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Jane Austen #6
Possibilities
Bestselling author Debra White Smith’s popular Austen series has a new addition—a contemporary story based on Jane Austen’s Persuasion. Allie Ellen is the daughter of a respected, wealthy southern family who owns a plantation. Frederick Wently has no money and plans to join the Air Force. When the two meet, they feel a deep attraction. But Allie’s unsentimental aunt dissuades her from the relationship—so when Frederick proposes, Allie runs off. Years later, Allie and Frederick find themselves in the same city once again. But other love interests and Frederick’s bitterness from their earlier break up may keep them apart. Will forgiveness and hope erase the memories of the past in time for Allie and Frederick to have a future?
312 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2006
92 people are currently reading
512 people want to read
About the author
Debra White Smith
67 books106 followersDebra White Smith is a seasoned Christian author, speaker, and media personality who has been regularly publishing books for over a decade. In the last twelve years, she has accumulated more than 55 books sales to her credit with more than 1 million books in print. Her titles include such life-changing books as Romancing Your Husband, Romancing Your Wife, The Divine Romance: Developing Intimacy with God, the The Lonestar Intrigue fiction series, and The Jane Austen fiction series.
As a woman of God, Debra is committed to the highest standards of integrity and to spending hours a week being still before the Father, staying in tune with Him, and listening for His voice of direction in all she does. This commitment to romancing the Lord, coupled with her lifestyle of devouring, analyzing, and dissecting the Word of God has allowed God to bring about a miracle of deliverance and healing in Debra's spirit, mind, and soul. Debra holds a double Ph.D. from the toughest schools in the world. The first Ph.D. from the "School of Hard Knocks" and the second, from the "School of Very Hard Knocks." Aside from that, she holds an M.A. in English from the University of Texas.
Along with Debra's being voted a fiction-reader favorite several times, her book Romancing Your Husband was a finalist in the 2003 Gold Medallion Awards. And her Austen Series novel First Impressions was a finalist in the 2005 Retailer's Choice Awards. Debra has been a popular media guest across the nation, including Fox TV, The 700 Club, ABC Radio, USA Radio Network, and Moody Broadcasting. Her favorite hobbies include fishing, bargain-hunting, and swimming with her family. Debra also vows she would walk 50 miles for a scoop of German chocolate ice cream.
As a woman of God, Debra is committed to the highest standards of integrity and to spending hours a week being still before the Father, staying in tune with Him, and listening for His voice of direction in all she does. This commitment to romancing the Lord, coupled with her lifestyle of devouring, analyzing, and dissecting the Word of God has allowed God to bring about a miracle of deliverance and healing in Debra's spirit, mind, and soul. Debra holds a double Ph.D. from the toughest schools in the world. The first Ph.D. from the "School of Hard Knocks" and the second, from the "School of Very Hard Knocks." Aside from that, she holds an M.A. in English from the University of Texas.
Along with Debra's being voted a fiction-reader favorite several times, her book Romancing Your Husband was a finalist in the 2003 Gold Medallion Awards. And her Austen Series novel First Impressions was a finalist in the 2005 Retailer's Choice Awards. Debra has been a popular media guest across the nation, including Fox TV, The 700 Club, ABC Radio, USA Radio Network, and Moody Broadcasting. Her favorite hobbies include fishing, bargain-hunting, and swimming with her family. Debra also vows she would walk 50 miles for a scoop of German chocolate ice cream.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
April 10, 2011
It's hard to rate a book like this. It's a rewrite of my favorite classic Jane Austen novel, and it is doubly rewritten to appeal to a Christian female audience. I am the target audience for the book, but I'm also a discriminating reader.
This book was awful.
The characters were completely unbelievable. Allie (the contemporary version of Anne Elliot) had all the personality of wet tissues, which she uses copiously during her six or so crying jags throughout the book. She is a weepy heroine who takes little to no action for herself. Anne of the original novel could not take action because of the culture of the time, but her character does not translate well to contemporary society. Allie comes off as a weak-willed spendthrift despite supposedly having more sense than her family members. She also can't figure out how to put a box in front of a broken pet door so a raccoon can't get into her house. She borders on too-stupid-to-live tropes.
The love interest, Frederick, is not a man. He is a late middle-aged, conservative woman wearing a man suit. He thinks nothing but wholesome thoughts and fantasizes about giving lectures to young, silly teens on how to dress modestly, drive safely, and respect themselves. He is a far cry from the objectified manly-man in most romance books but he's still revolting. He is a war hero and somehow that makes him "famous" in the book, but I doubt most people are even aware of Silver Star recipients nowadays, let alone chase after them as marriage prospects.
