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Persuading Austen
It is a truth universally acknowledged that working with an ex is a terrible idea…
Annie Elliot never expected her life to turn out this living with her dad, working as an accountant – perhaps the least glamorous job in Hollywood? – and dodging her family’s constant bickering.
Landing a job as a producer on a new adaptation of Pride and Prejudice seems like the piece of luck she’s been waiting for. Until the cast is announced, and Annie discovers that the actor playing Mr Darcy is Austen Wentworth – the man she’s spent nearly a decade trying to forget.
With nowhere to hide, there’s just one question. Now the one who got away has come back, should Annie stand by her pride? Or give into Austen’s powers of persuasion?
A laugh-out-loud Jane Austen retelling, perfect for fans of Lindsey Kelk and Fiona Collins.
Annie Elliot never expected her life to turn out this living with her dad, working as an accountant – perhaps the least glamorous job in Hollywood? – and dodging her family’s constant bickering.
Landing a job as a producer on a new adaptation of Pride and Prejudice seems like the piece of luck she’s been waiting for. Until the cast is announced, and Annie discovers that the actor playing Mr Darcy is Austen Wentworth – the man she’s spent nearly a decade trying to forget.
With nowhere to hide, there’s just one question. Now the one who got away has come back, should Annie stand by her pride? Or give into Austen’s powers of persuasion?
A laugh-out-loud Jane Austen retelling, perfect for fans of Lindsey Kelk and Fiona Collins.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 18, 2017
48 people are currently reading
355 people want to read
About the author
Brigid Coady
9 books28 followersBrigid Coady was born in the UK but raised round the world with most of her childhood spent reading.
Brigid works for a communications and digital marketing agency as a producer and storyteller. Much of her writing is done at weekends in various Starbucks around the world.
In the past, she has been the official Writer in Residence on the 06:37 train from London Victoria to Canterbury West.
Brigid is also a voice-over artist, loves country music and has had her own radio show. Brigid’s obsession with One Direction and Kenny Chesney is perfectly healthy, no matter what anyone else says. She lives in London. Persuading Austen and Emma Ever After are her tributes to Jane Austen and fan fiction.
Brigid works for a communications and digital marketing agency as a producer and storyteller. Much of her writing is done at weekends in various Starbucks around the world.
In the past, she has been the official Writer in Residence on the 06:37 train from London Victoria to Canterbury West.
Brigid is also a voice-over artist, loves country music and has had her own radio show. Brigid’s obsession with One Direction and Kenny Chesney is perfectly healthy, no matter what anyone else says. She lives in London. Persuading Austen and Emma Ever After are her tributes to Jane Austen and fan fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
July 21, 2023
This has been an amusing Jane Austen meets breezy chick-lit/beach read/brain candy retelling (maybe brain-bubble gum is more fitting) stuff. (even though it would have worked better with less fake-angst and agonising.)
Overall I am not much impressed with all the JA spin-offs and modern re-tellings out there, so I read this novel with caution, but was positively surprised. This book will definitely join Northanger Abbey by Val McDermid and Vanity and Vexation: A Novel of Pride and Prejudice by Kate Fenton on my shelf of "imperfect, but quite enjoyable JA remakes".
You have to be prepared to make allowances for the run-of-the-mill traits of the chick-lit genre to enjoy it, though.
Generally, the author, Brigid Coady translated Persuasion very well by turning most of the well-known characters into actors/tv-stars/celebrities and Anne herself into a film production accountant-cum-producer. She also sticks to the universal Persuasion-storyline without becoming a slave to it.
There are lots of touching and hilarious moments, though I would have welcomed some more interaction bw characters instead of the constant internal agony-monologues of Annie: there was just too much of it.
And this is the thing that gets lost in translation: Anne's character, even though it is not easy to bring Austen's heroines (or heroes) into the 21st century intact.
The basic quality is captured well: the modern Annie (ouch - OK, this grates a bit, I prefer Anne!) is very easy to relate to. She is warm-hearted, compassionate, loyal and supportive ..... BUT a total NO-HOPER, underdog, doormat, what have you, when it comes to her family.
Supposedly she is very successful in her profession, calm and competent, but that is only told, never shown. Descriptions of her cowering, chickening-out, avoiding confrontation at all costs, hiding or escaping from awkward situations occur almost on every third page well-into 2/3 of the book and you simply can't believe that this woman has all that steadiness and inner-strength that is essential to her character.
It gets better by the end, and the overall story is so light and entertaining that it compensates for this drawback, but I am also sorry, for this book could have been better.
‐--‐---------'
ARC received by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Overall I am not much impressed with all the JA spin-offs and modern re-tellings out there, so I read this novel with caution, but was positively surprised. This book will definitely join Northanger Abbey by Val McDermid and Vanity and Vexation: A Novel of Pride and Prejudice by Kate Fenton on my shelf of "imperfect, but quite enjoyable JA remakes".
You have to be prepared to make allowances for the run-of-the-mill traits of the chick-lit genre to enjoy it, though.
Generally, the author, Brigid Coady translated Persuasion very well by turning most of the well-known characters into actors/tv-stars/celebrities and Anne herself into a film production accountant-cum-producer. She also sticks to the universal Persuasion-storyline without becoming a slave to it.
There are lots of touching and hilarious moments, though I would have welcomed some more interaction bw characters instead of the constant internal agony-monologues of Annie: there was just too much of it.
And this is the thing that gets lost in translation: Anne's character, even though it is not easy to bring Austen's heroines (or heroes) into the 21st century intact.
The basic quality is captured well: the modern Annie (ouch - OK, this grates a bit, I prefer Anne!) is very easy to relate to. She is warm-hearted, compassionate, loyal and supportive ..... BUT a total NO-HOPER, underdog, doormat, what have you, when it comes to her family.
Supposedly she is very successful in her profession, calm and competent, but that is only told, never shown. Descriptions of her cowering, chickening-out, avoiding confrontation at all costs, hiding or escaping from awkward situations occur almost on every third page well-into 2/3 of the book and you simply can't believe that this woman has all that steadiness and inner-strength that is essential to her character.
It gets better by the end, and the overall story is so light and entertaining that it compensates for this drawback, but I am also sorry, for this book could have been better.
‐--‐---------'
ARC received by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 13, 2017
A modern retelling of Jane Austen's Persuasion set against the world of the British Period Drama and the production of Pride & Prejudice sounded like all sorts of fun so this was an easy sell for me after reading the blurb and wanting to try a new to me author.
With modern retellings, I am always keen to discover how Austen's original characters will translate into the modern world and what the author will choose for the modern setting. I thought it was clever to cast the Persuasion characters as actors and actresses and at the same time offer a fun wink at the more popular Austen novel, Pride & Prejudice.
I was all set to love this one to death, but I ended up settling for milder feelings of like. Maybe my expectations were too high, but for certain, I was anticipating something different. I noticed afterward when I started working on my review that on a couple book sites that this was listed as Women's Fiction rather than Contemporary Romance (which was what I thought I was getting). This was me not paying attention not the fault of others. It makes a great deal of difference in expectation obviously to get the genre straight.
However, even if I hadn't tangled up which genre I was reading, I would have still struggled with the main character. Jane Austen's Anne Elliot's character had more quiet strength and her reasons for her youthful choice was more understandable to me set in the time period when things were different for women. Whereas this didn't come across with modern Annie because the times have changed for women when it comes to status, class, and women's careers. She is a doormat and just under 75% of this story was evidence of that. She spends her time inner monologuing about her dreary personal and family life, being resentful, and jealous, but she will not speak or act to change it.
But...
All hope is not lost. That last quarter of the book began with her epiphany moment and then growth and inner strength happened. Now this Annie, I could get behind and cheer on. Oh, the change was not overnight. She still was uncertain and timid, but at least she was making an effort. The very end came in a rush, but it was definitely sweet and romantic.
The story was easily recognizable as a retelling with several key scenes paralleling the original and works fine for those who are unfamiliar or less familiar with the original story it is based on. Spoiler-non spoiler... there is a 'letter' moment (just putting that out there for those who need to know that important detail).
