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The Art of Persuasion
If Jane Austen was twenty-five today would she be a greenie or a member of the Young Liberals? Probably neither. But for twenty-five-year-old Hazel, reading the classics starting with A is a way to pass the time while jobless and plotless.A chance encounter with an irresistible older man provides a much needed distraction. When Hazel is partnered with him on a political campaign, her attraction is deepened by the strength of his convictions. Adam seems to be attracted to her too - but why can't she persuade him to embark upon romance? And what does Jane Austen have to teach a young woman about life, love and literature in the 21st century anyway?
- GenresFiction
244 pages, ebook
Published April 1, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
January 14, 2018
2.5* It took me a while to get into this book, which made the short novel seem a lot longer. A lot of the beginning of the book seemed quite contrived to me, and I felt like Hazel was a pretty bland character standing in for strong ideals and opinions on politics, literature and her own generation of 20-somethings. Parts of the novel read like an essay, with Hazel spouting perfectly formed and articulated opinions like she was reading from a text book. The interactions didn't feel real to me and I didn't especially care whether or not Hazel ended up with her story-book cutout older love interest. I also felt that the romance arc was far too rushed for the length of the book, and tied up in a frustratingly neat bow.
All that said, I didn't hate it. It was well written, a fairly light and easy read and would make a good holiday read, but as a Jane Austen fan I was dissapointed that it referenced her work at all. Perhaps it's because I have little interest in politics, but I found it awkwardly didactic, without any of Austen's subtlety. I wanted to love this book, and the cover is gorgeous, but it just wasn't what I wanted it to be.
All that said, I didn't hate it. It was well written, a fairly light and easy read and would make a good holiday read, but as a Jane Austen fan I was dissapointed that it referenced her work at all. Perhaps it's because I have little interest in politics, but I found it awkwardly didactic, without any of Austen's subtlety. I wanted to love this book, and the cover is gorgeous, but it just wasn't what I wanted it to be.
October 11, 2018
A contemporary romance with plenty of humour, politics and literature, and two very likeable characters at its heart.
May 25, 2018
'Finished the book' meaning I couldn't tolerate reading it much longer! People have a go at religion saying it's the opium of the masses. Well I'd say politics is the pipe!
Okay rant over... I'm sure some would have liked the originality of the story. But I found Hazel annoying and pompous. Disappointed I bought it, rather than borrowing from the library 😒
Okay rant over... I'm sure some would have liked the originality of the story. But I found Hazel annoying and pompous. Disappointed I bought it, rather than borrowing from the library 😒
June 26, 2018
It's been a while since I've given up on a book. But sitting in an airport on page 50/200 I realised I was just annoying myself to keep reading.
The novel is not without some witty charms. But it's a bit pretentious for me. If you like characters who are obnoxiously well read and speak in philosophical terms then please enjoy.... I'm going to go read the actual Persuasion
The novel is not without some witty charms. But it's a bit pretentious for me. If you like characters who are obnoxiously well read and speak in philosophical terms then please enjoy.... I'm going to go read the actual Persuasion
March 18, 2019
The Art of Persuasion is the life lit debut novel of Australian author, Susan Midalia. Chosen my book club after meeting the author last year, I was excited to get to know the protagonist, Hazel. Told in the third person, Midalia lightly and deftly interweaves seemingly heavy themes of politics, youth and teaching for an easy read.
At 25 years old, Hazel is living in Perth, Western Australia. Hazel is an intelligent woman who I did admire despite her tendency to ramble on. Like Hazel, I live in Perth so it was lovely being able to picture the city and it’s surrounding suburbs as Hazel went about her daily life, often using public transport. Hazel’s life isn’t much to speak of initially as she is unemployed and looking for a job after quitting teacher. While on the job hunting trail, Hazel decides to read the classics, including that of Jane Austen herself. This was one of the initial reasons that The Art of Persuasion appealed to me. Besides a brief mention at the beginning and end of the novel of a classic or two, nothing more is said. This was the most disappointing aspect of the book for me as I was expecting so much more.
