“I will not allow books to prove any thing.”
“But how shall we prove any thing.”
“We never shall.”
Hello, darlings! I finished Persuasion last week, and I'm in love, like with any other Jane's book. She not only wrote beautiful stories that heavily influenced the ones that came after, with strong and compelling female characters, romance, and a lot of misunderstandings. But what makes me love her the most is the way she makes irony of the society of the time.
I think there are two ways to read her novels: one with a light eye that only concerns whether the two main characters will get together in the end, and one with more profound thought, trying to go back to the early nineteen-century mindset and noticing how much fun she had while writing those irreverent passages, imagining the reaction of an average upper-class woman (or even man) reading them and letting out a quiet chuckle. Now, you will probably argue that the latter is the only way to read her works, but I know some people in the first category and I don't mind cause they enjoy it that way, I only think they're missing half the fun.
The heroine in Persuasion is Anne Elliot, a twenty-seven-year-old woman who's never taken into consideration by his father and older sister. When the family, on the brink of financial ruin, is forced to move to Bath and rent their estate, Anne is left behind to spend a few months with her younger sister and her husband. However, before leaving her childhood home, Anne discovers that Captain Wentworth, the man she had been engaged to eight years before, is related to the new tenants of Kellynch Hall. This sets the scene for many encounters between the two and Anne has to face the feelings she concealed for so long.
I think there's so much more to this book than what a quick synopsis could evoke. It's a story about growth and being able to raise your head, against even your friends, when it comes to what matters to you the most.
This may be my second favourite Jane novel after Pride and Prejudice, and I can't be sure whether I prefer the latter for its plot and characters or merely because I read it when I was twelve and I grew fond of it as with an old friend. As it's widely stated, Persuasion is more mature in many aspects, being Jane's last written novel. This shows mainly through the choice of themes, her writing style, and the noteworthy character of Anne.
I have to admit that at a certain point, towards the end of the book, I got a bit annoyed by the repetition of characters set, which is very similar to Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility. Anyway, the feeling didn't last long, for what happened next brought immense joy to both my heart and mind and Jane's ability in writing masterly and heartfelt letters never leaves me disappointed.
I think there are two ways to read her novels: one with a light eye that only concerns whether the two main characters will get together in the end, and one with more profound thought, trying to go back to the early nineteen-century mindset and noticing how much fun she had while writing those irreverent passages, imagining the reaction of an average upper-class woman (or even man) reading them and letting out a quiet chuckle. Now, you will probably argue that the latter is the only way to read her works, but I know some people in the first category and I don't mind cause they enjoy it that way, I only think they're missing half the fun.
“She prized the frank, the open-hearted, the eager character beyond all others. Warmth and enthusiasm did captivate her still. She felt that she could so much more depend upon the sincerity of those who sometimes looked or said a careless or a hasty thing, than of those whose presence of mind never varied, whose tongue never slipped.”
The heroine in Persuasion is Anne Elliot, a twenty-seven-year-old woman who's never taken into consideration by his father and older sister. When the family, on the brink of financial ruin, is forced to move to Bath and rent their estate, Anne is left behind to spend a few months with her younger sister and her husband. However, before leaving her childhood home, Anne discovers that Captain Wentworth, the man she had been engaged to eight years before, is related to the new tenants of Kellynch Hall. This sets the scene for many encounters between the two and Anne has to face the feelings she concealed for so long.
“She had been forced into prudence in her youth, she learned romance as she grew older: the natural sequel of an unnatural beginning.”
I think there's so much more to this book than what a quick synopsis could evoke. It's a story about growth and being able to raise your head, against even your friends, when it comes to what matters to you the most.
“I hate to hear you talk about all women as if they were fine ladies instead of rational creatures. We none of us want to be in calm waters all our lives.”
This may be my second favourite Jane novel after Pride and Prejudice, and I can't be sure whether I prefer the latter for its plot and characters or merely because I read it when I was twelve and I grew fond of it as with an old friend. As it's widely stated, Persuasion is more mature in many aspects, being Jane's last written novel. This shows mainly through the choice of themes, her writing style, and the noteworthy character of Anne.
“Let us never underestimate the power of a well-written letter.”
I have to admit that at a certain point, towards the end of the book, I got a bit annoyed by the repetition of characters set, which is very similar to Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility. Anyway, the feeling didn't last long, for what happened next brought immense joy to both my heart and mind and Jane's ability in writing masterly and heartfelt letters never leaves me disappointed.
“They went to the sands, to watch the flowing of the tide, which a fine south-easterly breeze was bringing in all the grandeur which so flat a shore admitted. They praised the morning; gloried in the sea; sympathised in the delight of the fresh-feeling breeze- and were silent...”
I wish this review inspired you to put Persuasion in your TBR, and if you've already read it and are considering rereading it, I think autumn is the best time of year to do so. Tell me in the comments which is your favourite Jane Austen novel and why, I would love to hear your point of view.
With so much love,
With so much love,
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