What was a delightful surprise was the humor. The humor was a great balance for the other emotions. There were a few laugh out loud moments like when Annie discovers a few family secrets and her oblivious sister Marie the TV personality being a personality off-screen, too.
In summary, this was one I had to be patient with and wait for the paydirt moment nearer the end. I do love a good underdog story and this is indeed that. I also enjoyed my first time encounter with the author's writing and have my eye on a few books on her backlist. This will be for those who enjoy Women's Fiction and Modern Retellings.
I rec'd this book from NetGalley in exchange of an honest review.
With modern retellings, I am always keen to discover how Austen's original characters will translate into the modern world and what the author will choose for the modern setting. I thought it was clever to cast the Persuasion characters as actors and actresses and at the same time offer a fun wink at the more popular Austen novel, Pride & Prejudice.
I was all set to love this one to death, but I ended up settling for milder feelings of like. Maybe my expectations were too high, but for certain, I was anticipating something different. I noticed afterward when I started working on my review that on a couple book sites that this was listed as Women's Fiction rather than Contemporary Romance (which was what I thought I was getting). This was me not paying attention not the fault of others. It makes a great deal of difference in expectation obviously to get the genre straight.
However, even if I hadn't tangled up which genre I was reading, I would have still struggled with the main character. Jane Austen's Anne Elliot's character had more quiet strength and her reasons for her youthful choice was more understandable to me set in the time period when things were different for women. Whereas this didn't come across with modern Annie because the times have changed for women when it comes to status, class, and women's careers. She is a doormat and just under 75% of this story was evidence of that. She spends her time inner monologuing about her dreary personal and family life, being resentful, and jealous, but she will not speak or act to change it.
But...
All hope is not lost. That last quarter of the book began with her epiphany moment and then growth and inner strength happened. Now this Annie, I could get behind and cheer on. Oh, the change was not overnight. She still was uncertain and timid, but at least she was making an effort. The very end came in a rush, but it was definitely sweet and romantic.
The story was easily recognizable as a retelling with several key scenes paralleling the original and works fine for those who are unfamiliar or less familiar with the original story it is based on. Spoiler-non spoiler... there is a 'letter' moment (just putting that out there for those who need to know that important detail).
What was a delightful surprise was the humor. The humor was a great balance for the other emotions. There were a few laugh out loud moments like when Annie discovers a few family secrets and her oblivious sister Marie the TV personality being a personality off-screen, too.
In summary, this was one I had to be patient with and wait for the paydirt moment nearer the end. I do love a good underdog story and this is indeed that. I also enjoyed my first time encounter with the author's writing and have my eye on a few books on her backlist. This will be for those who enjoy Women's Fiction and Modern Retellings.
I rec'd this book from NetGalley in exchange of an honest review.
July 15, 2017
Oh my word, guys! Excitement pure alert! When I've spotted that Brigid Coady is back with her new release I really couldn't hide my joy - I adored Brigid's previous book, "No One Wants to be Miss Havisham", it was one of the funniest reads two years ago and all this time I was waiting for a new book from this author. As soon as it whizzed to my kindle, I started to read it, no need to mention that I was full of hope and expectations.
But. Guys. And I am so, so sorry. I'll make it short and painful - unfortunately. I was disappointed. Why? Well, because of the main character, Annie Elliot. Firstly, the name Annie just doesn't sit with me, which of course is not the authors' fault, but writing "Annie" in almost every single sentence didn't help. Secondly, I think I have never before come across such a pushover character, and I really started to fully dislike her. Every second page she was patronised by her sisters and father in the worst possible way. The way especially Imogen and their father talked to her was on the lowest level and yet Annie never spoke back, she just allowed them to use her - hell, she was providing for them, she paid all the bills, she organized their jobs and they were all the time unhappy, spent her money and spoke to her as if she was the last dirt, as if she was worthless, not respecting her at all. I wanted to shake her so much but eventually I gave up on Annie. When she decided to finally take those matters in her hands it was already much, much too late, for me the book was destroyed. Then on the other remaining pages Annie was reminiscing about her relationship with Austen and why it was, in advance, doomed to failure. It was a never - ending, long whinge, this narration.
This might have been a try on creating a modern version of Jane Austen's "Persuasion", with the Elliots being the theatrical dynasty, but for me it failed completely. I'm really, really sorry for this because I've been expecting so much from this story. Fortunately the author's brilliant, light and approachable writing style is still the same, so at least this saved the day for me a little. I hope though that the next book by the lovely Brigid Coady will be again my cup of tea.
Copy provided by the publisher in return for an honest review.
November 1, 2017
This is so hard to rate.
It reminds me a little of when I was at school and we were shown a film of one of Shakespeare's plays set in modern day. This is Jane Austen's Persuasion set in modern day where the Elliots are a theatrical dynasty. Annie Elliot is the put-upon second daughter, holding her profligate father William and elder sister Immy together in their family home on Clapham Common. Her younger sister Marie is a TV talk-show hostess married to an investment banker called Charles Musgrove. Although she is a doormat to her family, Annie is also co-owner of a successful production accountancy business with hopes of becoming a producer.
Annie's big chance comes when she is offered the role of assistant producer on a new production of Pride and Prejudice, there are roles for her father and Immy as well as her aunt Lily. However, the coup is that the production has attracted Hollywood star Austen Wentworth. And then she discovers that her estranged cousin Will Elliot has landed the role of Charles Bingley.
For the first third or so of the book it kept pretty close to the original storyline, that works okay for a film but for a die-hard Austen fan like me I was a bit underwhelmed, I know the story and casting it in a contemporary setting only works on film. But as the story moved from setting the scene and firmly entrenching the reader in a Persuasion rerun to the actual filming it stepped away from a faithful retelling of the story and came into its own right.
Most of the key scenes are retold in the book but given a contemporary twist, although they still visit Lyme Regis! I really enjoyed the story but I wonder if my pleasure would have been greater if I hadn't known how the story would end? Maybe someone who hasn't read the original could tell me.
If you loved films like Ten Things I Hate About You (the retelling of The Taming of the Shrew in an American high school) then I think you will really like this. Also, if you've never read Persuasion but would like a second-chance romance set on a British film set I recommend this too.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
It reminds me a little of when I was at school and we were shown a film of one of Shakespeare's plays set in modern day. This is Jane Austen's Persuasion set in modern day where the Elliots are a theatrical dynasty. Annie Elliot is the put-upon second daughter, holding her profligate father William and elder sister Immy together in their family home on Clapham Common. Her younger sister Marie is a TV talk-show hostess married to an investment banker called Charles Musgrove. Although she is a doormat to her family, Annie is also co-owner of a successful production accountancy business with hopes of becoming a producer.
Annie's big chance comes when she is offered the role of assistant producer on a new production of Pride and Prejudice, there are roles for her father and Immy as well as her aunt Lily. However, the coup is that the production has attracted Hollywood star Austen Wentworth. And then she discovers that her estranged cousin Will Elliot has landed the role of Charles Bingley.
For the first third or so of the book it kept pretty close to the original storyline, that works okay for a film but for a die-hard Austen fan like me I was a bit underwhelmed, I know the story and casting it in a contemporary setting only works on film. But as the story moved from setting the scene and firmly entrenching the reader in a Persuasion rerun to the actual filming it stepped away from a faithful retelling of the story and came into its own right.
Most of the key scenes are retold in the book but given a contemporary twist, although they still visit Lyme Regis! I really enjoyed the story but I wonder if my pleasure would have been greater if I hadn't known how the story would end? Maybe someone who hasn't read the original could tell me.
If you loved films like Ten Things I Hate About You (the retelling of The Taming of the Shrew in an American high school) then I think you will really like this. Also, if you've never read Persuasion but would like a second-chance romance set on a British film set I recommend this too.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
July 10, 2017
Loved this. It made me laugh. It made me cry. In short it is the perfect summer read!!! I could say more but there is no point...simply read it and escape to a Jane Austen like world on a film set of today and cheer and shout for Annie and Austen.