During this phase of her life, Hazel meets an older man, the lovely, Adam. I liked Adam. He is quiet, well mannered and understands Hazel’s ramblings! In his 40s, there is an immediate connection between them, despite their age gap. So much so that Hazel joins the Greens political party under his influence. Door knocking with Hazel and Adam was an eye opening experience, to say the least. People were rude, argumentative and not interested. It’s a tough gig and walking in their shoes made me appreciate the many difficulties people experience. It’s during this time that Hazel makes the decision to return to relief teaching. As a primary school teacher, I could relate to the issues that Midalia brought to the table through Hazel…from disrespectful students to the stifling, and often irrelevant, curriculum. It also made me thankful that I’m not a high school teacher! Adam appears to reciprocate Hazel’s feelings but he has hidden depths that Hazel wasn’t prepared for, including his young son, Jessie.
Jessie was the most beautiful character, with his candour and love of life. In some ways, Jessie reminded me of an old soul with his wise words. Another character that made an impact was Hazel’s best friend, Beth. Beth is the opposite to Hazel in many ways; she is blunt, outgoing and optimistic. Like the classic reference, Beth disappears, only to resurface at the end. I would have loved to have gotten to know Beth as I felt as she added spark to Hazel’s life. At the of the day this is Hazel’s story and questions will be answered. Will her love of teaching return? Will she be able to persuade Adam that they belong together?
#AWWC12#
At 25 years old, Hazel is living in Perth, Western Australia. Hazel is an intelligent woman who I did admire despite her tendency to ramble on. Like Hazel, I live in Perth so it was lovely being able to picture the city and it’s surrounding suburbs as Hazel went about her daily life, often using public transport. Hazel’s life isn’t much to speak of initially as she is unemployed and looking for a job after quitting teacher. While on the job hunting trail, Hazel decides to read the classics, including that of Jane Austen herself. This was one of the initial reasons that The Art of Persuasion appealed to me. Besides a brief mention at the beginning and end of the novel of a classic or two, nothing more is said. This was the most disappointing aspect of the book for me as I was expecting so much more.
During this phase of her life, Hazel meets an older man, the lovely, Adam. I liked Adam. He is quiet, well mannered and understands Hazel’s ramblings! In his 40s, there is an immediate connection between them, despite their age gap. So much so that Hazel joins the Greens political party under his influence. Door knocking with Hazel and Adam was an eye opening experience, to say the least. People were rude, argumentative and not interested. It’s a tough gig and walking in their shoes made me appreciate the many difficulties people experience. It’s during this time that Hazel makes the decision to return to relief teaching. As a primary school teacher, I could relate to the issues that Midalia brought to the table through Hazel…from disrespectful students to the stifling, and often irrelevant, curriculum. It also made me thankful that I’m not a high school teacher! Adam appears to reciprocate Hazel’s feelings but he has hidden depths that Hazel wasn’t prepared for, including his young son, Jessie.
Jessie was the most beautiful character, with his candour and love of life. In some ways, Jessie reminded me of an old soul with his wise words. Another character that made an impact was Hazel’s best friend, Beth. Beth is the opposite to Hazel in many ways; she is blunt, outgoing and optimistic. Like the classic reference, Beth disappears, only to resurface at the end. I would have loved to have gotten to know Beth as I felt as she added spark to Hazel’s life. At the of the day this is Hazel’s story and questions will be answered. Will her love of teaching return? Will she be able to persuade Adam that they belong together?
#AWWC12#
October 8, 2018
Potential. This author reeks of potential. Susan Midalia has a fine way with words as she reverses the old trope of men of a certain age and their Peter Pan Syndrome. The author's heroine is preying on an older guy, but he's playing hard to get. He's refusing to succumb to her youth and winsome charm, although her approaches, admittedly tentative, should make it all too obvious to discern what she is after. She wants him, boy does she want him – and for most of the duration the reader is unsure whether she will succeed or be thwarted.
