Captain Wentworth's Diary

Jane Austen Heroes #3

by Amanda Grange

Amanda Grange continues her series of much-loved Jane Austen retellings with "Captain Wentworth's Diary". It is 1806, and the Napoleonic wars are ravaging Europe. Frederick Wentworth, a brilliant young man with a flourishing career in the navy, is spending his shore leave in Somerset, where he meets and falls in love with Anne Elliot. The two become engaged, but Anne's godmother persuades Anne to change her mind, leaving Wentworth to go back to sea a bitter and disappointed man. Eight years pass, and peace is declared. Wentworth is no longer a young man with his way to make in the world, but a seasoned captain with a fortune at his disposal. He is ready to marry anyone with a little beauty who pays a few compliments to the navy - or so he says - until he sees Anne. Anne's bloom has faded, yet she has the same sensibilities and superior mind she had eight years earlier, and before he knows it, he is falling in love with her all over again. Can there be a happy outcome for them this time around, or have they lost their chance of love forever?

Genres: Romance, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Regency, Historical Romance, Retellings

224 pages, Hardcover

First published June 30, 2007

About the author

Amanda Grange was born in Yorkshire and spent her teenage years reading Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer whilst also finding time to study music at Nottingham University. She has had twenty-five novels published including six Jane Austen retellings, which look at events from the heroes' points of view. She has also had two books published under different names: Murder at Whitegates Manor (as Eleanor Tyler; a Regency cosy crime murder mystery) and The Rake (as Amy Watson; a very light and frothy Regency romance).

Woman said of Mr Darcy's Diary: "Lots of fun, this is the tale behind the alpha male," whilst The Washington Post called Mr Knightley's Diary "affectionate". The Historical Novels Review made Captain Wentworth's Diary an Editors' Choice, remarking, "Amanda Grange has hit upon a winning formula."

Austenblog declared that Colonel Brandon's Diary was "the best book yet in her series of heroes' diaries."

Amanda Grange now lives in Cheshire. Her profile photo was taken at the Jane Austen House Museum, Chawton. The museum is well worth a visit!

You can find out more by visiting her website at http://www.amandagrange.com You can also follow her on Twitter @hromanceuk and find her on Facebook

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Out of all the heros of Jane Austen's books, I would have to say I like Captain Wentworth the best. Amanda Grange wrote a believable diary of the Captain.

I know many Austen fans may shun me but I think I like Captain Wentworth even better than Mr. Darcy. He came from nothing and made himself into a great man never forgetting who he was and the value of all people and love. You can not say as much of Mr. Darcy. Although I do esteem him highly. Despite the fact these are all fictional characters.

I find this book the most interesting of all the diaries because of the nature of the story "Persuasion." It is one that makes you wonder how and what the captain is thinking throughout the whole story. I liked reading it from the male's perspective. However it is comical to even write this because it is a woman telling a man's story.

In both "Persuasion" and "Captain Wentworth's Diary," Anne is heard to defend women because all that is written of women's feelings is told from a man's perspective. I just find the irony in all this entertaining.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

And I am now officially hooked on Amanda Grange's Austen heroes diaries!!! Captain Wentworth's Diary was wonderful! I enjoyed reading the story through his point of view so much, especially as he had always appeared to me as one of the most enigmatic and intriguing Austen heroes. Now after this lovely novel by Amanda Grange, I feel like I know Wentworth and I understand him much more. Grange remained true to the original Persuasion, but she also recounted Anne and Wentworth's first meetings, falling in love and broken first engagement. I enjoyed that part of the story excessively and it had me hooked for the rest!

The diary was very well done, and though I don't necessarily imagine the Austen heroes actually keeping a diary (it's more something that like, Catherine Morland would do, you know), I was surprised at how well it worked and helped to deliver a very straightforward point of view! The style of writing was simple and elegant, and the novel read very fast! I had a hard time to put it down.