August 17, 2018
All in all not too bad for a retelling and a rather quick read, although I could have done without the constant swear words, and the heroine "Annie" was very unrealistically - and annoyingly - doormat-like. As I read in someone's review, her great abilities as a bookkeeper and producer we are just told about, never shown. For the life of me I couldn't see what Austen (the retelling's Frederick Wentworth) saw and loved in her.
I've also come to the conclusion that classic (mainly Austen) retellings are really not for me. I'll stick to my beloved originals from now on. At least I've learned that.
I've also come to the conclusion that classic (mainly Austen) retellings are really not for me. I'll stick to my beloved originals from now on. At least I've learned that.
July 9, 2017
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.
3.5* rounded up. A modern day retelling of "Persuasion", in which the updating worked pretty well, I thought. The Elliot and Musgrove families are actors cast in the filming of (confusingly) "Pride and Prejudice", with Anne Elliot as the producer and Austen (again, confusing - why not just Frederick?) Wentworth as Darcy.
It is hard to decide how much I would have enjoyed the story as it stood, if I were not looking out for and appreciating all the nods to the Austen novel. I found the beginning repetitive, with endless reminders of how kick ass Anne is in her job, but how weak in submitting to her terrible family. When we actually saw Anne doing her job, she didn't seem all that great at it - how difficult could it be to spot credit card payments going out of the film's budget?
There was a difference between the Austen novel and this one in the motivation for Anne to refuse Wentworth eight years ago; this novel introduced the concept of Anne needing to "find out who she was" (the answer seems to be - a producer). This muddied the waters somewhat and I found the ending rather abrupt - I wanted Anne and Austen to have a proper conversation about the past and the future. Also, I thought there was going to be a moment when he discovered her tattoo - I was looking forward to it...
3.5* rounded up. A modern day retelling of "Persuasion", in which the updating worked pretty well, I thought. The Elliot and Musgrove families are actors cast in the filming of (confusingly) "Pride and Prejudice", with Anne Elliot as the producer and Austen (again, confusing - why not just Frederick?) Wentworth as Darcy.
It is hard to decide how much I would have enjoyed the story as it stood, if I were not looking out for and appreciating all the nods to the Austen novel. I found the beginning repetitive, with endless reminders of how kick ass Anne is in her job, but how weak in submitting to her terrible family. When we actually saw Anne doing her job, she didn't seem all that great at it - how difficult could it be to spot credit card payments going out of the film's budget?
There was a difference between the Austen novel and this one in the motivation for Anne to refuse Wentworth eight years ago; this novel introduced the concept of Anne needing to "find out who she was" (the answer seems to be - a producer). This muddied the waters somewhat and I found the ending rather abrupt - I wanted Anne and Austen to have a proper conversation about the past and the future. Also, I thought there was going to be a moment when he discovered her tattoo - I was looking forward to it...
July 17, 2017
I shouldn't have liked this book, simple as that.
It had many of the tropes I dislike so much, but somehow I was addicted and didn't want to put the book down, which is rare. So five stars.
Now you might wonder... what are the things that annoyed you... I have a list.
-Annie was a push-over... I usually tend to despise characters who let themselves be bullied around and with no spine. Unless there's some sort of retribution at the end. This book had not nearly enough retribution, but again somehow I found myself waiting on the interactions between Anne and her family with some sort of perverse anticipation.
-Too much self deprecation. Okay promoting a healthy body image and not saying you have to look like a model or an actress to find love. But when the self-deprecation-I'm-too-ugly-I'm-too-fat pedal is pushed over and over again, I mean, you (the reader) start to believe is true. Especially because half the trick of being beautiful is feeling beautiful!
-Some things were too grit for me. I'm saying Mini Pony and nothing else.
-I'm not sure I'm even right, but I think Austen and Anne talked to each other a total of 3 maybe 4 times in the whole book. We know everything going on inside Anne's head, but I needed more interaction.
-
But again, as much as I want to shake my head I can't. The book did its job, it kept me glued to the pages, it didn't want to be put down. I guess this is my first love/hate relationship with a novel.
It had many of the tropes I dislike so much, but somehow I was addicted and didn't want to put the book down, which is rare. So five stars.
Now you might wonder... what are the things that annoyed you... I have a list.
-Annie was a push-over... I usually tend to despise characters who let themselves be bullied around and with no spine. Unless there's some sort of retribution at the end. This book had not nearly enough retribution, but again somehow I found myself waiting on the interactions between Anne and her family with some sort of perverse anticipation.
-Too much self deprecation. Okay promoting a healthy body image and not saying you have to look like a model or an actress to find love. But when the self-deprecation-I'm-too-ugly-I'm-too-fat pedal is pushed over and over again, I mean, you (the reader) start to believe is true. Especially because half the trick of being beautiful is feeling beautiful!
-Some things were too grit for me. I'm saying Mini Pony and nothing else.
-I'm not sure I'm even right, but I think Austen and Anne talked to each other a total of 3 maybe 4 times in the whole book. We know everything going on inside Anne's head, but I needed more interaction.
-
But again, as much as I want to shake my head I can't. The book did its job, it kept me glued to the pages, it didn't want to be put down. I guess this is my first love/hate relationship with a novel.
July 12, 2017
This review can be found at https://sarahsvignettes.wordpress.com/
One of the things I love about book blogging is having the opportunity to read books that, pre-blogger life, I probably would not have chosen to read. Persuading Austen is one of them. I would have thought that it wasn't for me. Well, how wrong could I have been. It made me laugh out loud. It made me cry. It made me empathise. It made me sympathise. It made me happy. It made me sad. I absolutely loved it!
Persuading Austen is a modern day version of Jane Austen's Persuasion. It follows Annie Elliott, who by day is a Production Accountant/Producer and very in control, and by night is a skivvy and worthless to her family, as she takes on the role of film producer on a remake of Pride and Prejudice. This should be the job of her dreams except the love of her life, Austen, once a penniless and unknown actor and now the most sough-after man in Hollywood, is cast as Mr Darcy. He is also the one that got away 8 years earlier. Just like in the original, the story is told from Annie's point of view and we follow her on her journey, listening to her internal thoughts and feelings about her family, her job and Austen.
I think it is brave to take such a Classic and make it contemporary. Brigid Coady has done this so well, sticking to the main plot points and throwing in some twists and turns which kept me reading. As I got further into Persuading Austen, I forgot that it was based on a classic, and the story took on a new form, gained it's own identity.
Brigid Coady's writing is super - it is real and from the heart. There is so much humour too! This all allowed for the story to flow really well and I finished the book in 2 days (that's quick for me!).
There are some fabulous scenes in this book and great characters. Some who were amusing and some who were annoying - just like in real life! I don't want to say any more as I don't want to give away any spoilers.
Persuading Austen is a book which left me smiling and happy at the end of it - and what a wonderful feeling that was.
I read an Advanced Review Copy of this book from HQ Digital in return for an honest review.
One of the things I love about book blogging is having the opportunity to read books that, pre-blogger life, I probably would not have chosen to read. Persuading Austen is one of them. I would have thought that it wasn't for me. Well, how wrong could I have been. It made me laugh out loud. It made me cry. It made me empathise. It made me sympathise. It made me happy. It made me sad. I absolutely loved it!
Persuading Austen is a modern day version of Jane Austen's Persuasion. It follows Annie Elliott, who by day is a Production Accountant/Producer and very in control, and by night is a skivvy and worthless to her family, as she takes on the role of film producer on a remake of Pride and Prejudice. This should be the job of her dreams except the love of her life, Austen, once a penniless and unknown actor and now the most sough-after man in Hollywood, is cast as Mr Darcy. He is also the one that got away 8 years earlier. Just like in the original, the story is told from Annie's point of view and we follow her on her journey, listening to her internal thoughts and feelings about her family, her job and Austen.
I think it is brave to take such a Classic and make it contemporary. Brigid Coady has done this so well, sticking to the main plot points and throwing in some twists and turns which kept me reading. As I got further into Persuading Austen, I forgot that it was based on a classic, and the story took on a new form, gained it's own identity.