A book by Jane Austin brings the couple together on a Perth train – thus the title. She's made a commitment to herself to read the author's lesser known works. Of course, in a crowd, Adam is easy for her to pick out as he too is perusing a tome rather than a hand-held device. They query each other on their chosen reading matter and away we go – except this is a slow-burner. He has baggage and Adam, contrary to popular expectation, feels the age difference should be respected. How long can he hold out? He is a staunch supporter of the Greens, so this gives the girl another portal into his world.
I did relish 'The Art of Persuasion'. Hazel, being a failed teacher, was someone I could relate to as my chosen profession was never all beer and skittles either. Her tale emphasises the difficulties facing young teachers embarking on this testing vocation. But, as she eventually discovers, there are joys to be had within it as well - even if some of what occurs in her classroom stretches credulity. This is the author's first novel and for my taste there is a bit too much riffing on various issues close to the hearts of true Greens. This concern, though, only marginally detracts from the essential loveliness of the product of Midalia's efforts. This reader really wanted to put a bomb under Adam, telling him that he'll regret, long term, rejecting what Hazel was trying to hand to him on a platter. We want to give his five year old son a cuddle as he is a lovely creation from the writer and we should feel a cheer coming on as our young lady finally, courageously makes some progress with the art of teaching. She begins to meet her students head on and finds that works.
Hazel, as well as the reluctant Adam, worm their way into our hearts and any author able to do that with their characters is one to watch for the future.
April 29, 2018
"The Art of Persuasion" by Susan Midalia, published by Fremantle Press, is this author's first novel, having written award winning short story collections previously. It's a book lover's book, because of the nods to other literature, specifically Jane Austen, but also makes wry and tongue-in-cheek references to groups of people we sometimes either ignore or feel superior to. Youth, politics, love, ideology and ageing are among some of the themes in this slim novel. I loved it and recommend it as a meditation on contemporary West Australian life.
Hazel is twenty five years old, unemployed, and has made ‘an ethical decision not to reproduce.’ Ethics are important to Hazel; she was raised by card-carrying leftist parents and door knocks for the Greens in Perth’s leafy Western suburbs. She also wishes the kind, dishy, and much older Adam would return her affections. Hazel’s best friend and flatmate, Beth, has found another girl she’d rather hang out with, and Hazel’s pedantry and love of Jane Austen cannot sustain her forever. In this smart, funny novel, Susan Midalia engages the reader with warmth and wit while never losing sight of the uncomfortable truths that haunt us as Western Australians. She writes about complicity and complacency, isolation and attachment, privilege and poverty, challenging us to consider what it means to live in our world as we do.
Hazel is twenty five years old, unemployed, and has made ‘an ethical decision not to reproduce.’ Ethics are important to Hazel; she was raised by card-carrying leftist parents and door knocks for the Greens in Perth’s leafy Western suburbs. She also wishes the kind, dishy, and much older Adam would return her affections. Hazel’s best friend and flatmate, Beth, has found another girl she’d rather hang out with, and Hazel’s pedantry and love of Jane Austen cannot sustain her forever. In this smart, funny novel, Susan Midalia engages the reader with warmth and wit while never losing sight of the uncomfortable truths that haunt us as Western Australians. She writes about complicity and complacency, isolation and attachment, privilege and poverty, challenging us to consider what it means to live in our world as we do.
July 3, 2018
What a gorgeous book! A thoroughly modern love story, without a hint of schmaltz. Hazel is a wonderful protagonist - a young women who is finding her way but never once concedes her principles. I enjoyed the way Midalia wove literature and politics into the plot. Great also to read a book set firmly in Perth.
I powered through this, and didn't want to put it down. I felt sad to leave Hazel and her friends when I turned the last page.
I powered through this, and didn't want to put it down. I felt sad to leave Hazel and her friends when I turned the last page.
Read
May 7, 2018Warm, biting, funny, compelling. I loved it.
March 29, 2024
I really enjoyed this book; the writing was beautiful, and I enjoyed reading the perspective of a character using the train line in Perth. It is a book based around Perth, and the author is from Wheatbelt. I felt so seen, haha.
