for the RIP challenge - I’ve already begun to think about which books to read and that one might be a good addition.
Stephanie, You’re thinking about RIP already?! That’s not til October! You’re a great planner
Well, look at me…I’m obviously thinking of it too, huh? I’m looking forward to reading that one!
I’m glad you liked this one. I have only read Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility, but I really enjoy both.
Austen’s writing is kind of sedate, and not a lot happens for long periods of time. But I still think she is an excellent writer. She has silly characters, nice characters, mean characters, disinterested characters… I think what makes her writing good is you remember the characters that populate her books.
Kim, Same way I felt…not a lot happening for a long period of time, but the last 100 pages or so of this one really had me hooked. It seems like she spent so much time setting up her relationships and building her characters before she started complicating things. For me, it got interesting when it got complicated
Northanger Abbey is one of Jane Austen’s more playful novels, along with Pride and Prejudice. I’ve read them all multiple times. I’ll be checking back to see what you think.
Tia, Thanks for stopping by! Great to hear about Northanger Abbey. Always a good sign when someone’s read them multiple times!
Glad you enjoyed Persuasion. It’s my second favourite Jane Austen novel. I am a really surprised that you found yourself so involved with Anne’s story; girls like Anne are often overlooked by men-even men who read Jane Austen. Give Northanger Abbey a go the try Mansfield Park and write about what you think of fanny Price and Mary Crawford.
Cassia
Cassia, Really? I can’t see how you could overlook Anne in Persuasion…she’s such a strong character and to me, at least, she was the focal point of the novel. Will certainly let you know what I think of Ms. Austen’s other heroines!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it. It’s one of my all-time favourite books. I look forward to your reading of Northanger Abbey, which is more fun - you’ll see why, the gothic elements do make it funnier in a sweet way.