The evil characters of Macy (Mary Elliot) and Evelyn (Elizabeth Elliot) are mean, stupid, and petulant because they are, that's all. The degree to which they are overbearing and petty makes them loathsome, but their abuse is supposed to make the heroine sympathetic for dealing with them. It doesn't work. Sisters Helena (Henrietta) and Louise (Louisa) are trashy, flirtatious, gold-digging, and uncontrollably idiotic. They were wild in the original Persuasion, but not to this extent.
The main solution to the problem of unruly girls is to get them married. That's it. Our hero Frederick comes up with the solution and it works! Yay! Hooray for sensible men turning their unruly girls into respectable wives. Barf.
The love story isn't. It was hokey, and the long, heartwarming speech at the end dragged out the ending until I was just skimming to reach the end of it.
The language of the book is silly. It was written by an older woman, and it shows. Where was the editor to check all this drivel? "Mid-drift" shirts rather than midriff, sweaters too tight to breathe in (How is this possible? They stretch), characters wearing moo-moos (isn't it muumuu?), everyone wears "spike heels" and pantsuits, every piece of clothing gets described even if it's only a "cotton shirt," characters describe each item of makeup they are wearing, someone rents a Mustang Thunderbird(?) despite being a "granny driver," everyone is coated in diamonds to make them sound rich, and THE ACCENTS... OHMYGOSH, the accents. Anytime a Southern word is written phonetically, it is painful to read. "I nevah knew your fathah was evah here," something like that. Even worse is the Russian-ish maid at the end who says "Dis is not vour day." NO ONE TALKS LIKE THAT.
This book really didn't have any redeeming qualities. As a translation of Persuasion, it was terrible. Even the Christian message was about as satisfying as watered-down skim milk.
Skip it. Find something better, like Liz Curtis Higgs or Francine Rivers.
This book was awful.
The characters were completely unbelievable. Allie (the contemporary version of Anne Elliot) had all the personality of wet tissues, which she uses copiously during her six or so crying jags throughout the book. She is a weepy heroine who takes little to no action for herself. Anne of the original novel could not take action because of the culture of the time, but her character does not translate well to contemporary society. Allie comes off as a weak-willed spendthrift despite supposedly having more sense than her family members. She also can't figure out how to put a box in front of a broken pet door so a raccoon can't get into her house. She borders on too-stupid-to-live tropes.
The love interest, Frederick, is not a man. He is a late middle-aged, conservative woman wearing a man suit. He thinks nothing but wholesome thoughts and fantasizes about giving lectures to young, silly teens on how to dress modestly, drive safely, and respect themselves. He is a far cry from the objectified manly-man in most romance books but he's still revolting. He is a war hero and somehow that makes him "famous" in the book, but I doubt most people are even aware of Silver Star recipients nowadays, let alone chase after them as marriage prospects.
The evil characters of Macy (Mary Elliot) and Evelyn (Elizabeth Elliot) are mean, stupid, and petulant because they are, that's all. The degree to which they are overbearing and petty makes them loathsome, but their abuse is supposed to make the heroine sympathetic for dealing with them. It doesn't work. Sisters Helena (Henrietta) and Louise (Louisa) are trashy, flirtatious, gold-digging, and uncontrollably idiotic. They were wild in the original Persuasion, but not to this extent.
The main solution to the problem of unruly girls is to get them married. That's it. Our hero Frederick comes up with the solution and it works! Yay! Hooray for sensible men turning their unruly girls into respectable wives. Barf.
The love story isn't. It was hokey, and the long, heartwarming speech at the end dragged out the ending until I was just skimming to reach the end of it.
The language of the book is silly. It was written by an older woman, and it shows. Where was the editor to check all this drivel? "Mid-drift" shirts rather than midriff, sweaters too tight to breathe in (How is this possible? They stretch), characters wearing moo-moos (isn't it muumuu?), everyone wears "spike heels" and pantsuits, every piece of clothing gets described even if it's only a "cotton shirt," characters describe each item of makeup they are wearing, someone rents a Mustang Thunderbird(?) despite being a "granny driver," everyone is coated in diamonds to make them sound rich, and THE ACCENTS... OHMYGOSH, the accents. Anytime a Southern word is written phonetically, it is painful to read. "I nevah knew your fathah was evah here," something like that. Even worse is the Russian-ish maid at the end who says "Dis is not vour day." NO ONE TALKS LIKE THAT.
This book really didn't have any redeeming qualities. As a translation of Persuasion, it was terrible. Even the Christian message was about as satisfying as watered-down skim milk.
Skip it. Find something better, like Liz Curtis Higgs or Francine Rivers.