The gap of unemployment the protagonist had before she landed a role she never thought she would do again has given me hope, lol. No, but in saying all this, I did not find this book "too political", as many of the reviews said. It is a work of fiction in someone's world of trying to justify the balance of where they stand. And I especially appreciated the character for recognising the importance of talking to your neighbours and classmates to learn more about the world. For the author to write about Afghan students, their goals and their background. as an Afghan living in Perth, it was lovely to be recognised differently without the jab of underlying remarks.
A good quick read
The gap of unemployment the protagonist had before she landed a role she never thought she would do again has given me hope, lol. No, but in saying all this, I did not find this book "too political", as many of the reviews said. It is a work of fiction in someone's world of trying to justify the balance of where they stand. And I especially appreciated the character for recognising the importance of talking to your neighbours and classmates to learn more about the world. For the author to write about Afghan students, their goals and their background. as an Afghan living in Perth, it was lovely to be recognised differently without the jab of underlying remarks.
A good quick read
March 2, 2025
I have my Mum to thank for this one. She found it on a discount table of books and gave it to me. I’m very glad I decided to give it a go. Susan Midalia is a local Australian author and the book, set in Perth, is a lovely mix of politics, romance and sad girl novel. I really enjoyed its easy pace and the hope the story gives you.
At times it was easy to tell it was published in 2018, but it wasn’t really an issue. It was also sometimes a bit idealistic, maybe unrealistic, but if you can suspend disbelief it will take you on an enjoyable journey.
Recommend you give it a try! Given it’s a debut novel I’ll see what else Susan Midalia has written since.
At times it was easy to tell it was published in 2018, but it wasn’t really an issue. It was also sometimes a bit idealistic, maybe unrealistic, but if you can suspend disbelief it will take you on an enjoyable journey.
Recommend you give it a try! Given it’s a debut novel I’ll see what else Susan Midalia has written since.
January 30, 2019
Really enjoyed this book! Thought Hazel was a wonderful lead, I liked that she didn't hide how smart she was and spoke quite academically. While the book scared me slightly for the profession I'm studying for I like that it didn't sugarcoat teaching too. This was an enjoyable read and I enjoyed the romance between Hazel and Adam. It was also nice to read a book set here in Australia and with some politics sprinkled in. Will be recommending to friends for sure.
May 14, 2019
I did expect this to be more of a tribute to Austen which is why I picked it up. Persuasion was discussed, that story (one of my favourites) faded into the background as I read about Hazel. With a federal election this week, this felt timely and I appreciated how Hazel grew and learned as well as taught throughout this novel. A brilliant first novel.
Read
January 21, 2024DNF p.22
The characters met so far are horrible, vacuous and mean. The writing is breezy and banal. Dialogue is on the nose. And yet, the people at Fremantle Press loved it enough to publish it. Just goes to show there is a book for everyone—this one’s just not for me.
The characters met so far are horrible, vacuous and mean. The writing is breezy and banal. Dialogue is on the nose. And yet, the people at Fremantle Press loved it enough to publish it. Just goes to show there is a book for everyone—this one’s just not for me.
Read
March 16, 2026Straight woman.
Older widow with a young child.
I nearly didn't finish this book when her nipples became electric from looking at him, but I persevered and was pleasantly surprised. Not a lot happens, but in Perth nothing ever does so it was true to type.
Older widow with a young child.
I nearly didn't finish this book when her nipples became electric from looking at him, but I persevered and was pleasantly surprised. Not a lot happens, but in Perth nothing ever does so it was true to type.
June 4, 2018
this was not what I was expecting
December 3, 2018
A sweet and funny love story. Loved the Perth setting
February 1, 2019
Interesting... (more to come)
April 29, 2026
A very good read. Fresh, open and honest. Above all, a genuine reflection on life in our changed world.
December 5, 2018
I too loved the Perth setting and I enjoyed the read. Found the references to the ups and downs of teaching amusing.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews