Persuasion (Tor Classics) by Jane Austen Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Persuasion (Tor Classics)
Book Review: Predicable but atleast its short.
Summary: 2 Stars
I have to admit that this was my first foray into Jane Austen's writing besides the onsluaght of films that are constantly being re-done and re-broadcast on the television.
I bought Persuasion because it was a story I hadn't heard before and so thought it would prove more interesting. This wasn't the case. The story follows Anne the middle sister from a middle class family. She is a perfectly pleasant, polite and self-less woman now in her late 20's. Personally I'm not enthrawled with a main character just being pleasant and nothing else ALL the time with EVERYONE on EVERY page. There was no excitement. Perhaps exciting events or people are not the point of reading Jane Austen, the characters and language are supposed to make up for this? For me they didn't.
If you know and like Jane Austen novels then you probably wont be disappointed. However I had to propose a different point of view to the other reviewers that are effusively praising this mild mannered read. I wasn't bored but I wasn't gripped either which for me isn't enough.
Book Review: pure austen classic
Summary: 5 Stars
This is my favourite of all of Austen's books and one of my all time favourite books ever. I have been reading Austen since i was about 13 and am now nearly 19 and love them all more now than i have before. I don't think any of the TV or film adaptations do this story justice, they are always really different to the actual storyline. I think this classic is highly under-rated and i think it would be brilliant if the BBC did an adaptation of this story the way they did for Pride and Prejudice years ago- they followed the book to the letter with that one. I can't rate this book enough. I think it has such a wide appeal. Even Wentworth Miller (star of Prison Break) is named after the lead character in this book! If you like classics and you like Jane Austen (especially romances) you will love this!Book Review: An autumnal romance
Summary: 5 Stars
Persuasion, Austen's final completed novel, is set in 1814, an interlude in the long Napoleonic wars. The men are home from the campaigns, with fortunes made and loves lost. It is a time for healing and renewal, while time allows. Austen herself was in deteriorating health and did not have long to live. For her characters too, there is a sense of time running out.
In fact, although it is completed, there are signs that Austen would have reworked or further developed some of it, had she lived. A major character (the one who did the initial persuading) is never fully realized, other characters are similarly neglected toward the end, and the novel is relatively short.
Persuasion does not have the depth of characterization of Pride and Prejudice, or quite the passion. It also lacks the cynical edge that is found in much of her work. The prose never reaches the sublime heights that she achieves elsewhere, but it is always very fine nonetheless. This makes for a slighter, more comfortable read, and a promise that, only love faithfully, and autumn must somehow pass into summer.
There are references in the novel which will be obscure to most of today's readers (for example, "the inimitable Miss Larolles") and an edition with notes would be a good idea, if you can find one. The Signet Classic edition has no notes, but has quite a good introduction by Margaret Drabble, although it summarizes the plot, so read it after the novel, not before.
Book Review: Love's Barriers Delightfully Probed in Polite Conversation
Summary: 5 Stars
Persuasion is Jane Austen's most sophisticated story and writing. She lovingly and incisively demonstrates the problems of being a well-bred sensitive person in a society that's more intrigued by social standing, money, and polite conversation than by good character.
Persuasion is Anne Elliot's story. The title's initial allusion is to Anne's brush with matrimony when a promising, but not rich, naval officer, Captain Wentworth, proposed and she fell in love with him at 19. But Anne's deceased mother's friend, Lady Russell, persuaded Anne not to make the match. Up until the time of the story, Anne hasn't had another suitor and she's now well past the usual age of marriage at 29 and "her bloom had vanish early." Her father's spendthrift ways mean that Anne could bring little money to a marriage so she's expecting not to marry.
While in her social class that lack of a husband is a drawback, in reality her family is a greater problem. Her father, Sir Walter Elliot, is a baronet who spends too much money, is obsessed by social rank, loves to be around the "beautiful people" and admire himself in a mirror, and keeps company with an unsuitable, scheming widow, Mrs. Clay, who is looking for a husband and has latched onto Elizabeth as friend. Anne's older sister, Elizabeth, is also unmarried and is as equally obsessed with social status as their father. Both Sir Walter and Elizabeth fail to value Anne and looked to her to suit their conveniences. The other daughter, Mary, is married but the connection doesn't thrill either Sir Walter or Elizabeth. Mary sees Anne as a virtual servant who should wait on her every beck and call when Anne is her guest.
Due to Sir Walter's over spending of his income, it is decided he will rent the family estate, Kellynch Hall, while he, Elizabeth, and Anne take up less expensive quarters and a reduced social life in Bath. This change sets lots of new events into motion, not the least of which is Anne being re-introduced to Captain Wentworth who now has a fortune and seems to be looking for a lively, young wife. Only their common commitment to being polite makes time in one another's company tolerable. What strong emotions burn under the surface? She's very embarrassed, but Captain Wentworth is hard to read.
In the course of the book, you'll find out a lot about social climbing in Regency England, the finances of the social elites and those who were up-and-coming, how marriage agreements were struck, and how the naval officers differed from the gentry. You'll also be impressed, I'm sure, by the patina of politeness that served as a social lubricant among people who often didn't care a trifle for one another.
In such a society, people mostly wore masks of being thoughtful, considerate people while in reality they were seldom thinking about very much and didn't care much for others. Anne Elliot is the exception in that her heart and mind are actually devoted to the service of others.
One of the most interesting parts of the story is how it was possible (mostly by accident) to sort out the phonies from among those with glittering manners.
Anne Elliot is one of the most memorable and admirable characters in English literature. Do read this book and find out about the other kinds of persuasion that took place during this year of her fictional life. You'll be delighted that you did.