Brigid Coady's writing is super - it is real and from the heart. There is so much humour too! This all allowed for the story to flow really well and I finished the book in 2 days (that's quick for me!).
There are some fabulous scenes in this book and great characters. Some who were amusing and some who were annoying - just like in real life! I don't want to say any more as I don't want to give away any spoilers.
Persuading Austen is a book which left me smiling and happy at the end of it - and what a wonderful feeling that was.
I read an Advanced Review Copy of this book from HQ Digital in return for an honest review.
June 10, 2019
Mon avis en Français
My English review
Ca faisait très longtemps que je n’avais pas relu une reprise de Jane Austen, alors quand j’ai vu le roman, je me suis dit que c’était une bonne occasion pour découvrir une nouvelle histoire avec une auteure que je ne connaissais pas encore.
Annie Elliot est épanouie dans sa vie professionnelle, mais sa vie familiale est un désastre. Oui, parce qu’elle est le souffre-douleur de sa famille et elle est obligée de tout faire pour eux sans qu’ils ne lui montrent la moindre gratitude et en plus, ils dépensent tout son argent. Ce n’est vraiment pas facile et Annie ne parvient jamais à dire non. Pourtant, une opportunité professionnelle va se présenter et notre héroïne va peut-être arriver à évoluer ! Mais sa vie tourne au cauchemar quand elle doit travailler avec Austen Wentworth, l’homme à qui elle a brisé et qui lui a brisé le cœur des années auparavant. Leurs rencontres ne seront pas simples, ça il faut bien le dire.
J’ai vraiment passé un très bon moment avec ce roman. Si le début m’a beaucoup fait penser à Cendrillon, on retrouve très vite le cadre d’Orgueil et Préjugés et j’ai trouvé que les idées de l’auteure étaient vraiment bien trouvées. C’était aussi une histoire très touchante et si on a envie qu’Annie se rebelle enfin, j’ai eu mal au cœur à plusieurs reprises.
C’était une reprise de Jane Austen très sympa qui m’a emportée du début à la fin. Une bonne découverte.
My English review
Ca faisait très longtemps que je n’avais pas relu une reprise de Jane Austen, alors quand j’ai vu le roman, je me suis dit que c’était une bonne occasion pour découvrir une nouvelle histoire avec une auteure que je ne connaissais pas encore.
Annie Elliot est épanouie dans sa vie professionnelle, mais sa vie familiale est un désastre. Oui, parce qu’elle est le souffre-douleur de sa famille et elle est obligée de tout faire pour eux sans qu’ils ne lui montrent la moindre gratitude et en plus, ils dépensent tout son argent. Ce n’est vraiment pas facile et Annie ne parvient jamais à dire non. Pourtant, une opportunité professionnelle va se présenter et notre héroïne va peut-être arriver à évoluer ! Mais sa vie tourne au cauchemar quand elle doit travailler avec Austen Wentworth, l’homme à qui elle a brisé et qui lui a brisé le cœur des années auparavant. Leurs rencontres ne seront pas simples, ça il faut bien le dire.
J’ai vraiment passé un très bon moment avec ce roman. Si le début m’a beaucoup fait penser à Cendrillon, on retrouve très vite le cadre d’Orgueil et Préjugés et j’ai trouvé que les idées de l’auteure étaient vraiment bien trouvées. C’était aussi une histoire très touchante et si on a envie qu’Annie se rebelle enfin, j’ai eu mal au cœur à plusieurs reprises.
C’était une reprise de Jane Austen très sympa qui m’a emportée du début à la fin. Une bonne découverte.
July 22, 2017
This is based on Persuasion by Jane Austen.
Annie Elliot is a TV producer, and has wound up being responsible for the welfare of her father and sister after her mother died. Her family are all involved in showbiz in one way or another. Annie gets a huge opportunity that could mean a big break for her small company - a major producing role in an adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. There's only one issue - Austen Wentworth, the new Mr. Darcy, is the man Annie left behind 8 years before in order to look after her family.
Throw in a creepy cousin, a mole on set, money issues and - eh- ponies, and Annie has to decide once and for all if she's strong enough to finally follow her own dream.
I really, really enjoyed this book. I loved Annie and I loved that her whole success or failure didn't depend on a man. She needed to grow and find a voice, and I was rooting for her the whole way. While I hadn't read Persuasion, a quick glance at the blurb suggests that fans of the novel might like this if they like adaptations.
I read this curled up on the couch with the rain lashing on the window - absolutely perfect. A sweet read with depth and charm.
Thanks to HQ Digital on NetGalley for granting me approval to read a digital copy. This in no way influences my review (have a click on my review-copy shelf if you don't believe me).
I'll be looking out for this author again.
Annie Elliot is a TV producer, and has wound up being responsible for the welfare of her father and sister after her mother died. Her family are all involved in showbiz in one way or another. Annie gets a huge opportunity that could mean a big break for her small company - a major producing role in an adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. There's only one issue - Austen Wentworth, the new Mr. Darcy, is the man Annie left behind 8 years before in order to look after her family.
Throw in a creepy cousin, a mole on set, money issues and - eh- ponies, and Annie has to decide once and for all if she's strong enough to finally follow her own dream.
I really, really enjoyed this book. I loved Annie and I loved that her whole success or failure didn't depend on a man. She needed to grow and find a voice, and I was rooting for her the whole way. While I hadn't read Persuasion, a quick glance at the blurb suggests that fans of the novel might like this if they like adaptations.
I read this curled up on the couch with the rain lashing on the window - absolutely perfect. A sweet read with depth and charm.
Thanks to HQ Digital on NetGalley for granting me approval to read a digital copy. This in no way influences my review (have a click on my review-copy shelf if you don't believe me).
I'll be looking out for this author again.
November 29, 2018
1.5 stars
This book could have been so good. The author clearly can write and there were quite a few clever ideas in there. All of it wasted. I will write more later.
This book could have been so good. The author clearly can write and there were quite a few clever ideas in there. All of it wasted. I will write more later.
August 17, 2017
3.5*
https://greatreadsandtealeaves.blogsp...
My Thoughts
‘Who are you living for, Anne? You or them?’ She could still hear Austen saying it. And she knew that he meant it because he called her Anne. And she still couldn’t answer that question eight years later.’
Anything ‘Austen’ captures my attention, so this book came on my radar and what a bit of fun it proved to be - a great and much needed weekend escape. A modern retelling of Jane Austen’s ‘Persuasion’ with a touch of ‘Pride and Prejudice’ thrown in for good measure.
One aspect I particularly enjoyed was how the author kept most of the key scenes from the original but put a contemporary twist on them. The storyline was most definitely recognisable, yet Coady did not let it dominate. I loved the ending and how everything was nicely bought together - yes the romance - but with the two leads only trading a few lines in real time (there are flashbacks), it was more about the lead character and her journey. Her success in life was her decisions - not a knight in shining armour - so you witnessed her grow and discover her own voice.
‘Over eight years what had she learned? Nothing. Not one single thing except how to keep on allowing her family to squeeze and mould her into the gaps in their lives. She hadn’t been living; she had been merely existing.’
Being ‘chick lit’ you have to make some concessions. For example, the family will grate on your nerves (‘Sometimes she felt like David Attenborough hiding in the undergrowth, and trying to work out what made them tick’), Annie’s inner dialogue will make you want to shake her at times and some parts are just way out of the ball park - three words for you who will read it - My Little Pony! Wow! At times a bit repetitive - I would love to know on how many occasions the author wrote ‘eight years ago’ - GAH! However, you have to take the good with the bad and it being so light and entertaining compensated for these drawbacks.
This was a fun read. I appreciated the Austen references eg. ‘Northanger Agency’ and there are some funny moments with enough romance but not overbearingly so. I found it to be fast-paced, whizzing through it over a weekend - pure fun and escapism.
‘ You are too generous to trifle with me. If your feelings are still what they were last April, tell me so at once. My affections and wishes are unchanged, but one word from you will silence me on this subject for ever…’
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release
https://greatreadsandtealeaves.blogsp...