November 11, 2020
A fun, contemporary retelling of Persuasion.
July 18, 2022
Oh my word. This seems like a fitting way to start my review because it's apparently Debra Smith's favorite phrase and because I honestly have no idea what I just read.
I am all agony and extra agony on top. I wanted to support this, I really did, but it was a hot mess. I don't even know where to begin. The overly romanticized, flowery descriptions? The stilted language that came from what I can only assume was an attempt to sound sophisticated? The countless references to Coca-Cola? (Did they sponsor the book or something?) There are so many contenders.
I guess I'll just start from the beginning and go from there. The book opens when young Allie (Anne), has been persuaded to break up with Fredrick because family obligations > the man you met a year ago. She meets him in the park but before she can get the words out, he pulls out a ring and she, no joke, "clutches her midsection, hunches forward" and starts moaning to God for help because she is going to die. (At this point I had yet to realize this was a Christian novel and assumed she was using the Lord's name in vain, but maybe she was praying aloud?) Because that's not dramatic enough, pain starts "exploding through her spirit" (I'm not sure what that means, but it might be good to seek medical attention if that ever happens to you,) and she needs to get away from the "diamond, the man attached to it, and the pure love he offered," so she starts running away, trips over a bench, and breaks her leg just like Austen intended. End scene and on to chapter 3. I wasn't really sure how to react, so I just made a little note for myself saying "🙄🙄🙄so dramatic." At this point I really should've been clued in to what kind of book I was getting myself into, but I'm an optimist.
It all goes downhill from there.
The premise had potential. Not that a Californian knows much about the South, but it seems like it can be a decent contemporary parallel for Austen's England. Unfortunately, while Smith recreates Persuasion's plot fairly faithfully, she completely disregards the spirit of the original. Allie is sassy and snarky and a little sanctimonious at times. Don't get me wrong, I love me some snark, but it is not a good look on her. There were moments when I almost didn't want her to get back together with Fredrick; that's how bad it got. The mentions of suicidal ideation confused me greatly. I guess it makes sense in relation to Benwick, who'd been built up as a very depressed grieving man at one point, but for seems both extreme and out-of-sync with the source material. The worst part, though, was the way Debra Smith completely villianizes Louisa's character. I guess she's meant to be some sort of foil for attends-church-three-times-a-week Allie, but Louise is described as a reckless, immature "siren in hip huggers," who goes absolutely ballistic once she realizes Fredrick is not interested in her/interested in Allie. I'm talking full-on I wish were making this up, but I couldn't if I tried. I don't know what happened in the last third of the book, but the story got really crazy. Like soap opera crazy.
Basically, Ms. Smith took Austen's masterpiece and decided to rip it to shreds. Needless to say, the half-hope, half-agony scene did not make an appearance in this book. We do get an oh-so-romantic, "this isn't exactly the best place...but...oh weeeellllll" let's go to Vegas proposal. This is the stuff dreams are made of, people.
Other things that confuse me:
-There are multiple references to Fredrick being old enough to be Louise's father (there's a fifteen year age gap), but he's also intent on setting her up with his friend?
-How do we live in a day when my phone can correct my grammatical mistakes, but simple formatting mistakes in published works still get missed? Editors, people!
-What is it with the contemporary Persuasion gang and playing spoons? First Persuading the Captain and now Possibilities...
I'm not a huge Christian fiction reader. I'm all for supporting artistic believers, but, unfortunately, Christian novels have a bad reputation for being poorly written and cheesy. This is no exception. I'll just provide a small sample below:
"He didn't...hurt you in any way did he?" / "No. Not unless you count my heart."
"She felt as if she'd been given a glimpse of heaven, only to have it snatched away."
"Her lips tasted like nectar from heaven."
"Fredrick was high on love."
Smith also has some weird compulsion to use gendered terms as qualifiers:
"Allie had twirled around in the dress and hoped the feminine appeal wasn't lost on him."
"While Brent hadn't blatantly ogled her, the male appreciation in his eyes made her squirm."
"Allie's feminine alarm swung into full operation"
"The shy tilt of her head coupled with her flowing skirt and blouse increased her feminine appeal. Frederick’s adrenaline kicked up a notch and stimulated his masculine desire to protect Allie...for life."
I didn't go into to this knowing it was a Christian book, but a lot of the religious elements felt forced. It was incorporated a little more naturally towards the end of the book, but by then, it was too little too late. Allie's holier-than-thou attitude throughout most of the book leads to some derogatory comments about other women. I mean, I appreciate the attempt to show that Christians aren't perfect, happy people, but this story was a strange way to do it. Smith also makes vague references to how the kissing is making Allie/Fredrick very excited for matrimony/their honeymoon which made me slightly uncomfortable.
Really, the only enjoyable thing about this book was the on-going group chat I had going with my friends where I provided a running commentary while reading.
I am all agony and extra agony on top. I wanted to support this, I really did, but it was a hot mess. I don't even know where to begin. The overly romanticized, flowery descriptions? The stilted language that came from what I can only assume was an attempt to sound sophisticated? The countless references to Coca-Cola? (Did they sponsor the book or something?) There are so many contenders.
I guess I'll just start from the beginning and go from there. The book opens when young Allie (Anne), has been persuaded to break up with Fredrick because family obligations > the man you met a year ago. She meets him in the park but before she can get the words out, he pulls out a ring and she, no joke, "clutches her midsection, hunches forward" and starts moaning to God for help because she is going to die. (At this point I had yet to realize this was a Christian novel and assumed she was using the Lord's name in vain, but maybe she was praying aloud?) Because that's not dramatic enough, pain starts "exploding through her spirit" (I'm not sure what that means, but it might be good to seek medical attention if that ever happens to you,) and she needs to get away from the "diamond, the man attached to it, and the pure love he offered," so she starts running away, trips over a bench, and breaks her leg just like Austen intended. End scene and on to chapter 3. I wasn't really sure how to react, so I just made a little note for myself saying "🙄🙄🙄so dramatic." At this point I really should've been clued in to what kind of book I was getting myself into, but I'm an optimist.
It all goes downhill from there.
The premise had potential. Not that a Californian knows much about the South, but it seems like it can be a decent contemporary parallel for Austen's England. Unfortunately, while Smith recreates Persuasion's plot fairly faithfully, she completely disregards the spirit of the original. Allie is sassy and snarky and a little sanctimonious at times. Don't get me wrong, I love me some snark, but it is not a good look on her. There were moments when I almost didn't want her to get back together with Fredrick; that's how bad it got. The mentions of suicidal ideation confused me greatly. I guess it makes sense in relation to Benwick, who'd been built up as a very depressed grieving man at one point, but for seems both extreme and out-of-sync with the source material. The worst part, though, was the way Debra Smith completely villianizes Louisa's character. I guess she's meant to be some sort of foil for attends-church-three-times-a-week Allie, but Louise is described as a reckless, immature "siren in hip huggers," who goes absolutely ballistic once she realizes Fredrick is not interested in her/interested in Allie. I'm talking full-on I wish were making this up, but I couldn't if I tried. I don't know what happened in the last third of the book, but the story got really crazy. Like soap opera crazy.
Basically, Ms. Smith took Austen's masterpiece and decided to rip it to shreds. Needless to say, the half-hope, half-agony scene did not make an appearance in this book. We do get an oh-so-romantic, "this isn't exactly the best place...but...oh weeeellllll" let's go to Vegas proposal. This is the stuff dreams are made of, people.
Other things that confuse me:
-There are multiple references to Fredrick being old enough to be Louise's father (there's a fifteen year age gap), but he's also intent on setting her up with his friend?
-How do we live in a day when my phone can correct my grammatical mistakes, but simple formatting mistakes in published works still get missed? Editors, people!
-What is it with the contemporary Persuasion gang and playing spoons? First Persuading the Captain and now Possibilities...
I'm not a huge Christian fiction reader. I'm all for supporting artistic believers, but, unfortunately, Christian novels have a bad reputation for being poorly written and cheesy. This is no exception. I'll just provide a small sample below:
"He didn't...hurt you in any way did he?" / "No. Not unless you count my heart."
"She felt as if she'd been given a glimpse of heaven, only to have it snatched away."
"Her lips tasted like nectar from heaven."
"Fredrick was high on love."
Smith also has some weird compulsion to use gendered terms as qualifiers:
"Allie had twirled around in the dress and hoped the feminine appeal wasn't lost on him."
"While Brent hadn't blatantly ogled her, the male appreciation in his eyes made her squirm."
"Allie's feminine alarm swung into full operation"
"The shy tilt of her head coupled with her flowing skirt and blouse increased her feminine appeal. Frederick’s adrenaline kicked up a notch and stimulated his masculine desire to protect Allie...for life."
I didn't go into to this knowing it was a Christian book, but a lot of the religious elements felt forced. It was incorporated a little more naturally towards the end of the book, but by then, it was too little too late. Allie's holier-than-thou attitude throughout most of the book leads to some derogatory comments about other women. I mean, I appreciate the attempt to show that Christians aren't perfect, happy people, but this story was a strange way to do it. Smith also makes vague references to how the kissing is making Allie/Fredrick very excited for matrimony/their honeymoon which made me slightly uncomfortable.
Really, the only enjoyable thing about this book was the on-going group chat I had going with my friends where I provided a running commentary while reading.
December 31, 2020
I fully get some of the one star ratings. Some of if is just over the top. Including a lot of the Christian elements. I didn't know that this was a Christian book picking it up. Over all I had fun reading this. I didn't plan to finish it this year but I couldn't put it down because I'm trash for books like this. I will definitely be reading other books from this series.
August 23, 2018
3.5/5
This was a clean and cute retelling of Persuasion by Jane Austen. There was a faith aspect that I enjoyed as well.
This was a clean and cute retelling of Persuasion by Jane Austen. There was a faith aspect that I enjoyed as well.
August 29, 2019
I should have read more about this book before throwing it into my Book Outlet cart. I was influenced by the book cover, the extremely low price and the fact that it was a modern day adaptation of my favourite Jane Austen book, "Persuasion". I did not realize that it was actually a Christian retelling written in a very moralistic and amateurish style. There is just so much wrong with this book that I don't want to waste anymore time reviewing it here. Let's just say to anyone thinking of picking it up - don't bother!
November 11, 2020
Yeesh. My last Persuasion retelling was unfortunately raunchy, so this time, I tried one from a Christian publisher, figuring it would at least be clean. But the infantile behavior of both the main characters, the endless internal monologues on whether you can be a womanizer if you're listening to Christian radio, and the over the top emotions were all just painful. Persuasion is beautiful for its subtlety, the quiet dignity of Anne's character, and the most romantic love letter ever. All of that was missing here.
June 26, 2020
Frederick goes from promising to NEVER marry Louise, (no matter what) to agreeing to an engagement within hours, even though he didn’t love her? It doesn’t seem believable OR ‘honorable’.
Allie was a dramatic mess who made unnecessary pain for herself by running away from important conversations for no reason at all. Also, with her family being ‘on the verge of bankruptcy’, it seems ridiculous that she never worried about her spending habits.
Allie was a dramatic mess who made unnecessary pain for herself by running away from important conversations for no reason at all. Also, with her family being ‘on the verge of bankruptcy’, it seems ridiculous that she never worried about her spending habits.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 25, 2021
Jane Austen's "Persuasion" is one of my most favorite books so when I saw the descriptions I decided to check this out of the library for a fun, summer read. It's a fun read in parts, but I found I had to push myself to finish. I should know better than to read re-tellings of what I consider "perfect reads." The story is set in the U.S. in parts of Georgia and in Florida. The retelling has most of the plot elements and characters intact, except for their names. The names drove me nuts and I wished they would have had the same first names at least. Allie Elton for Anne Elliot, Frederick Wently for Frederick Wentworth, the Musgroves becoming the Groves. OK. Having a character named Sophia who also has the nickname "Annie"? No.
But I did appreciate that in updating the story the author provided her own interpretation on what was really happening in "Persuasion." She developed what the plan was for Austen's Mrs. Clay and William Elliot that Austen hints at through other characters' observations. She also developed some reasons why Austen's Mary complains of illness to get out of things, but I had thought it was for attention she wasn't receiving in full. She created the internal dialogue of Anne and Frederick to explain their actions better, with Frederick's actions being more calculated at times. All of this made my English-major heart happy, as well as the fact that this is a clean book with people who have spiritual lives that drive their purpose and action.
Things I didn't like though included 1. Stereotyping Southerners. I am not a Southerner, but the Grove sisters were a bit of the top at times with the Daisy Dukes and the way they spoke. It reminded me of Carol Burnett and Mama's Family. 2. Character I like I hated in this book. I didn't like the portrayal of the Musgrove sisters in Louise and Helena. I never saw them as anything but silly, headstrong ladies at best. They did appear to enjoy Anne in Austen's novel going so far as to still wish she'd married their brother. I would never have pictured Louisa forcing Wentworth to marry her. And 3. I did label this one "a book about beverage-obsessed Southerners." Many references to what the characters were drinking and how they drank it took up too much of the action.
But overall, this is a clean, Christian-focused read if not a bit indulgent. The emancipation of Allie Elton was wonderful to see as well as her sleuthing abilities to expose the plot to marry into Elton money.
But I did appreciate that in updating the story the author provided her own interpretation on what was really happening in "Persuasion." She developed what the plan was for Austen's Mrs. Clay and William Elliot that Austen hints at through other characters' observations. She also developed some reasons why Austen's Mary complains of illness to get out of things, but I had thought it was for attention she wasn't receiving in full. She created the internal dialogue of Anne and Frederick to explain their actions better, with Frederick's actions being more calculated at times. All of this made my English-major heart happy, as well as the fact that this is a clean book with people who have spiritual lives that drive their purpose and action.
