Persuasion

Rating:
Summary: Jane Austen's Best Work
Review: I've read all of Jane Austen's novels and I am most taken with this one. All of her books are detailed, profound, and well-written; but I am completely drawn to this set of characters and their plights. I also love the charm of this work. One of my favorite parts is very small - Captain Benwick winning over Louisa's skeptical family with his rat-whacking capabilities, since he is somewhat softspoken and not a farming/hunting type. I also love the depth of Mrs. Smith's story, as we learn of her life. The extent of how her circumstances tie in with Anne's situation is important, and it is nice to know that Captain Wentworth is again a hero in assisting Mrs. Smith to a happy ending. This is something they were not able to include in my favorite Jane Austen film, the Amanda Root version of Persuasion. Lady Russel's character is also wonderful. I found her to be much more caring and sympathetic in the book than she was portrayed in the Amanda Root film version, still meddlesome but more well-meaning. I also love the main story and characters of this book, but the addition of the other, smaller events makes this truly an outstanding classic.

Rating:
Summary: One of Jane Austen's best
Review: You know it's very difficult to choose which of Jane Austen's books it the greatest but I can say that this is one I re-read every couple of years. This, the last of Miss Austen's fabulous set of novels, is of the woman who was forced to give up her love and then never loved another. The heroine is more mature than those of her others books, not quite so insentive to others, nor as judgemental. Maybe the most exasperating aspect of this book is that you can see that once reunited, the two still love each other, but obey those deeply instilled lessons in behavior to the point that I find myself almost saying 'for goodness sake, just tell him you love him still'! But that wouldn't be a Jane Austen novel, for you'ld miss the ongoing narrative of families who behave even as families do today, and all of the love knots would not be tied only as neatly as this queen of the early novel could do. Oh, if only she had lived longer, but at least we still, almost 200 years later still have her masterpieces to read over and over!

Rating:
Summary: 'I am half agony, half hope'
Review: The magic and sheer excellence of 'Persuasion' lies in the personalities of the various
characters: Anne Elliot, the heroine of the book, is quiet, caring and proper but beneath
that surface of hers, she's a woman who has loved and lost. Her father, Sir Walter Elliot,
and her sister, Elizabeth are like mirror images of each other, both are shallow, self-proclaimed
snobs and conceited. Captain Frederick Wentworth, Anne's love from her past, is just excellent!
He's the male image of Regency cool: tall, handsome, a man of hard work and lady-killer.

As a novel, 'Persuasion' is a thoughtful insight into the women left behind because of
bad choices, yet it is never self-pitying. I couldn't understand why while I was reading the book
and at the end, I saw what Austen was trying to show.
That is the wicked factor of 'Persuasion', Austen allows you to either
be persuaded or dissuaded.

As a social commentary, it is subtle in how it mocks certain
aspects of society such as the 'dandies' of Regency England, the men who indulged in vanity,
personified by Sir Walter Elliot. Yet, the books acts as a platform for the debate of marriage
begs the question, is marrying outside your station suicidal?

One critic said that 'Persuasion' was like a Regency version of the Cinderella tale: Anne Elliot
is Cinderella, Cpt. Frederick Wentworth her Prince Charming and Lady Russell as the
Wicked Stepmother. This is a blatant over-simplification! Persuasion is at first sight a
beautifully crafted and touching romance but is also a book of many layers.

Last Thought: Enough to convert an Austen cynic into an Austenian.

Rating:
Summary: A Lovely, Lovely Book
Review: I love all Jane Austen's books, but this is my personal favorite. The way the characters interact is very humerous, but the story is touching. I feel more of a connection to Anne than to any of Austen's other characters, and I love the way she and Wentworth fall in love... again.

Rating:
Summary: I Persuade You to Read this Book!
Review: The novel Persuasion by Jane Austen is very good. Although slow at places, it definatly redeems itself throughout the novel. The protagonist, Anne, is in love with a man, but is persuaded out of love because of his social status. The book is a classic romatice novel, but is not cheesy to say the least. I encourage everyone who enjoys a good novel to read this book, but especially females. This book is centered around the social status and appearance of the people in the early 1800's. The way Anne doesn't care, makes her differant than the rest of the characters, but also helps the reader consider thinking for themselves instead of being persuaded by other people's thoughts. By the end of the novel, the reader has the decision whether persuasion is good or bad. I really enjoyed the novel. The reader just needs to be able to make it through the first couple of chapters, then the book is really enjoyable.

Rating:
Summary: Her greatest work
Review: Not all readers are captivated by this quiet, sad, reflective work. But it is also very joyful. It is Jane Austen toward the end of her life reflecting once again on love, companionship and the eternal knot of family, class and society. Anne Elliot is one of the truly abiding heroines of the modern novel: gentle ,wise, politic and balanced. She is a young, beautiful woman thwarted in an early love by societal and family interests. But it is a joy to see her rise again by the recognition of others seeing these same virtues. This is very different novel than Pride and Prejudice but if you don't think it as great a novel meditate again on its resonant power.