My Thoughts
‘Who are you living for, Anne? You or them?’ She could still hear Austen saying it. And she knew that he meant it because he called her Anne. And she still couldn’t answer that question eight years later.’
Anything ‘Austen’ captures my attention, so this book came on my radar and what a bit of fun it proved to be - a great and much needed weekend escape. A modern retelling of Jane Austen’s ‘Persuasion’ with a touch of ‘Pride and Prejudice’ thrown in for good measure.
One aspect I particularly enjoyed was how the author kept most of the key scenes from the original but put a contemporary twist on them. The storyline was most definitely recognisable, yet Coady did not let it dominate. I loved the ending and how everything was nicely bought together - yes the romance - but with the two leads only trading a few lines in real time (there are flashbacks), it was more about the lead character and her journey. Her success in life was her decisions - not a knight in shining armour - so you witnessed her grow and discover her own voice.
‘Over eight years what had she learned? Nothing. Not one single thing except how to keep on allowing her family to squeeze and mould her into the gaps in their lives. She hadn’t been living; she had been merely existing.’
Being ‘chick lit’ you have to make some concessions. For example, the family will grate on your nerves (‘Sometimes she felt like David Attenborough hiding in the undergrowth, and trying to work out what made them tick’), Annie’s inner dialogue will make you want to shake her at times and some parts are just way out of the ball park - three words for you who will read it - My Little Pony! Wow! At times a bit repetitive - I would love to know on how many occasions the author wrote ‘eight years ago’ - GAH! However, you have to take the good with the bad and it being so light and entertaining compensated for these drawbacks.
This was a fun read. I appreciated the Austen references eg. ‘Northanger Agency’ and there are some funny moments with enough romance but not overbearingly so. I found it to be fast-paced, whizzing through it over a weekend - pure fun and escapism.
‘ You are too generous to trifle with me. If your feelings are still what they were last April, tell me so at once. My affections and wishes are unchanged, but one word from you will silence me on this subject for ever…’
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release
July 20, 2017
Title: Persuading Austen
Author: Brigid Coady
Publisher: HQ Digital
Release Date: July 18, 2017
Rating: 3/5
*Review copy received via Netgalley
I am immediately drawn to pretty much anything Jane Austen related, so modern day retellings are my addiction. Upon reading the summary for Persuading Austen, I was intrigued and the novel itself was quite cute. It soon becomes apparent that despite the book revolving around making Pride and Prejudice into a movie, the story is a retelling of Persuasion (hence title). The similarities from the original novel in the story line/plot/characters to those who are familiar with it will appreciate the creative liberties the author has taken to modernize the classic tale.
I personally found the story entertaining can I was invested, but the family was almost too much to bear! I couldn't stand any of them. The author did a stellar job crafting quite unlikeable and annoyance inducing family members of for the MC. In regard to the romantic element of this story, I felt that the love interest could have been, well, in more of the book. I thought the story relied a little too heavily in their past relationship as a connection instead of showing the reader the bridge to a new and stronger one. Of course, I did like what there was of it, but I thought it could have been explored a little more.
A cute and modern day retelling of Persuasion for Austen and contemporary lovers that uses word play to evoke all your Jane Austen nostalgia.
Author: Brigid Coady
Publisher: HQ Digital
Release Date: July 18, 2017
Rating: 3/5
*Review copy received via Netgalley
I am immediately drawn to pretty much anything Jane Austen related, so modern day retellings are my addiction. Upon reading the summary for Persuading Austen, I was intrigued and the novel itself was quite cute. It soon becomes apparent that despite the book revolving around making Pride and Prejudice into a movie, the story is a retelling of Persuasion (hence title). The similarities from the original novel in the story line/plot/characters to those who are familiar with it will appreciate the creative liberties the author has taken to modernize the classic tale.
I personally found the story entertaining can I was invested, but the family was almost too much to bear! I couldn't stand any of them. The author did a stellar job crafting quite unlikeable and annoyance inducing family members of for the MC. In regard to the romantic element of this story, I felt that the love interest could have been, well, in more of the book. I thought the story relied a little too heavily in their past relationship as a connection instead of showing the reader the bridge to a new and stronger one. Of course, I did like what there was of it, but I thought it could have been explored a little more.
A cute and modern day retelling of Persuasion for Austen and contemporary lovers that uses word play to evoke all your Jane Austen nostalgia.
July 5, 2017
Awesome, awesome, awesome! I’m a huge fan of the classics and even more so when they’re reworked into modern day! This if you will, is a modern day version of Jane Austen’s Persuasion.
Based around our main character Annie, a downtrodden accountant who’s family treat her like a skivvy, she has deep aspirations for more from life. She longs to be a producer so when oppurtunity knocks, Annie runs…only to find herself face to face with ex boyfriend and now Hollywood film star Austen Wentworth. As always there will be no spoilers in my review, just know that its an enjoyable journey watching Annie come out from behind the shadows of her family members. I finished it less than a day, ALWAYS a sign of a good book! It flowed well, the characters were easy to get to grips with, some likeable, some you wanted to slap! Obviously true to real life!
“For Annie it was as if in that brief instant there were two Austens in the room. There was the younger less polished boyish man who’d loved her all that time ago and then this older, harder, hewn man. And then the two images clipped together, became congruent. As if the older had swallowed the younger”
For fans of Paige Toon, Sophie Kinsella and Lindsey Kelk, this will most definitely be your thing! A perfect and well timed holiday read!
***ARC provided by Netgalley in return for an honest review***
Based around our main character Annie, a downtrodden accountant who’s family treat her like a skivvy, she has deep aspirations for more from life. She longs to be a producer so when oppurtunity knocks, Annie runs…only to find herself face to face with ex boyfriend and now Hollywood film star Austen Wentworth. As always there will be no spoilers in my review, just know that its an enjoyable journey watching Annie come out from behind the shadows of her family members. I finished it less than a day, ALWAYS a sign of a good book! It flowed well, the characters were easy to get to grips with, some likeable, some you wanted to slap! Obviously true to real life!
“For Annie it was as if in that brief instant there were two Austens in the room. There was the younger less polished boyish man who’d loved her all that time ago and then this older, harder, hewn man. And then the two images clipped together, became congruent. As if the older had swallowed the younger”
For fans of Paige Toon, Sophie Kinsella and Lindsey Kelk, this will most definitely be your thing! A perfect and well timed holiday read!
***ARC provided by Netgalley in return for an honest review***
July 5, 2017
Anne Elliott has spent much of her life looking after her father and sisters after her mother's death. They are dismissive and don't respect her.
Anne's dream job is to be a producer and she is excited when she lands her first job on a remake of Pride and Prejudice. That excitement turns to nerves when she finds out Mr. Darcy will be played by her ex Austen Wentworth who is one of Hollywood's biggest names.
I love modern retellings of Jane Austen books, but have never read Persuasion, the one Persuading Austen is based on.
Anne's struggles with her family and self esteem ring true. It didn't feel overdone and my heart felt for her as she tried to overcome her own doubts and the way others treated her.
There are some insights into Austen and Anne's past relationship. I liked that they were interspersed throughout instead of as a prologue or section of one chapter. It felt more authentic that Anne would be remembering things at different times.
I think my favorite part was the ending as everything comes together and you can see the growth in Anne and appreciate her journey!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Anne's dream job is to be a producer and she is excited when she lands her first job on a remake of Pride and Prejudice. That excitement turns to nerves when she finds out Mr. Darcy will be played by her ex Austen Wentworth who is one of Hollywood's biggest names.
I love modern retellings of Jane Austen books, but have never read Persuasion, the one Persuading Austen is based on.
Anne's struggles with her family and self esteem ring true. It didn't feel overdone and my heart felt for her as she tried to overcome her own doubts and the way others treated her.
There are some insights into Austen and Anne's past relationship. I liked that they were interspersed throughout instead of as a prologue or section of one chapter. It felt more authentic that Anne would be remembering things at different times.