Things I didn't like though included 1. Stereotyping Southerners. I am not a Southerner, but the Grove sisters were a bit of the top at times with the Daisy Dukes and the way they spoke. It reminded me of Carol Burnett and Mama's Family. 2. Character I like I hated in this book. I didn't like the portrayal of the Musgrove sisters in Louise and Helena. I never saw them as anything but silly, headstrong ladies at best. They did appear to enjoy Anne in Austen's novel going so far as to still wish she'd married their brother. I would never have pictured Louisa forcing Wentworth to marry her. And 3. I did label this one "a book about beverage-obsessed Southerners." Many references to what the characters were drinking and how they drank it took up too much of the action.
But overall, this is a clean, Christian-focused read if not a bit indulgent. The emancipation of Allie Elton was wonderful to see as well as her sleuthing abilities to expose the plot to marry into Elton money.
September 15, 2018
Une version de Persuasion qui respecte scrupuleusement le rythme de l'original tout en proposant une version se voulant plus contemporaine des personnages. Cependant, comme dans les précédentes réécritures, la modernité de l'ouvrage est très très modérée : le côté très propagande chrétienne du roman ramenant celui ci à des idées moyenâgeuses. En effet, Allie est juste ennuyeuse comme la pluie avec ses prières perpétuelles et son air de juger tout son entourage sans y toucher. Frederick est son pendant masculin et alors qu'ils condamnent l'un et l'autre les comportements de Louise et Helena, on est content de lire un peu de vie dans cette histoire !
Une énorme déception également pour la version "contemporaine" de la grande déclaration de Frederick qui, ici , est bien loin de la force et du romantisme de l'original.
Ce que j'aime : le rythme de l'original est respecté et l'effort de modernité présent, c'est bien écrit
Ce que j'aime moins : les prières et références à dieu qui alourdissent et étouffent le texte. La déclaration finale, extrêmement plate
En bref : Une version qui était prometteuse et qui avait du potentiel mais qui est étouffée par la propagande religieuse de l'auteure
Ma note
5/10
Une énorme déception également pour la version "contemporaine" de la grande déclaration de Frederick qui, ici , est bien loin de la force et du romantisme de l'original.
Ce que j'aime : le rythme de l'original est respecté et l'effort de modernité présent, c'est bien écrit
Ce que j'aime moins : les prières et références à dieu qui alourdissent et étouffent le texte. La déclaration finale, extrêmement plate
En bref : Une version qui était prometteuse et qui avait du potentiel mais qui est étouffée par la propagande religieuse de l'auteure
Ma note
5/10
January 29, 2018
The last book in White's Austen Series is a retelling of Persuasion by Jane Austen. With a contemporary setting and a light Christian thread, this retelling is a great conclusion to White's series.
Practical, down-to-earth Allie is the daughter of a respected gentleman farmer. Her love is gardening and landscape and her problem is she has fallen in love with the head gardner whom her father believes is no equal for his daughter. She breaks off her relationship with Frederick, and they go their separate ways. But neither of them can forget the love they had for the other. After almost 10 years pass, they reconnect; but just like in Persuasion, events try to pull them apart once again.
Smith does a great job of including the humor that takes this story in one direction after another trying to once again separate the hero and heroine. The ending was great when Allie finally asserts her independence and realizes that she has to do what is best for her not what is pleasing to her family. A romantic escapade where second chances abound and forgiveness is front and center.
I definitely recommend this entire series for anyone who loves Jane Austen's writing.
Practical, down-to-earth Allie is the daughter of a respected gentleman farmer. Her love is gardening and landscape and her problem is she has fallen in love with the head gardner whom her father believes is no equal for his daughter. She breaks off her relationship with Frederick, and they go their separate ways. But neither of them can forget the love they had for the other. After almost 10 years pass, they reconnect; but just like in Persuasion, events try to pull them apart once again.
Smith does a great job of including the humor that takes this story in one direction after another trying to once again separate the hero and heroine. The ending was great when Allie finally asserts her independence and realizes that she has to do what is best for her not what is pleasing to her family. A romantic escapade where second chances abound and forgiveness is front and center.
I definitely recommend this entire series for anyone who loves Jane Austen's writing.
July 9, 2022
I am a big Persuasion fan (while I have read the book, it is the 1995 movie I like so much). I wish this book did some of the little things different so it is hard for me to give it more than 3.5 stars.
First, there were some cheesy parts. Second, I got really bothered that Allie wasn't working and Fredrick still found that attractive. I know the author was trying to mirror the Elliots and England but the setting was America. It may just be me. Third, references to what the rich people did, I am not sure that they really do that. For example, she said Allie's clothes are from Macy's. Books I read with rich people get their clothes from Nordstroms or Saks Fifth Avenue. They don't have Mary Kay parties, they probably have designer makeup or Estee Lauder. So it broke down that they were rich enough not to do anything or snub other people like they did if they bought at stores like those.
I really did like it though and read it up while I was sick ina day. The setup was great, just wished for those little details and a little more at the ending of closure. Like see them get married in Vegas. Lol.
First, there were some cheesy parts. Second, I got really bothered that Allie wasn't working and Fredrick still found that attractive. I know the author was trying to mirror the Elliots and England but the setting was America. It may just be me. Third, references to what the rich people did, I am not sure that they really do that. For example, she said Allie's clothes are from Macy's. Books I read with rich people get their clothes from Nordstroms or Saks Fifth Avenue. They don't have Mary Kay parties, they probably have designer makeup or Estee Lauder. So it broke down that they were rich enough not to do anything or snub other people like they did if they bought at stores like those.
I really did like it though and read it up while I was sick ina day. The setup was great, just wished for those little details and a little more at the ending of closure. Like see them get married in Vegas. Lol.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 15, 2018
If you are going to read a retelling of a Jane Austen book you need to read this one. Possibilities is a modern telling of Austen Persuasion. If you have read Persuasion or if you haven't you will love this charming second chance romance.
This book centers around Allie Elton a daughter from a wealthy, prominent family and Frederick a handsome hardworking young man. They fell in love and were torn apart due to family obligations.
This book is such a classic two people from two different worlds falling in love. This book is about second chances and a journey of how two people find their way back to one another despite circumstances and people.
I loved this book, I loved the characters, the romance and the journey. Austen built the great foundation for a timeless love story and Debra White Smith gave it this beautiful and enchanting modern twist. I loved every minute of this one!
This book centers around Allie Elton a daughter from a wealthy, prominent family and Frederick a handsome hardworking young man. They fell in love and were torn apart due to family obligations.
This book is such a classic two people from two different worlds falling in love. This book is about second chances and a journey of how two people find their way back to one another despite circumstances and people.
I loved this book, I loved the characters, the romance and the journey. Austen built the great foundation for a timeless love story and Debra White Smith gave it this beautiful and enchanting modern twist. I loved every minute of this one!
November 12, 2020
I picked this book up and had it finished in 3.5 days. This is the modern version of “Persuasion” by Jane Austen. I first read Smith’s modern day version of Emma and really enjoyed it! So I figured I had to read more of the modern versions by her and have now read the 3 that correspond to the so-far-read of Austen as well: Persuasion, P&P, and Emma.
On the back cover of this story where the summary is, I found a typo in a name (as in an incorrect name) and a few scattered in the story, but not enough to affect my rating. There were some cliches and it got frustrating at times when I felt like it should be easily resolved, but overall... I thought the story was well written and plotted out. I’m sure it’s hard to take an already storyline and change it to something of our day and do it well—which I believe this author did do well!
On the back cover of this story where the summary is, I found a typo in a name (as in an incorrect name) and a few scattered in the story, but not enough to affect my rating. There were some cliches and it got frustrating at times when I felt like it should be easily resolved, but overall... I thought the story was well written and plotted out. I’m sure it’s hard to take an already storyline and change it to something of our day and do it well—which I believe this author did do well!
June 8, 2024
It’s very hard to write a modern version of Austen’s stories because the world is so different now…and because they are classics. However, this book was a fairly good modern twist on Persuasion. I especially liked being able to read the thoughts and emotions behind the two main characters’ choices. They were believable and relatable. What I didn’t like was how the two young (Musgrove) sisters were portrayed as horribly spoiled, selfish, mean flirts. (In Austen’s story they were flirtatious but also good-hearted.) I also thought it was ridiculous and unrealistic that he would agree to marry the stupid girl out of guilt. Aside from how that particular situation was handled, I thought the story and characters were well done, and I enjoyed it overall.
June 1, 2022
Very Enjoyable!
Good book! I really enjoyed reading this contemporary version of "Persuasion." You mostly see Pride & Prejudice" adaptations, so its nice to see one of Jane Austen's other books getting some attention. I really liked Allie & Frederick's story ... So sweet yet so many twists & turns, just as in the original book. Louisa Musgrove's character is CRAZY in this version. I felt very sorry for Frederick having to put up with her shenanigans.
