Persuasion by Jane Austen

Persuasion is a delightful timeless classic that beautifully explores themes of love, regret, patience, and self-awareness.

Publication Date : Jul 2024 (First Published December 20, 1817)

Publisher : Penguin

Edition : Select Classic, Unabridged Classic, Hardbound Collector’s Edition

Read Date : December 24, 2024

Genre : Fiction / Classic

Pages : 224

Source : Many thanks to the publisher for sending this beautiful edition, complete with gorgeous endpapers and stunning sprayed edges.

Synopsis

“You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope… I have loved none but you.”

The power of sincere love often brings miraculous second chances.

Anne Elliot, a thoughtful and introspective woman initially rejects the marriage proposal of Captain Frederick Wentworth eight years earlier. Anne, secretly harbouring affection for Frederick, regrets this decision taken under the influence of her family.

One fine day Frederick re-enters Anne’s life as a successful naval officer, now she grapples again with her desires and the opinions of others.

Captain Frederick Wentworth an honourable man, has hopeful and lingering affection for Anne, but won’t persuade her with tricks but only his character.

Will the power of Frederick’s love and sincerity win? Will Anne be able to look past society’s expectations and follow her heart?

Review

Reading Persuasion was a markedly different experience compared to modern romances, where snappy banter, pop culture references, and the quick wit of characters make the pages fly by without pause. Classics, however, demand a slower pace. I found myself pausing often, rereading passages filled with archaic vocabulary, long descriptions, and dense paragraphs. Yet, this deliberate pacing illuminated why people return to classics time and again—they offer fresh insights, uncover hidden layers of meaning, and transport readers to an era preserved in the pages of history.

Although Persuasion is categorized as a romance, I found it leaned more toward women’s fiction or even contemporary fiction, as the romance doesn’t take center stage until very late in the book. Much of the story revolves around Anne Elliot’s observations—of her vain father, her equally vain elder sister Elizabeth, and her time spent with her younger sister Mary’s extended family- the Musgroves- with whom Anne feels a closer bond.

The plot largely focuses on Anne’s stay at Uppercross, where she reunites with her former love, Captain Frederick Wentworth. Years ago, Anne was persuaded by her family and friends to reject Frederick due to his lack of fortune and status. Now, he returns as a wealthy and respected man, only to court Mary’s two sister-in-law out of anger and spite.

While Frederick’s behavior often wounds Anne, her response is measured, sensible, and mature. Observing his pursuits of Henrietta and Louisa, Anne reflects on the consequences of their past, freeing herself from old pain, guilt, and regret. She comes to appreciate the wisdom of her earlier decision, recognizing the potential challenges of a youthful engagement to a man with no means or stable occupation.

I loved how she could also see how his action could harm both girls but fate was with them as one unfortunate incident at Lyme that changed heart of all party involved. Despite this growth, it was frustrating to see how long it took Frederick to finally pursue Anne again.

Anne entirely steals the show with her depth and grace. However, I wish there had been more exploration of Captain Wentworth’s character and additional conversations between them to better showcase why Anne fell for him in the first place.

The secondary characters were just as compelling. I disliked Mary’s attention-seeking habits and loathed Anne’s father and Elizabeth for their lifelong dismissal of Anne simply because she lacked their beauty and charm.

In contrast, the Musgroves provided Anne with warmth and acceptance, filling the familial void left by her own relatives. Their lively household, full of humor and occasional squabbles, was a delight to read about, especially Mary and her in-law’s complaints to Anne.

The addition of Mr. William Elliot, Anne’s father’s heir, added intrigue. Initially estranged from the family, he reappears when Anne moves to Bath and begins to show interest in her, creating tension. There was air of suspicion around him and his pursuit for Anne made it even more interesting to see what will happen next and if Fredrick would be too late in seeking Anne once again.

The revelations about William Elliot, brought to light by Mrs. Smith, were shocking. While it averted greater trouble, I was disappointed that Anne chose not to disclose his true nature to her family and friends.

Some may criticize my opinion regarding the lack of a strong plot except of William Elliot but that too came in second half. I feel much of the narrative is rooted in family drama. However, the story’s exploration of societal status, vanity, class differences, and the lengths people go to preserve their social standing added depth.

What resonated most with me was Anne’s growth. Her quiet introspection left a profound impact, not just on the characters around her, but also on me as a reader. Her conversations with secondary characters, particularly with Mrs. Smith and Captain Harville, were standout moments. The long-awaited dialogue between Anne and Frederick was equally rewarding, offering a satisfying conclusion to their journey.

Overall, Persuasion is a delightful timeless classic that beautifully explores themes of love, regret, patience, and self-awareness. I look forward to revisiting this novel after delving into more of Austen’s works to see how my perspective deepens and evolves.