I think my favorite part was the ending as everything comes together and you can see the growth in Anne and appreciate her journey!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 26, 2017
What do you do when someone comes up with a modern take on Persuasion, your favourite Jane Austen.
Well in this case, you laugh and chuckle all the way through. I really enjoyed Persuading Austen - and particularly in seeing how Ms Coady wove the corresponding elements of the original into her witty take.
Re-writing Jane Austen is a very fashionable thing to do this year, and there are some mighty contributors to the canon. Persuading Austen can stand up with any of them!
Well drawn and sympathetic characters and a pacy read to boot. Highly recommended,
Well in this case, you laugh and chuckle all the way through. I really enjoyed Persuading Austen - and particularly in seeing how Ms Coady wove the corresponding elements of the original into her witty take.
Re-writing Jane Austen is a very fashionable thing to do this year, and there are some mighty contributors to the canon. Persuading Austen can stand up with any of them!
Well drawn and sympathetic characters and a pacy read to boot. Highly recommended,
December 24, 2017
Annie Elliot doesn't quite know who she is. She knows who her family think she is, and who she wants to be, but who she is now, is stuck. While she was busy dealing with her melodramatic family, the ex-love of her life, Austen Wentworth, was becoming the hottest star in Hollywood. When Annie finally gets the chance of her dreams to produce a film, she jumps at the chance, until she realises that it will also involve her family and the return of her ex. A recipe for disaster, surely?
I am notoriously uber-picky about chick lit, but god, this book is so good. Thank you to Netgalley for the chance to read it. I love a pseudo-filmmaking setting, I love Annie's over the top family, and I love Austen Wentworth. (I also very much love the 1d references. Every time I think they can't get better THEY DO.)
A contemporary retelling of Persuasion, this book is absolutely delicious. I was rooting so hard for Annie and Austen to stop being idiots!! You love each other dammit!!! A highly recommended summer read.
I am notoriously uber-picky about chick lit, but god, this book is so good. Thank you to Netgalley for the chance to read it. I love a pseudo-filmmaking setting, I love Annie's over the top family, and I love Austen Wentworth. (I also very much love the 1d references. Every time I think they can't get better THEY DO.)
A contemporary retelling of Persuasion, this book is absolutely delicious. I was rooting so hard for Annie and Austen to stop being idiots!! You love each other dammit!!! A highly recommended summer read.
July 14, 2017
emerald book review-----》
“Love doesn’t really exist in time and space. I think it sits apart under different laws. What can seem like a mere moment in real time might feel like an aeon when you are in love, and when you’ve lost that love it can be an eternity.”
It wasn’t until I was in my late teens, that I was able to fully immerse myself in, and therefore appreciate the romance and intricate beauty of Jane Austen’s writings. Fortunately for me, it took only a day to fully comprehend the stunning ability author Brigid Coady has, in extracting every emotion imaginable out of her reader, as she creates a wonderful love story, featuring all things Austen- the drama, the romance, the lingering looks and social intricacies of the acting world and Hollywood elite, the pride of some characters and the prejudices of others (ha, see what I did there).
For me there is nothing quite like the angst, the overwhelming anxiety, uncertainty and passion involved in a second-chance romance. It’s a lethal combination of understanding the love, upset and hurt that came before, as well as experiencing that re-connection, sizzling tension and the realisation that that level and depth of feeling doesn’t simply dissipate- even after eight years.
Our heroine Anne, is a wonderful protagonist. She is so frustratingly real. Insecure, timid, trapped inside a cold isolated prison of her own making. At the same time she has this incredible intelligence, compassion and strength to her- she is a walking contradiction and to me those are the best kinds of heroines. The ones that aren’t cookie-cutter perfect, where every thought and action has them portrayed as some kind of Snow White princess. I want flawed, imperfect but striving to be better and with Anne that is exactly what I got. She quite literally stole the show for me in Persuading Austen.
Austen, as our talented Hollywood hero was a bit of an enigma. As the story is told from Anne’s point of view, I felt like I never really got to know Austen, except for snippets regarding their entwined pasts, yet at the same time, I think that dark, brooding, stoic persona helped elevate his swoony romantic character, simply because you were feeling and thinking precisely what Anne was, deciphering those glances or nuances of speech or long complicated silences. The sexual tension was insurmountable, yet in the entirety of the whole book both hero and heroine hardly ever touch and it’s all thanks to the superb writing of Brigid Coady.
This is a sparkling, tension filled, heartbreaking romance with a unique twist on Austen’s works. It will have your tummy somersaulting with lovely butterflies, your nails gnawed off in anxiety, your eyeballs popping with frustration, your heart beating double-time in happiness and your body relaxing in a swoon-worthy sigh.
‘“She was Anne and Annie. Annie-magus and Annie-matronic. And maybe in time she’s have different roles and identities but at the core she was herself and asl long as she remembered that she wouldn’t get lost again. And it didn’t matter if her outside didn’t fit some prescribed ideal. She was who she was.”’
“Love doesn’t really exist in time and space. I think it sits apart under different laws. What can seem like a mere moment in real time might feel like an aeon when you are in love, and when you’ve lost that love it can be an eternity.”
It wasn’t until I was in my late teens, that I was able to fully immerse myself in, and therefore appreciate the romance and intricate beauty of Jane Austen’s writings. Fortunately for me, it took only a day to fully comprehend the stunning ability author Brigid Coady has, in extracting every emotion imaginable out of her reader, as she creates a wonderful love story, featuring all things Austen- the drama, the romance, the lingering looks and social intricacies of the acting world and Hollywood elite, the pride of some characters and the prejudices of others (ha, see what I did there).
For me there is nothing quite like the angst, the overwhelming anxiety, uncertainty and passion involved in a second-chance romance. It’s a lethal combination of understanding the love, upset and hurt that came before, as well as experiencing that re-connection, sizzling tension and the realisation that that level and depth of feeling doesn’t simply dissipate- even after eight years.
Our heroine Anne, is a wonderful protagonist. She is so frustratingly real. Insecure, timid, trapped inside a cold isolated prison of her own making. At the same time she has this incredible intelligence, compassion and strength to her- she is a walking contradiction and to me those are the best kinds of heroines. The ones that aren’t cookie-cutter perfect, where every thought and action has them portrayed as some kind of Snow White princess. I want flawed, imperfect but striving to be better and with Anne that is exactly what I got. She quite literally stole the show for me in Persuading Austen.
Austen, as our talented Hollywood hero was a bit of an enigma. As the story is told from Anne’s point of view, I felt like I never really got to know Austen, except for snippets regarding their entwined pasts, yet at the same time, I think that dark, brooding, stoic persona helped elevate his swoony romantic character, simply because you were feeling and thinking precisely what Anne was, deciphering those glances or nuances of speech or long complicated silences. The sexual tension was insurmountable, yet in the entirety of the whole book both hero and heroine hardly ever touch and it’s all thanks to the superb writing of Brigid Coady.
This is a sparkling, tension filled, heartbreaking romance with a unique twist on Austen’s works. It will have your tummy somersaulting with lovely butterflies, your nails gnawed off in anxiety, your eyeballs popping with frustration, your heart beating double-time in happiness and your body relaxing in a swoon-worthy sigh.
‘“She was Anne and Annie. Annie-magus and Annie-matronic. And maybe in time she’s have different roles and identities but at the core she was herself and asl long as she remembered that she wouldn’t get lost again. And it didn’t matter if her outside didn’t fit some prescribed ideal. She was who she was.”’
June 10, 2019
3,5 / 5
Austen Wentworth, c'est le nom de ce bel acteur en vogue, dont toutes les filles rêvent mais qu'Annie essaie d'éviter à tout prix depuis qu'ils se sont mutuellement brisés le coeur huit ans auparavant. Mais alors qu'elle accepte enfin le job de ses rêves en devenant productrice sur une nouvelle adaptation d'Orgueil et Préjugés, elle apprend également que l'acteur qui a été choisi pour jouer Darcy n'est nul autre que son ancien fiancé.
