Persuasion

by Gill Tavner (Adapter), Jane Austen, Ann Kronheimer (Illustrator)

Eight years ago, Anne Elliot was persuaded that her family's honour was more important than her own happiness. She has suffered ever since. Now the man she turned away has returned. Can Captain Wentworth forgive Anne, or will he be charmed instead by the beautiful Louisa? Will Anne be persuaded to marry her cousin, or will she find the strength to follow her heart? The extravagance of Anne's foolish father, the greedy plotting of false friends, and a near-fatal accident bring danger into Anne's safe world. Their hearts assailed by resentment, regrets and rivals, can Anne and Captain Wentworth now reach across the void that separates them to love each other again?

Baker Street Readers are retellings of literary classics in 64 pages, with illustrations. These books make classic stories available to intelligent young readers as a bridge to the full texts and to language students wanting access to other cultures. 

Genres: Fiction, Classics

64 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1817

Reviews

[Cindy aka "The Book Fairy" · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very abridged version that I decided to pick up and read to just get the "gist" of what happened basically in case I decided to watch the movie perhaps. Short and sweet is what I sometimes go for with oodles of books galore to be enjoyed. The social customs of the early 1800s were a lot to be desired in many ways...no daughter could inherit the family money, only a male relative....rather stuffy living it seems.... Jane Austen appeared as a witty observer of life and perhaps a bit of rebel in her time. ** I have read some of Jane's novels in normal, not as abridged versions** ;)

[Madeleine Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly a good stand in for the real book. Still told in an “old English” style and done very well. Very helpful for my bookclub 🤪

[Mirs Ortega · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good adaptation

[Eliza · Rating 5 out of 5]

My mom bought me Gill Tavner's Real Reads adaptations of Persuasion and Pride and Prejudice when I was 10 years old. I can't overstate the influence that they've had on my life.

This adaptation keeps in the key plot points and manages to keep the melancholic and wistful tone of Austen's original text. It is an accessible and concise retelling that encourages young readers to engage with a classic. The material at the back also prompts further discussion about the themes and historical context of the book.

Persuasion is still my favourite Austen novel. And 12 years later, I often joke that it's entirely my mom's fault that her daughter ended up becoming a Jane Austen obsessed English Lit major in university. I will be passing these books down to my own girls when they're old enough.

[Tim B · Rating 4 out of 5]

This let me in on a little more of the story, but get much more rushed and lacking in detail than the Mansfield Park. Also, I cannot believe that Wentworth’s letter was changed. It only took out a few lines, but isn’t that the most iconic part of the book? All in all, a good introduction to the story.

[Werner Fourie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh...

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a children's version of the Jane Austen classic. It does a good job of giving an overview of the story and, even better, at the end it tells you what has been changed or been left out. It is apparently one of a series by this publisher.

[Lucilletln · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jane Austen.....A Classic ....5 Stars.....Enough said.....

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, I admit it. I started reading this twice. 19th Century English Literature was not my normal type of read, but I was curious to see what all the fuss was about. Initially I struggled to understand the English dialect and was confused in the first few pages by one character's love interest in a cousin. I questioned whether or not I was reading it correctly. However in 19th century Europe, this was indeed considered a suitable match and very much acceptable. My brain, you see, was still in the 21st century and therefore, not fully comprehending something the United States deems quite unacceptable. Then one day I was home sick and I caught the movie Pride and Prejudice, released in 2005. I really enjoyed it. By watching that movie first, I grasped a better feel for the language and time period. So a couple days later with that movie still fresh in my head, I jumped right back in to Persuasion. And guess what? This time I read completely through it, and did enjoy it. A love story interjecting some amusing satire, I can now understand why there are so many fans of Jane Austen's works.