What I really appreciated of Captain Wentworth's Diary, besides the beautiful love story, was the strong relationship that Frederick had with his brother Edward, which we don't really get to see in Persuasion. I loved the way Captain Wentworth would confide in him, and tell him everything about Anne. One could tell that Edward was very sympathetic and wanted what was best for his brother. Usually Austen explores that bond through sisterhood, so it was nice that one of her heroes had a similar bond with a brother.

Grange also managed to make me feel the same things I felt for each character when I read Persuasion: admiration, respect and compassion for Anne, disgust at Sir Walter and Miss Elliot, mockery at Mary, nothing special for the Musgroves girls (but of course compassion for Louisa when she injures herself!) and hardly-contained hatred and annoyance for Mr. Elliott. And of course vapours towards Wentworth! In fact, in all honesty, I preferred in this novel, because we were made aware of his true feelings and so we could understand the motives of his actions.

I strongly recommend it to Austen fans, especially to those who do not like to see the story modified. Thank you to all who recommend Amanda Grange and/or the Austen heroes diaries! I owe you many hours of pleasure! Special thanks to Maria for doing a buddy read of it with me (I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did! It was so much fun!) and to Soph for sharing/listening to my comments about the book! :)

[Meredith (Austenesque Reviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a fan of Jane Austen and Persuasion (Oxford World's Classics) I am sure you have wondered about how Captain Wentworth and Anne met, how they fell in love, what happened eight years ago and how does what happened eight years ago affect them later on. I have read Persuasion by Jane Austen and I admire it very much, but I have always felt unsatisfied not knowing how the story began. Of course we may never know what Jane Austen had in mind for Wentworth and Anne, but Amanda Grange makes a bold attempt at how the first meeting between the two went.

This is my third book by Amanda Grange and by far my favorite. I like this book the most because it gives such new insight into the character of Captain Wentworth. The story starts in the year 1806 just before he meets Anne for the first time. This was a pleasant surprise because I was expecting it to start like "Persuasion" did with Kellynch hall being rented by the Croft's. The first 100 or so pages were like a "prequel" to "Persuasion."

My favorite thing about this book is how well we got to know Captain Wentworth, we got to see other sides of him. In "Persuasion" he is mostly angry, proud, resentful. Now we see his character develop. We see more history, depth, passion. He is a more well-rounded character.

Of course the writing is not in the style of Jane Austen, Captain Wentworth is our narrator, and I don't think anyone will argue with me when I say he does not have Jane Austen's wit and language! The author does a great job portraying Wentworth's thoughts and feelings and the story (when it resumes in the year 1814) follows very closely the timing and events taking place in Jane Austen's "Persuasion."

I highly recommend this to any Jane Austen, "Persuasion," or Captain Wentworth fan!

[Hallie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I knew this was a risk, and it might have paid off a little better had I just been determined enough to skip the first section altogether, once I found it wasn't going well. Instead, I skipped to the second part (which pretty much starts where Persuasion does), read and enjoyed that, and then went back to the beginning. Even though the author doesn't stick closely enough to the original in every particular to suit me, the need to fit what she's writing in with actual dialogue does keep Wentworth close to "right" in the second part. In the beginning section, he's a shallow, immature and self-centred brat, rather than someone who carries resentment and pride for too long. I'd have thought Lady Russell's advice to Anne good if he'd been like that. If you stick with the second part, it's a light, fairly enjoyable read, though I don't feel inclined to pick up any of the other Jane Austen Heroes books.

[Sydney · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very sweet little story following events set before, during, and after the story of Persuasion from Captain Wentworth's POV.♡

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever wondered how Captain Wentworth and Anne Elliot met and fell in love? What exactly happened eight years before the events every Janeites know better than anyone? In this diary by Amanda Grange you will find all the answers to your questions about “Persuasion”. This is the story told by Frederick Wentworth’s point of view, a touching and romantic book that will enthrall you all from the first page until the end.

I had been wanting to read this book for a long time. I had it on my Kindle waiting for me, until my friend Anne asked me to do a buddy read. I promptly accepted because I loved the idea to read a book together with a friend and then, when we ended up choosing one of Amanda Grange’s novels I was extremely pleased. I expected it to be a great read but I did not imagine I would love it so much!

Mrs. Grange did a wonderful job! Her book is faithful to the original and the descriptions are very accurate. I loved reading about some aspects of Wentworth’s nature we can only suppose in “Persuasion”. He was a different man. He was younger, cheerful and hotheaded (as he defines himself) but he was also full of hopes and totally in love with Anne, especially because of her superior mind and kindness. He had never met a woman like her before and I loved to see how the circumstances affected his life, his emotions and his mood throughout the years. Anne is my favourite among Austen heroines and I was not at all disappointed by this one. The author described her perfectly. Every trait of Anne’s character is amiable and lovely and I enjoyed every page of this diary.

I felt very bad for Wentworth when Anne broke their engagement persuaded by her godmother Lady Russell. Of course I knew he had suffered but reading through “his diary pages” made me feel closer to his pain considering that we are familiar only with Anne’s feelings in the original novel. I was happy to get to know Captain Wentworth better because he is a real gentleman and I have always wondered who actually was the man who wrote the most romantic letter I have ever read.

I recommend it to all Jane Austen fans, especially those ones who love “Persuasion” and are eager to read a well written book. You will definitely become an enthusiastic admirer of Amanda Grange as I did.

*Thank you Anne for joining me for this fun and beautiful experience. I appreciated it even more because you shared your thoughts with me :)

[Anne (In Search of Wonder) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐

I like the books in this series by Amanda Grange, where she retells our favorite Austen stories from the male perspective utilizing an epistolary format. Since we don't get too much of the male perspective from Austen herself, it's fun to read these and imagine.

My favorite part about this book is that she focuses on the scenes that are only mentioned in Persuasion - like the back story where Wentworth and Anne meet, fall in love, get engaged, and then get un-engaged. We also see Wentworth interacting with his brother and his sister, which took place off-page in Austen's novel. Annnndddd we get that whole letter-writing scene from Wentworth's perspective....!! Grange did a great job sticking within the parameters set by Austen while imagining what those scenes might have looked like and how the principle characters may have acted in them.

This particular one did drag a bit for me at times. I enjoyed it and it was a fun and faithful read - my favorite sort of retelling - but unless you're an Austen fanatic like me you probably won't love it.

[Anna]

After I finished Jane Austen’s Persuasion, I wasn’t ready to let the characters go, so I quickly got my hands on a copy of Captain Wentworth’s Diary by Amanda Grange. There are so few sequels and retellings of Persuasion, so I should have savored this one, but I tore through this book in one day. Sigh.

Persuasion is told from the point of view of Anne Elliot, who is persuaded by her friend, Lady Russell, to break her engagement to the love her life, Frederick Wentworth, simply because he isn’t rich and doesn’t have a title or connections and therefore isn’t a suitable match for a baronet’s daughter. Wentworth’s thoughts and feelings are revealed only through his interactions with Anne and one really, really romantic letter.

Captain Wentworth’s Diary is a retelling of Persuasion from Wentworth’s point of view and in his words. The entries are more detailed than you would expect in a diary, especially when it comes to the dialogue, which helps it read like a regular novel. The writing and wording is much different from Austen’s, of course, but that hardly matters.

What I really enjoyed about Captain Wentworth’s Diary is that Grange begins Frederick and Anne’s story in 1806, when they first meet at a ball. Austen gives few details about their relationship in Persuasion, other than that they were engaged, so I enjoyed reading about their courtship. Their initial meeting is humorous, and Wentworth’s feelings for Anne are deep; he can’t stay away from her despite warnings from his brother that he is paying too much attention to her — and only her. Grange did such a good job building their relationship that when it ends, I could feel the sadness.

Captain Wentworth’s Diary fast forwards to 1814 and follows the story line of Persuasion, except that telling the story from Wentworth’s point of view allows readers to get to know Admiral and Mrs. Croft, Captain Harville, and Wentworth’s brother, Edward, better — and better understand the pain and wounded pride that causes him to act the way he does toward Anne. Grange gives a fuller view of Wentworth than Austen, but I didn’t need her to convince me of his greatness, as I’d fallen in love with the character while reading Persuasion. Still, it was nice to read an Austen retelling not focused on Pride and Prejudice!

Review posted on Diary of an Eccentric

[Vicki Cline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of Jane Austen's Persuasion, told from the viewpoint of Anne Elliot's spurned lover Captain Wentworth. The most interesting part is the story of how they met and fell in love, then separated, i.e. the part that happened eight years before the beginning of Persuasion. I was hoping for some episodes of the captain's adventures at sea, but the second part of the book takes up when they meet again. It's very much the flavor of Austen's book and I liked seeing events from another viewpoint.

[Fluffychick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read Darcy's Diary by the same author last year and thought it was "okay". I think this one works better for a couple of reasons, but my grumble is it's written in diary form, but there is a vast amount of direct speech used throughout, particularly in the latter half. A lot of this is lifted straight from the original, and lets face it, if you're reading this you'll probably be pretty familiar with the original text anyway. No-one writes a diary using direct speech, so maybe it needs a different style. However, despite the above rant, it was less jarring that the Darcy Diary and I got over it!

I think the booked worked because Captain Wentworth is a more straightforward character. I'll be accused of over simplifying, but it's a case of he loved Anne and wanted to marry her, was turned down after an initial acceptance, was extremely hurt, went on with his career but never got over her. There's less "internal agony" in this hero than Darcy and he's also less precious in terms of not being every woman's fantasy ideal man.
The diary shows him in turmoil as he gradually realises that he really never got over Anne and doesn't know whether she feels the same and the situation that leads to him writing the "You pierce my soul" letter (which is one of my favourite sections of Austen) is done very well. I praise Grange in that she doesn't try to make him too modern in analysing his feelings both for Louisa and Anne. Wentworth comes across as a bit of a flirt in his early days, with maybe an over inflated sense of Pride, but a generally likable, solid man who is honourable and loyal to his friends and family. He grows over time in stature and wisdom, and this is beliveable but at times it felt a bit superficial.

I enjoyed the first section of the book which covered how Wentworth and Anne met and their developing romance. Although Anne is overshadowed by her proud father and sister she comes across as clever and engaging, which is good to see as she later becomes more passive and this gives a glimpse of what is so special about her that draws Wentworth back after eight years.

Overall, it's one for Austen fans, a good knowledge of the original makes it a much more enjoyable read and thankfully it doesn't alter the original characterisations and situations.

[Gina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Amanda Grange has made quite the career out of writing the hero's perspective from Jane Austen novels. Captain Wentworth is the hero of Persuasion, a naval captain who has risen through rank and wealth to eventually persuade his first and only love Anne to marry him. There is nothing of literary significance here. It's fluff - Austen fan fiction with a publisher. I've now read this and Mr. Darcy's Diary. Both are a solid OK = 2 stars. While that wouldn't normally have me reading anything else along the same lines by the same author, I still kind of like them. It provides mindless escape reading, and sometimes I like mindless escape reading.

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful read. Over the first half of the book, Grange makes a very believable impression of how Wentworth and Anne met and fell in love. He is the adventurous charmer, and she positively blooms under his attention. His pursuit of her is quite lovely.
Eight years later he returns to Uppercross, thinking he'd forgotten about the woman he once loved. You know the rest... and reading it from his point of view will make you love "Persuasion" even more.
I personally enjoyed this diary better than Darcy's. Recommended for any Wentworth or Persuasion fan, you won't be disappointed!!

[Joelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Persuasion by Jane Austen and Captain Wentworth rivals Mr. Darcy in my fictional crushes.

The man in this book, he was not Captain Frederick Wentworth. I don’t care what the title implies. He was boring and not at all the complex character I know the man to be. This guy was childish.

Pet peeve: when the book is supposed to be someone’s diary, but instead it’s just written in first person narrative with a few dates thrown in.

[Meyssoun Riahi · Rating 4 out of 5]

so so good djeiejfkwhsojdd je me suis souvenue de tous les détails de persuasion jsosjdod it was so nice looola jsksbdjd je sais pas quoi dire skjdodidid j’aime bien voir le pdv des autres perso

[Bren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bueno, no puedo negar que Grange tiene un gran conocimiento no solo de los personajes de Jane Austen, si no además se nota que es una gran admiradora suya, después de leer el diario de Mr. Darcy, que me dejó un excelente sabor de boca, me decidí a leer el diario de mi segundo protagonista preferido El capital Wentworth de Persuasión.

La idea de Grange, supongo, es hacernos ver en estos diarios todos aquellos momentos que nos perdimos dentro de la trama original, por lo tanto este libro comienza, no donde empieza Persuasión, si no cuando Wentworth y Anne se conocen por primera vez, prácticamente toda la primera parte se trata de esto.

Toda la segunda parte, es el punto de vista de él a partir de su regreso, que es donde comienza realmente el libro de Persuasión.

Sin embargo y a pesar de que me gustó el libro, me parece que se detuvo demasiado en toda la primera parte, no creo que fuera necesario, ya que, los que hemos leído persuasión, sabemos a detalle lo que sucedió y como sucedió, así que aunque no me molestó, creo que le dedicó demasiadas paginas a esta parte de la historia.

La realidad es que en este caso, tiene algunos fallos, para mí importantes porque sabemos por ejemplo que Wentworth conoce a los Moosgrove cuando llega a visitar a su hermana, en cambio el libro nos dice que los conoció al mismo tiempo que a Anne, tal vez esto no sea muy importante, pero para una fanatica como yo, resulta chocante.

Lo que sí logra Grange es darnos mas que un pincelazo de la personalidad de Wentworth, de sus sentimientos y de su forma de ser, que de alguna manera nos perdemos en Persuasión, porque Austen lo pinta muy serio y flemático, con la finalidad de que veamos lo muy poco que le interesa Anne y aún y cuando en el desarrollo de la trama vamos visualizando un poco a Wentworth, en realidad no sabemos mucho de él si no hasta el final de Persuasión. Así que sí, me encantó ver sus sufrimientos reales, sus pensamientos al estar cerca de Anne después de 8 años, lo que pasó y vivió mientras estuvo lejos, su rencor, su dolor, pero también sus mas profundos sentimientos con respecto a Anne.

Fue un deleite nuevamente leer algo de Grange, que nos muestra a un Wentworth humano, ¿qué mas puedo decirles? amé este libro tanto como amé Persuasión y no me queda mas que agradecerle a Grange haber escrito este libro con tanto respeto a la creadora original del personaje, que además para disfrute de nosotros los fanáticos, es una historia bien escrita, bien manejada, apegada casi en su totalidad (los Musgrove ¿recuerdan?) a la historia original, no cambio la esencia de ninguno de sus personajes y nos permite conocer el otro lado de la historia.

En este caso, en el mío particular, hay varios detalles que me encantaron ¿recuerdan la escena cuando Anne platica con Harville mientras Wentworth esta escribiendo una carta? sabemos que esta tratando de escuchar, tan es así que se le cae la pluma, pero ¿Qué pensaba? ¿escuchó todo? ¿Qué sintió en ese momento después de dar a entender que se daba por vencido?, si pudieran ver mi cara en este momento, es que disfrute tanto escuchar los pensamientos de Frederick después de tantos años de haber leído Persuasión.

Es una lástima que este libro no se encuentre traducido al español y dado que fué publicado en el 2007, dudo mucho que vaya a suceder.
Sin embargo, si no les molesta leerla en inglés se las recomiendo mucho, a las fans de Jane les aseguro que lo van a disfrutar tremendamente, tanto como lo hice yo.

[sofy (Jane Austen’s version) · Rating 4 out of 5]

how come i never thought of how confusing the situation must be for Frederick?? hahah

he’s such a teenage girl reading between the (almost non existant) lines and going like “is it possible that Anne did that because of me?” and then going back and forth between those thoughts and negative ones.
the perfect example: “I felt my emotions pulled in two directions. Were her recollections of it agreeable because of me? If so, what happiness! Or were they agreeable because of her seeing Mr Elliot for the first time there? If so, what misery!”
please he’s so funny and relatable
go off, twin, for surviving all that!

he would’ve loved ‘decode’ by sabrina carpenter

[Rebecca May · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so happy with this book! I read it last of the Diaries that I owned, not really knowing what to expect, and I couldn’t be more delighted. Persuasion is one of my least favourite Austen books, and consequently Captain Wentworth is not my favourite hero. But this Diary really raised his esteem in my eyes, though I don’t think his ranking on the Hero list has changed.

As I thought with Mr Knightley’s Diary in regards to Emma; Captain Wentworth's Diary is Persuasion the way that Persuasion should have been told in the beginning.

There were two main problems with Persuasion. First of all, it was dreary, and secondly, all the romance had been and gone before the book began. But I think the reason that it is competing with Mansfield Park as my least favourite Austen novel is that it is just so damn sad. It’s all about two people suffering through bitterness and pain, and eight unnecessary years spent apart that should have been spent blissfully together. And I think that is the reason that Captain Wentworth’s Diary surprised me; it made me so happy, because unlike in Persuasion, in the Diary there was a glimpse of the light that had come before the darkness. Of course, that made the sadness all the more heart-breaking when it came, but it was a more beautiful, hopeful, potent sadness than the bitter, dreary affair in the original. And this is because the readers now know how beautiful the love was that all the bitterness stemmed from.

Again I observe (as I did with Colonel Brandon’s Diary) that Amanda Grange tends to work better when she knows what happened (generally) in the background. With Persuasion we had a pretty good idea, but Grange rises beautifully to the challenge of making a young, beautiful, wonderfully clever Anne and a proud, cocky, kind, and amazing Captain Wentworth. We get to see them fall in love, and Grange combines her own beautiful style with what we know of the characters from the original novel to capture the essence of Persuasion, yet at the same time make a beautiful romance.

The break-up – if it can be called that – was heart-breaking, of course, but Grange manages it more gracefully than she did Eliza’s death in Colonel Brandon’s Diary (Can you tell I’m still not over that?) In Persuasion Wentworth seemed a bitter and vengefully flirtatious man whose only redeeming features were that he didn’t really mean it, that he helped Anne out with the kids, and had a gift for writing letters that make women everywhere get tears in their eyes. However, what is beautiful about the Diary is that we see a man confused by pride and rage and bitterness, not able to let himself realize that he is in love – which, by the way, Amanda Grange’s heroes have a continually amusing habit of doing. In any case, Wentworth’s bitterness is awful to witness, as in Benwick’s heartbreak. And we see that what drew Wentworth to Louisa was he perceived her wilfulness to be strength of character. He believed a lack of strength to be the reason Anne left him, and so he sought to protect himself from the same heartbreak. We also see that his anguish over Louisa’s fall was not grief born from love, but a terrible, terrible feeling of guilt and responsibility. We see him grow to realize how he has almost eternally jeopardised his happiness through his pride and his fear, and throughout the Diary we continually witness Wentworth being the hero that in Persuasion we really only see in his letter.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why the novel was such a beautiful surprise for me.

As always, Amanda Grange’s setting is beautifully described, consistent with the original, and her writing is also very beautiful. Her characters capture the essence of the original characters, all combining to make Captain Wentworth's Diary a far bright, happier, beautiful, romantic affair than Persuasion was. Overall, Captain Wentworth's Diary is highly recommended to any of those who love Jane Austen's original works, or Amanda Grange's beautiful adaptions.

