Austen: Persuasion

by Judy Simons

A study guide for the novel Persuasion.

Genres: Classics, Fiction, Romance, Historical, Historical Fiction, Literature, Classic Literature

96 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1987

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm adding some thoughts about books that are true treasures for me. This one is near the top. I don't know if this is underrated Jane Austen but if you aren't as familiar with this book as you are with Pride and Prejudice or Emma, I highly recommend giving it a try. If you've read it you already know what I mean. There is something about getting a second chance at a love you thought was lost to you that moves me to the core. These two characters are older, more experienced. They are no longer the people who fell in love all those years ago. But what they end up with is something deeper, stronger and, for the reader, infinitely more satisfying. I envy anyone who is reading this book for the first time. You have a real treat to savor.

[Katie Conner · Rating 3 out of 5]

like most jane austen books, you have to get past the sixth chapter to really begin to understand, like, and want to read more about the characters, but once the book takes off it is certainly worth finishing... the ending is wonderful!

[Janean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprisingly, my new second favorite Jane Austen. When you think Jane Austen, you think Pride & Prejudice, Emma, and Sense & Sensibility. So, I was thrilled to love it as much as I did. As always, Jane takes a few chapters to get into, but I really loved this story! The ending almost beats out Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy for me.

[Carrie Jensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite Jane Austen. The main characters have already done their growing up, unlike most other Austen books, so it's not about them figuring how out to behave. It's about how they behave in comparison with other people. What is really a gentleman? What is really a lady? Very sweet "revelation" scene too. Austen's best.

[Cidney · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favourite book is Pride and Prejudice, I read this at school and all the girls identified with Elizabeth Bennett! We did read a few more by Jane Austen but this paled in comparison
(we didn't cover Persuasion). So having downloaded this book onto my kindle sometime ago I decided now was the time to leave the crime books behind and read something else for a while!

I didn't particularly like the first few chapters, it seemed to drag along and wasn't holding my interest, but after the leap from the cob by the silly Louisa which left her damaged for months, the book began to pick up pace. In fact the more the story moved along the more I became interested! Anne Elliot was the middle daughter of widowed Sir Walter Elliot who had to rent out his very large estate because of his own mismanagement of his wealth. Her youngest rather silly sister, shades of Lydia Bennett here then, had married young and had two small out of control boys, and her eldest sister Elizabeth, a rather snooty young lady, was somewhat of a cold fish who managed her father's household.

Anne's mother had died when she was 14, and a family friend Lady Russell, had taken charge of Sir Walter's three daughters welfare. Anne had been very good friends with a Captain Wentworth who proposed marriage to her, but Lady Russell didn't think he was good enough so neither did Sir Walter. Some 8 yrs later she finds herself meeting up with him again. He was now cold towards her but she still felt some love for him.

The tale really moves along now and she is a really nice young woman who leaves men liking her in her wake, but the torch she carried for Capt Wentworth doesn't die. I won't go into all the other little details but suffice to say that the ending made me happy anyway!

[Adriana Hernández · Rating 3 out of 5]

Otra vez no encontré la edición que leí. Empiezo a creer que tal vez ¿sea la configuración del idioma?... Leí la edición deBolsillo, una hermosa portada color azul. Este es mi primer acercamiento con Austen, sinceramente me intimidaban un poco sus libros al ser gruesos y creí que sería más difícil por la época en la que se escribió pero resultó más sencillo de lo que pensé. Es interesante conocer la manera que vivíamos en otros tiempos, en otro país, con otras ideas y a pesar de eso logres empatizar en el amor frustrado que siente Anne... SPOILER: No me gustó que se quedará con el hombre, entiendo el mensaje final de no te dejes llevar por las apariencias pero merecías algo mejor, Anne, me conformo porque sé que ella fue feliz. No me logran cautivar al cien las historias románticas.

[Stacy-ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I could give it's 3.5 but since I have to choose 4 is good. The beginning was slow, giving the whole accounts of families and focusing too much on Sir Walter I think. Ann is a sweet protagonist though she suffers through a lot and it's maddening. But it makes her happy ending even sweeter I suppose. Wentworth has good points but is childish and spiteful. So I'm not impressed by him but Ann loves him. One of the few times I'm on the side of the woman in these things. I don't pity Wentworth but the pain of the loss of young love is compelling.

Also it was kind of anticlimactic, they're coming together. Less dramatic than Pride and Prejudice or Northanger Abbey. But it was still sweet. And that letter🥰🥰. Not my favorite but I enjoyed it.

[Sari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amé este libro. Jane Austen es la mejor para explicar sentimientos y situaciones. La historia te atrapa y te mantiene atento a todo lo que sucede hasta el final. Anne es un personaje tan delicado, uno conecta con sus emociones desde el primer momento. Empecé a leer a la escritora por Orgullo y Prejuicio, pero este libro también se lleva una parte de mi corazón.

[Allegra Goodman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahh, what a marvelous novel. Subtle, moving, and a tale of patience rewarded. In other Austen novels, the decisive action takes place when the heroine is about 17. Here, Austen explores the plot after the marriage plot. The fallout after a bad decision, and the possibilities that open up with maturity and reflection.

[Dougleisis Romero · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me gustó mucho este libro. Los primeros capítulos son un poco tedioso pero después se vuelve muy interesante y te atrapa de una manera como solo los libros de jane austen sabe hacer... reír, lloré y Hasta me moleste con este libro pero como con casi todo los libros de esta escritora me emocione con el final.

[Mia Pierre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Persuasion is a beautifully understated gem of a book. It's full of longing, second chances, and quiet strength. Jane Austen’s mature storytelling and rich characters make this one feel deeply personal and timeless.

Five stars because it’s a heartfelt, elegant read that stays with you long after the last page

[Paca · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favourite JA novel. Full of angst.

[Radwa · Rating 5 out of 5]

By far one of the most best books by Jane Austin. The complex emotions of heroin made her my favourite Jane Austin character.

[Reese Skowron · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite Jane Austen book and for good reason! The plot was captivating and it was relatively easy to keep up with! Good, quick read.

Edit: Its now been adapted for a movie which is cool

[Deirdre Macleod · Rating 4 out of 5]

A classic and I loved it but not one of my favourite of Austen's.

[Wendy Withers · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was not a great read - too confusing and long. I love Jane Austen, but not this book so much.

[Ram Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very great. I love it.

[Chela · Rating 2 out of 5]

Loved the movie versions of this book but I did not like reading it! Cant wait for the new movie coming out soon!

[Isidora Valverde Martínez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Es mucho más rápido que Sentimiento y sensatez pero menos rápido que Orgullo y prejuicio.
Me gusto muchísimo

[christine_f · Rating 5 out of 5]

it might not be everyone's favorite, but it's mine and im totally cool with that

[Yola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Remarkable characters. Anne Elliot is a woman of poise and control of emotions. And having Lady Russell acknowledge that her persuasions was mistaken, that’s a good point to end the story.

[Maggie Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is why i dont listen to my friends

[Agnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

All-time favourite, worth all the times I've re-read it.

[Maggie Hartmans · Rating 5 out of 5]

My personal favorite Jane Austen.

[NKatherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic Jane Austin. Nothing else needs to be said.

[Brittany Ludiker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is by far my favorite Austen book. Love it, makes me laugh, her wittiness is infectious in a time when women didn’t have a voice. Love the movies too

[Luxi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anne Elliot is the most mature Austen heroine, and the book is timeless.

[Rosie Johns · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anne… oh Anne… she did what I would’ve done and for that I can’t say another word.

[bels! · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, I found this book to be extremely boring with overly hateable characters. The protagonist, Anne Elliot, and her love-interest, Captain Wentworth, are one of the weakest couples Jane Austen has ever written, although his letter to her at the end makes their relationship seem sort of cute…