If you are a Jane Austen fan and like her book "Persuasion," I believe you'll really enjoy this modern day retelling. Highly recommended!
Good book! I really enjoyed reading this contemporary version of "Persuasion." You mostly see Pride & Prejudice" adaptations, so its nice to see one of Jane Austen's other books getting some attention. I really liked Allie & Frederick's story ... So sweet yet so many twists & turns, just as in the original book. Louisa Musgrove's character is CRAZY in this version. I felt very sorry for Frederick having to put up with her shenanigans.
If you are a Jane Austen fan and like her book "Persuasion," I believe you'll really enjoy this modern day retelling. Highly recommended!
September 28, 2020
I have read one other Persuasion adaptation and one movie version.
I have yet to read the original Jane Austen.
I thought this was a sweet story about fighting and hoping for love no matter the odds.
I love the theme of second chances. I enjoyed the tension of how the characters both had to overcome their insecurities and be bold.
I liked the parallels that were made with the original story line.
There were parts that I feel the romance kind of lagged a bit.
However it had a sweet ending.
While not my favorite adaptation of this story, it was enjoyable.
I have yet to read the original Jane Austen.
I thought this was a sweet story about fighting and hoping for love no matter the odds.
I love the theme of second chances. I enjoyed the tension of how the characters both had to overcome their insecurities and be bold.
I liked the parallels that were made with the original story line.
There were parts that I feel the romance kind of lagged a bit.
However it had a sweet ending.
While not my favorite adaptation of this story, it was enjoyable.
December 27, 2021
DNF!! I usually love Jane Austen retellings but I couldn't even finish the book. I don't mind christian themes but the main character was annoyingly self-righteous. I stopped reading when he became engaged to the person he vehemently refused to date. She had a tantrum and he felt guilty for her accident so he gave in. He was the worst character and didn't resemble Frederick from the Persuasion. Cringe worthy read.
July 21, 2017
I never watched or read the Jane Austen story Persuasion so I didn't know how this story was going to be. To me I had to put it down too many times because I was frustrated at how childish the characters were behaving. I have loved her other stories. This one I didn't like. I didn't dislike it enough to not find out the ending but I wouldn't choose to read it again.
January 6, 2019
This book was amazing! I became so invested with each character as the story progressed. this was heart wrenching and while thrilling. I now want to read others from her collection as well as the originals. Great job Debra!
April 18, 2020
Fun Retelling
This was a fun retelling of Persuasion. Debra White Smith did a good job with updating the story and moving it into a modern setting, yet keeping the essence of it. It made me want to go back and reread the original story.
This was a fun retelling of Persuasion. Debra White Smith did a good job with updating the story and moving it into a modern setting, yet keeping the essence of it. It made me want to go back and reread the original story.
October 10, 2020
I thought this book was a light, fun read. As an Austen fan, I enjoy thinking about how the story could appear in a modern context, and this book does it well. It follows very closely “Persuasion” as well. Not my favorite Austen adaptation, but a fun read nonetheless.
February 28, 2021
Oh the things persuasion makes us do
Allie is persuaded by duty and love. This retelling of Austin's Persuasion has you wondering what next could happen to persuade Allie and the members of her family to make the choice for the central characters' happiness.
Allie is persuaded by duty and love. This retelling of Austin's Persuasion has you wondering what next could happen to persuade Allie and the members of her family to make the choice for the central characters' happiness.
May 4, 2021
Love this adaptation
I love Jane Austen and my favorite story of hers is Persuasion. I read this adaptation many years ago and just read it again....Allie and Frederick swept me away in this story....so sweet and romantic....happy sigh. I highly recommend this beautiful book!
I love Jane Austen and my favorite story of hers is Persuasion. I read this adaptation many years ago and just read it again....Allie and Frederick swept me away in this story....so sweet and romantic....happy sigh. I highly recommend this beautiful book!
June 26, 2023
Could’ve done without the cringy Southern accent twang added “Your fathah would nevah allow that.”
But overall, great storytelling…possibly enjoyed the ending and intrigue more than the original (“Persuasion”).
But overall, great storytelling…possibly enjoyed the ending and intrigue more than the original (“Persuasion”).
January 12, 2019
I did not like this book at all and won't keep it in my personal library. It is written for Jane Austin fans and I obviously am not one, because I couldn't stand the story line.
January 14, 2019
3.5 stars. Good fluff.
January 24, 2019
Even though I really enjoyed Persuasion when I read it, it's been so long so I couldn't really remember many of the plot points. Great book.
March 30, 2019
Just the right read at just the right time! 💐💗
May 16, 2019
3.5 stars.
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