[Paige Laliberte · Rating 1 out of 5]

I love the story of Persuasion and consider it my second favorite Austen only after Pride and Prejudice. I was excited to read this book, as I hoped it could be a unique flip on the story that I loved so much, as Persuasion doesn’t give the reader insights into Captain Wentworth’s thoughts and feelings until the final act of the story. Unfortunately, I was rather disappointed.

First, this book suffers from the same problem that many ‘diary’ books suffer from: it reads like a simple first-person narrative, not a diary entry. There was too much focus on direct quotes and it did not seem as though it was a recording of Wentworth’s thoughts for the day. On the entry for the day of the fateful fall in Lyme, Wentworth supposedly writes everything down in chronological order. But, if you were a diarist and you felt that you had killed a young woman by not catching her when she jumped, wouldn’t you write that first? Instead of chronicling everything in complete and perfect order of events, your first lines written would be mourning the tragic accident.

I also struggled with Wentworth’s narration throughout the novel. I wanted to read a fresh take with a new narrative voice of the Persuasion story. Instead, I read so many phrases and quips that Miss Austen herself wrote packaged up and rephrased as Captain Wentworth’s thoughts, that it completely pulled me out of the story. Perhaps if I was not so familiar with the original novel I would not have noticed the similarities, but when the asides and sarcastic comments are the exact ones used in the original novel, it makes me question the purpose of ‘rewriting’ the story at all. If the author isn’t going to develop a unique narrative voice for Captain Wentworth, and instead almost plagiarize Austen’s own marvelous witticisms, why write this book at all?

This novel is a light, sweet read, but if you are looking for a fresh take on an old story, look elsewhere.

[Aneca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Persuasion is my favourite Jane Austen book so it was with high expectations that I started this story, supposedly Captain's Wentworth's version of the events. The first chapters of the book report Wentworth and Anne's meeting 8 years before Persuasion starts and so come solely out of Amanda Grange's imagination. When they meet Wentworth, at first, mistakes her for a maid and asks her for a dance to save her from the arrogant Miss Elliott. The story proceeds as the two meet at several social functions and Frederick falls in love with Anne. He proposes and is accepted but, on the next day, Anne refuses him after being persuaded to do so by Lady Russell. He becomes understandably angry and leaves decided to seek his fortune and forget all about her. Then we jump 8 years and are in familiar ground with the retelling of the well known story.

I must say that I did enjoy the book, it was a nice story and it followed Austen's lead pretty closely, the dialogues, the situations; everything is similar to the original. However I think Commander Wentworth has a very youthful voice that went well with the man in the first chapters but lacked gravity in the latter part of the story, the man who wrote "you pierce my soul" would, I feel, have a more serious and anguished approach to Anne and her reactions to him. I wanted more of his reflections about what was happening and I didn't feel I got to know Anne better or to understand why both she and Fanny were such superior women. Jane Austen's wit is also absent (except where the dialogues are the original) and somehow a witty dialogue could have made up for much.

Still I did enjoy it, it was very easy to read and fans of Persuasion will definitely like to know more about Captain Wentworth.

Grade: 4/5

[Rikke · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was far better than "Mr. Darcy's Diary" in the same series. Not only because 'Persuasion' is my favorite novel of all-time (although that may have been a contributing factor as well), but mainly because Grange actually uses her imagination in this one, and therefore creates something partly-original instead of just retelling Austen's well-known story.
The first part of this book is definitely the best part, as it offers the most refreshingly new angle on Wentworth's and Anne's love story. Grange writes of the first time the two lovers met, and therefore tells an entirely new love story, the one that Austen chose to leave in the dark. And I find myself agreeing completely with Grange in her interpretation of the first meeting between Wentworth and Anne. Her writing is convincing, believable, and most important of all: perfectly simple.
The second part of this book is unfortunately not as good, as it almost only consists of quotes from Austen's original novel. Grange seems to be at her best, when she has no guidebook and is forced to use her imagination, otherwise she's too bound to her integrity for Austen's authorship. And while I perfectly understand her dilemma, I do not approve of that sort of writing. If I wanted to read Austen's version of 'Persuasion' I would just read the original book. Right?

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

A most diverting novel in which I get to spend time with my second favorite Austen man, Captain Wentworth. Persuasion is my second favorite Austen novel and Grange has allowed me to bask in the heartache of loved denied for eight years. Other than being a rewrite of Austen, nothing terribly original, but like I said, extremely diverting. If nothing else, she gets credit for paying attention to an Austen novel other than Pride and Prejudice, as every other Austen genre novel seems to do.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

So I've heard good things about Mr. Darcy's Diary by Grange but my library didn't have that book. It did have this book, Wentworth's Diary, so I thought I'd give it a try...

It was a huge pile of drivel.

Bland, not written like a diary, full of non-realistic fluff and so obviously written from a women's point of view.

[J · Rating 3 out of 5]

don't judge. persuasion is my favorite book, and it was on sale. didn't come close to austen, but it was interesting.

[Carole · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25/5

https://my-bo0ks.over-blog.com/2023/0...

Après avoir découvert Le journal de Monsieur Darcy de l'autrice qui nous offre le point de vue de celui-ci, j'étais curieuse de découvrir celui du Capitaine Wentworth de Persuasion de Jane Austen. Il s'agit ici donc d'une inspiration du personnage de l'autrice avec une part d'interprétation.

Pour resituer les choses, Persuasion c'est l'histoire de Anne Elliot et du Capitaine Wentworth. Ils tombent amoureux à leur rencontre mais la famille d'Anne voit cette relation d'un mauvais œil. Il n'est ni assez riche ni titré pour être à la hauteur de la jeune femme. Si bien qu'ils la poussent à le quitter. Quelques années plus tard, le héros a fait son petit bout de chemin et est de retour dans les environs et toujours aussi amoureux. Mais est-ce trop tard ?

Si dans Persuasion les pensées du capitaine nous sont flous, ce roman nous offre une idée un peu plus précise de ses envies, attentes et doutes. Même si par certains aspects j'avais du mal à reconnaître le personnage de Jane Austen, j'ai trouvé qu'on arrivait tout de même à s'attacher a lui et avoir envie de le voir heureux avec Anne. J'ai aimé voir à quel point ses sentiments sont forts et toujours identiques qu'à l'époque.

La relation est donc au centre de tout puisqu'il n'a jamais réussi à oublier la jeune femme malgré toutes ces années. J'ai apprécié découvrir l'histoire d'un autre œil et même si je connaissais l'issue j'avais hâte d'aller au bout de ma lecture pour avoir comme une sorte de second épilogue à leur histoire, car les voir ensemble c'est quand même ce qu'on attend tous. J'ai pris plaisir à voir les nombreux quiproquos que ces deux-là rencontrent au fil des jours et le cheminement du point de vue de notre personnage masculin.

En conclusion, un bon moment de lecture avec Le journal du capitaine Wentworth. J'aime toujours la plume de l'autrice même si elle ne dépasse pas Jane Austen, si chère à mon cœur de lectrice.

[Mathilde (dailytopas) · Rating 4 out of 5]

J’ai adoré avoir le point de vue du capitaine Wentworth ! La plume était douce et facile à suivre, ça me donne énormément envie de lire le point de vue de Mr Darcy aussi.
J’avais peur que ce soit une copie de Persuasion mais même ayant lu les 2 à la suite je n’ai pas eu ce soucis c’était un très bon complément de lecture.

Merci encore aux éditions Hauteville pour l’envoi de ce livre.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely light rendition of Persuasion! This time from Captain Wentworth's perspective! Thoroughly enjoyed it! Anne, always Anne...😊

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

It wasn’t bad. It’s just that Jane Austen’s characters seem different when written by another’s pen.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book! I love this story and Captain Wentworth is one of my favorite characters. It was fun reading the story through his eyes.

[Betty-Lou · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful look at Austen’s world through the eyes of the dashing Captain Wentworth. ❤️

[Kristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this one!