Persuasion

This is the last Jane Austen novel I’ve read for the first time and that makes me a little sad, knowing there are no new works of hers left for me to discover. As always, it was a delight and fit perfectly with the feeling of spring. That said, I would actually recommend reading this book in summer; ideally at the beach.

Plot

The heroine, Anne Elliot, is in danger of becoming a spinster. At that time, it was unusual for a woman to remain unmarried at the age of 27. Marriage was necessary to ensure financial security, as women had very few rights back then.

Anne is neither unattractive nor uneducated, and she also comes from a noble family – yet things simply haven’t worked out for her. She once rejected her youthful love, the penniless Frederick Wentworth, on the advice of her close family friend Lady Russell. However, she has never truly forgotten him, and of course, they meet again: ten years after their broken engagement.

It is a slow-burn story filled with wise and mature reflections from an intelligent protagonist. Anne has great self-control and manages to keep a cool head even in difficult situations. As a result, she is highly respected and often sought out for advice.

Shortly after a friend suffers an accident, Anne unexpectedly meets her cousin, Mr. William Elliot. Disgusting, but not unusual for the time: he would also be considered a suitable match for marriage. But what lies behind his impeccable and polite behavior? Will she choose him, or the now-promoted Captain Wentworth?

What did Persuasion make me feel?

As always, I was deeply impressed and very glad that I read this book only recently and not in my early twenties or earlier. Back then, I probably wouldn’t have understood it and might even have found it boring.

I especially appreciated how composed and controlled Anne Elliot is when dealing with her emotions, always acting with quiet wisdom. She is not an extroverted person who offers unsolicited advice, but rather a calm and determined character whom others naturally turn to for guidance. That impressed me a lot, as I wouldn’t trust myself to give such thoughtful advice.

I found myself fully invested in this slow-burn romance and felt deeply connected to the protagonist. The book strengthened my belief that the right person will come along at the right time and that if it doesn’t work out the first time, there may still be a second chance.

Rating

🪦🪦🪦🪦🪦 A beautiful, quiet, yet powerful story.

Like Jane Austen’s other works, this book was a complete pleasure for me. I read it at just the right time in my life, at the right age to truly appreciate it. It is full of emotional intelligence. Especially in these unsettled times, I really valued its gentle, uplifting, and unhurried tone.

Who would I gift this book to?

Anyone over the age of 25 who wants to see how beautiful it can be to approach your thirties. I can imagine that younger, patient readers might also enjoy this book, but I see the main audience more among slightly older readers.

I would also recommend it to anyone who needs a bit of comfort, or is perhaps going through heartbreak, as a reminder that the right person will come along when the time is right.

What other books would I recommend?

Of course, I recommend all of Jane Austen’s works. She is a master of dialogue and subtle humor. Especially in times like these, her books offer a wonderful escape. They also bring a sense of hope, as her protagonists manage to overcome personal struggles with the limited means available to them without ever losing courage.

Further links

To create the perfect reading atmosphere, I’ve linked some seaside sounds with seagulls. It may be a Bulgarian beach, but it’s quite similar to how I imagined the shore at Lyme:

As always, I’d love to hear what you, dear readers of my blog, think about Jane Austen—and which of her books is your favorite.