J'ai trouvé la transposition dans le milieu du cinéma très pertinente. Ça fonctionne parfaitement, autant avec l'orgueil et le snobisme du père qui est ici acteur de théâtre, qu'avec le nouveau statut très convoité de Frederick/Austen. En revanche, que tout l'entourage d'Anne se retrouve subitement engagé dans la même mini-série, c'est un peu plus difficile à avaler mais on fait avec.
Le caractère d'Anne et son évolution sont également bien traités, avec ce nouveau poste de productrice qui lui donne de l'assurance en même temps que de l'épaisseur au personnage. Cela permet en effet de découvrir ses différentes facettes car si elle cède toujours tout à sa famille tyrannique, elle n'en est pas moins une femme intelligente et compétente et je suis ravie que l'auteur n'en est pas fait une énième cruche.
Pour le reste, sa famille est aussi révoltante que dans mon souvenir et en même temps leur côté pathétique est parfaitement préservé. J'ai aimé aussi l'apport des nouveaux personnages et la relation entre les amis d'Austen et Annie, pleine de tendresse et de soutien.
Mais, parce qu'il faut bien qu'il y en ait un puisque je n'ai pas mis la note maximum à ce roman, il y a d'autres petites choses qui m'ont gênées, à commencer par sa relation avec son cousin. Un numéro de séduction s'établit entre eux et il faudra attendre quasiment la fin du livre pour qu'il soit précisé que leur lien de parenté n'est que très éloigné. Beurk. Il y a également de nombreuses petites invraisemblances ou des faits qui nous sont présentés comme tels sans explication, donnant l'impression que l'auteur n'avait pas forcément envie de se creuser la tête pour trouver comment adapter tel ou tel aspect de l'oeuvre originale. Enfin, et c'est bien sûr le plus décevant, la relation entre Annie et Austen n'a pas vraiment fait battre mon coeur. Ça manque de finesse, de profondeur et d'une petite touche de magie il me semble...
Si vous lisez en anglais, je vous conseille Persuading Annie et Persuade Me qui sont également des adaptations modernes de Persuasion et qui, pour moi, reste un cran au-dessus.
http://janeausten.hautetfort.com/arch...
Austen Wentworth, c'est le nom de ce bel acteur en vogue, dont toutes les filles rêvent mais qu'Annie essaie d'éviter à tout prix depuis qu'ils se sont mutuellement brisés le coeur huit ans auparavant. Mais alors qu'elle accepte enfin le job de ses rêves en devenant productrice sur une nouvelle adaptation d'Orgueil et Préjugés, elle apprend également que l'acteur qui a été choisi pour jouer Darcy n'est nul autre que son ancien fiancé.
J'ai trouvé la transposition dans le milieu du cinéma très pertinente. Ça fonctionne parfaitement, autant avec l'orgueil et le snobisme du père qui est ici acteur de théâtre, qu'avec le nouveau statut très convoité de Frederick/Austen. En revanche, que tout l'entourage d'Anne se retrouve subitement engagé dans la même mini-série, c'est un peu plus difficile à avaler mais on fait avec.
Le caractère d'Anne et son évolution sont également bien traités, avec ce nouveau poste de productrice qui lui donne de l'assurance en même temps que de l'épaisseur au personnage. Cela permet en effet de découvrir ses différentes facettes car si elle cède toujours tout à sa famille tyrannique, elle n'en est pas moins une femme intelligente et compétente et je suis ravie que l'auteur n'en est pas fait une énième cruche.
Pour le reste, sa famille est aussi révoltante que dans mon souvenir et en même temps leur côté pathétique est parfaitement préservé. J'ai aimé aussi l'apport des nouveaux personnages et la relation entre les amis d'Austen et Annie, pleine de tendresse et de soutien.
Mais, parce qu'il faut bien qu'il y en ait un puisque je n'ai pas mis la note maximum à ce roman, il y a d'autres petites choses qui m'ont gênées, à commencer par sa relation avec son cousin. Un numéro de séduction s'établit entre eux et il faudra attendre quasiment la fin du livre pour qu'il soit précisé que leur lien de parenté n'est que très éloigné. Beurk. Il y a également de nombreuses petites invraisemblances ou des faits qui nous sont présentés comme tels sans explication, donnant l'impression que l'auteur n'avait pas forcément envie de se creuser la tête pour trouver comment adapter tel ou tel aspect de l'oeuvre originale. Enfin, et c'est bien sûr le plus décevant, la relation entre Annie et Austen n'a pas vraiment fait battre mon coeur. Ça manque de finesse, de profondeur et d'une petite touche de magie il me semble...
Si vous lisez en anglais, je vous conseille Persuading Annie et Persuade Me qui sont également des adaptations modernes de Persuasion et qui, pour moi, reste un cran au-dessus.
http://janeausten.hautetfort.com/arch...
July 9, 2017
PERSUASION is my favorite Jane Austen, and I'm a perpetual sucker for a good retelling. This one fit the bill nicely, with its crazy family dynamics, banter between friends, a swoon-worthy romance, and the ultimate hope of second chances. The second half, in particular, establishes a good pacing and makes Annie's struggles about much more than simply finding a lost love. Her journey weaves in the pain of losing a parent, family money troubles, and what it means to support the people we love--how much can we sacrifice personal dreams in the face of these things? Ultimately, it's a fun story of a woman coming into her own and discovering what she wants. And the romance definitely gave my heart a good squeeze!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 13, 2018
2.5/5
This is hard to rate, overall I enjoyed the way the story was modernized but I couldn’t handle Anne Elliot. For 90% of the book she was just pathetic like utterly useless and extremely unlikeable. She essentially ruined the book bc it took way too long for her to stand up to basically everyone and I didn’t see enough to make me think that she had rekindled her love with Wentworth. And then it just ends that’s it.... and the way she caves... lord I couldn’t handle it. Even the epilogue includes her family - was that supposed to be a joke?? Her family is literally the most horrible terrible people that have ever existed and I think way worst than the original... also I was very surprised by Aunt Lily’s role. ( not in a good way)
But I did finish it in a few hours 🤷🏻♀️
This is hard to rate, overall I enjoyed the way the story was modernized but I couldn’t handle Anne Elliot. For 90% of the book she was just pathetic like utterly useless and extremely unlikeable. She essentially ruined the book bc it took way too long for her to stand up to basically everyone and I didn’t see enough to make me think that she had rekindled her love with Wentworth. And then it just ends that’s it.... and the way she caves... lord I couldn’t handle it. Even the epilogue includes her family - was that supposed to be a joke?? Her family is literally the most horrible terrible people that have ever existed and I think way worst than the original... also I was very surprised by Aunt Lily’s role. ( not in a good way)
But I did finish it in a few hours 🤷🏻♀️
July 21, 2017
You could read this as a second chance romance but it's really pretty darn good fangirl fiction based on Persuasion. I liked both Anne and Austen; not so much some of the other characters (but that's sort of the point.). I really enjoyed this because it was funny, light, and yet more mature than a lot of the romances on the market. Thumbs up to Coady for updating the tale to Hollywood, which is just so perfect. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Try this one if you like Austen (and are open to this sort of thing), if you've never read Austen or if you're just looking for a good well told story.
July 18, 2017
This is a great book with a wonderful story and well developed characters. The story flowed very well and was very enjoyable. This book will keep you reading long into the night and you will not want to put this book down until you finish. This was such a great read and full of surprises. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader’s copy of this book. The free book held no determination on my personal review.
July 10, 2017
This is one of the good books I've read from NetGalley after awhile.... This was amazing. The character development and the emotional depth of the book was beyond words. I wanted to read few lines and then go to sleep yesterday but I ended up finishing it staying till 2.26a.m. (yes I checked the time). Didn't yawn one single time and didn't feel the time going by. Loved it!
July 31, 2017
I often shy away from Austen reboots but this came highly recommended so I gave it a go. I'm so glad I did because it was just wonderful. From the perfect casting to the modern reworking of *that* letter, Coady got it just spot on and her Wentworth almost stole my heart as much as the original Captain. Bravo. Five big stars!!
October 24, 2017
I thought this was a cute retelling of Persuasion.
September 10, 2019
http://www.my-bo0ks.com/2019/09/auste...
Fan d’Orgueil et Préjugés, je ne pouvais pas passer à côté de Austen Wentworth, qui est une réécriture de Persuasion de Jane Austen et aborde également Orgueil et Préjugés dans son histoire. Autant vous dire que mes attentes étaient là et je n'avais qu'une envie, me plonger dans ce roman et découvrir la plume de l'auteure, Brigid Coady.
Pour la petite histoire, nous suivons, Annie, une jeune femme pleine de volonté mais qui se retrouve bien souvent à ne pas avoir son mot à dire, alors quand elle devient la productrice d'une énième adaptation d’Orgueil et Préjugés, c'est un peu le début d'un rêve... ou d'un cauchemar. D'abord parce que son ex à le rôle titre mais aussi parce sa famille n'est jamais loin.
Lorsque j'ai commencé ma lecture je m'attendais vraiment à adorer du début à la fin cette histoire. Je n'ai pas encore lu Persuasion, mais je ne manquerais pas de le faire dès que le temps me le permettra. Du coup, je n'avais pas de comparaison à faire avec cette réécriture. Malheureusement, j'ai vite senti que Austen Wentworth ne se passerait pas comme je l'espérais.
L’héroïne, Annie ne m'a absolument pas convaincue. A vrai dire, si au début j'avais de la peine pour elle, à se faire marcher sur les pieds, subir les critiques incessantes de sa famille, j'ai ensuite éprouvé beaucoup de colère vis-à-vis d'elle. J'avais envie d'entrer dans le livre et la secouer une bonne fois pour toute. Non vraiment, même moi, qui n'aime pas les conflits, j'aurais vite réagis face à ce qu'elle endure avec eux. Sa famille est antipathique et vraiment détestable.
La romance tant attendue n'est finalement pas vraiment présente en tout cas, au moment où se déroule l'histoire. Car nos personnages, Annie et Austen ont un passif. J'aurais aimé découvrir ce fameux passé d'une autre façon. Peut-être une première partie à cette époque et une seconde dans le présent . Mais non, ici, ce sont des flash-back et honnêtement, c'est compliqué de suivre cette évolution. Par moment, je relisais plus haut pour être sur de bien comprendre où on se trouvait. C'est dommage, car cette relation avait tout pour me plaire mais n'a pas su faire décoller l'histoire ni même mon intérêt.
Le fond de l'histoire a de quoi donner envie au lecteur d'en savoir plus puisqu'on découvre un peu l'envers du décor sur un plateau de tournage, les procédures, les complications liées aux acteurs, mais quand on accroche dès le début et que la suite ne tient pas spécialement ses promesses, on ne peut que sauver les meubles.
Honnêtement, j'ai trouvé Austen Wentworth extrêmement long. Plus j'avançais dans ma lecture et plus je décrochais. Je suis au final très déçue de ma lecture et m'attendais à mieux.
Fan d’Orgueil et Préjugés, je ne pouvais pas passer à côté de Austen Wentworth, qui est une réécriture de Persuasion de Jane Austen et aborde également Orgueil et Préjugés dans son histoire. Autant vous dire que mes attentes étaient là et je n'avais qu'une envie, me plonger dans ce roman et découvrir la plume de l'auteure, Brigid Coady.
Pour la petite histoire, nous suivons, Annie, une jeune femme pleine de volonté mais qui se retrouve bien souvent à ne pas avoir son mot à dire, alors quand elle devient la productrice d'une énième adaptation d’Orgueil et Préjugés, c'est un peu le début d'un rêve... ou d'un cauchemar. D'abord parce que son ex à le rôle titre mais aussi parce sa famille n'est jamais loin.
Lorsque j'ai commencé ma lecture je m'attendais vraiment à adorer du début à la fin cette histoire. Je n'ai pas encore lu Persuasion, mais je ne manquerais pas de le faire dès que le temps me le permettra. Du coup, je n'avais pas de comparaison à faire avec cette réécriture. Malheureusement, j'ai vite senti que Austen Wentworth ne se passerait pas comme je l'espérais.
L’héroïne, Annie ne m'a absolument pas convaincue. A vrai dire, si au début j'avais de la peine pour elle, à se faire marcher sur les pieds, subir les critiques incessantes de sa famille, j'ai ensuite éprouvé beaucoup de colère vis-à-vis d'elle. J'avais envie d'entrer dans le livre et la secouer une bonne fois pour toute. Non vraiment, même moi, qui n'aime pas les conflits, j'aurais vite réagis face à ce qu'elle endure avec eux. Sa famille est antipathique et vraiment détestable.
La romance tant attendue n'est finalement pas vraiment présente en tout cas, au moment où se déroule l'histoire. Car nos personnages, Annie et Austen ont un passif. J'aurais aimé découvrir ce fameux passé d'une autre façon. Peut-être une première partie à cette époque et une seconde dans le présent . Mais non, ici, ce sont des flash-back et honnêtement, c'est compliqué de suivre cette évolution. Par moment, je relisais plus haut pour être sur de bien comprendre où on se trouvait. C'est dommage, car cette relation avait tout pour me plaire mais n'a pas su faire décoller l'histoire ni même mon intérêt.
Le fond de l'histoire a de quoi donner envie au lecteur d'en savoir plus puisqu'on découvre un peu l'envers du décor sur un plateau de tournage, les procédures, les complications liées aux acteurs, mais quand on accroche dès le début et que la suite ne tient pas spécialement ses promesses, on ne peut que sauver les meubles.
Honnêtement, j'ai trouvé Austen Wentworth extrêmement long. Plus j'avançais dans ma lecture et plus je décrochais. Je suis au final très déçue de ma lecture et m'attendais à mieux.
August 5, 2017
Thank you to NetGalley, HQ Digital and the other Brigid for allowing to me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
I didn't warm to this book at all. I am not sure if it is because I haven't read 'Persuasion' and therefore cant relate to it, or whether my dislike for the main character completely turned me off it.
For someone like me who is headstrong and independent, I just cant abide characters that are push overs or allow themselves to be completely abused...... which is exactly what happens in this book.
The overall plot was nice and it did have some funny parts in it, but this book just wasn't for me.
I didn't warm to this book at all. I am not sure if it is because I haven't read 'Persuasion' and therefore cant relate to it, or whether my dislike for the main character completely turned me off it.
For someone like me who is headstrong and independent, I just cant abide characters that are push overs or allow themselves to be completely abused...... which is exactly what happens in this book.
The overall plot was nice and it did have some funny parts in it, but this book just wasn't for me.
February 23, 2018
Ok. I love, LOVE, Persuasion retellings because 1) second chances? 2) I’ll never forget you?. Also, I love a good Hollywood/film atmosphere on books.
The thing that I was like... “is this for real?” are ALL THE ONE DIRECTION REFERENCES.
- Diana Tomlinson?
- Olivia Styles? They’re together?
- Harry and “Lewis”? Together?
- Neil Horan the bottled blonde Irish lighting technician?
- Liam the vocalist of the couple’s favorite band?
- WHERE’S ZAYN???
- Dan Wattpan from the Daily something..
I too was on the One Direction bandwagon. I KNOW THE STUFF.
I liked the real time 2010s references to be honest. Lovely book overall. I’ll always love these two 😭💜 (Annie + Wentworth)
The thing that I was like... “is this for real?” are ALL THE ONE DIRECTION REFERENCES.
- Diana Tomlinson?
- Olivia Styles? They’re together?
- Harry and “Lewis”? Together?
- Neil Horan the bottled blonde Irish lighting technician?
- Liam the vocalist of the couple’s favorite band?
- WHERE’S ZAYN???
- Dan Wattpan from the Daily something..
I too was on the One Direction bandwagon. I KNOW THE STUFF.
I liked the real time 2010s references to be honest. Lovely book overall. I’ll always love these two 😭💜 (Annie + Wentworth)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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