Book Review: Persuasion by Jane Austen

Persuasion was completed when Jane Austen was already a successful writer, and was published shortly before her death, aged 41, in 1817.  It’s her most romantic and best-loved novel, in the opinion of some, and her weakest and most mournful according to others.  It has a reputation for dividing her fans into one of these love/hate camps.

If you’ve read my Classically Challenged introductory post, you’ll know that I’ve already planted my feet squarely in the romantic camp.  I love Persuasion for so many reasons!  I’ll take you through a few of them…

First point: every time I read Austen I’m always charmed by her lightly mocking humour.  This novel begins by introducing the reader to Sir Walter Elliot: a vain and pompous man who thinks far too much of titles and class.  Austen’s is a very subtle wit, but the way she ever so gently pokes fun at Sir Walter’s skewed values, as well as those of Mary and numerous other characters (deservedly so), stood out even more for me on a second reading than on the first.

I do appreciate though that it can seem a slow start for a first-time reader to be presented with Sir Walter sighing over his family tree in the very early pages.  I can’t remember what I thought first time round, but this time I wasn’t at all fazed as I was sustained by the knowledge of the brilliance to come.  If you’re thinking of picking up Persuasion, I feel I ought to warn you not to form too early an impression of Austen until you’ve realised what she’s trying to tell you about Sir Walter.  Don’t worry – the penny drops pretty quickly!

Secondly I need to talk about Anne: the book’s heroine.  A reader’s first impression of her is of a shy, retiring type, too paralysed by embarrassment and etiquette to be able to approach Captain Wentworth, the man she still loves.  Seven years prior to the date the novel is set, Anne and Frederick Wentworth were secretly engaged to be married, but Anne was persuaded by her friend Lady Russell that it would not be a good match for either of them, and so she broke it off.  Now the two former lovers, thrown into each others’ social circles once more, are initially unable to get past this terribly awkward situation of past intimacy and present estrangement.

At first it’s easy to simply pity Anne and wish that she would speak out more, yet as you read on you become acquainted with her sweet, self-sacrificing nature, mixed with surprisingly strong opinions, which are aired only to her close friends when passionately moved to speak.  She is a character with honourable principles and a good heart, who wants the best for those she loves even at the expense of her own happiness.  She truly grows on you as the book progresses, even more so to me because I can identify with her.  I’ve always been criticised for being “too quiet”, but when moved to do so I’m not afraid to stand up for what I believe in.

Of course, this character type may not be to everyone’s taste, especially in the modern age of getting exactly what you want; who on earth waits for the man of your dreams to be slowly won over by your true nature anymore?  You just go out and get him yourself, right?  I’ll leave that one open to discussion…

Moving on, the strong sense of place is another great reason to love not just Persuasion, but any of Austen’s novels.  She has a gift for capturing the details of everyday life with its small, personal triumphs and trials, and allowing readers, whatever century they are from, to believe that they are a part of the story and part of her characters’ lives.  The characters are like people we know and the social setting, although in some ways totally different to our own, is described in such a way as to allow a reader to gain a complete understanding of the time through her characters’ interactions.

Finally, although I do hate spoilers, I must just mention the ending!  I’m notorious for not being entirely satisfied with the endings of novels, but Persuasion’s conclusion is one of my favourite endings in literature, modern or classic.  As you approach the end of the novel, Anne’s character has (unless you have a heart of stone) become so dear to you that you feel genuinely delighted by her happiness (oh come on, we all know it has a happy ending).  I even went so far as to clap my hands and grin gleefully around the room – luckily I was at home with only MrBrontëSister to roll his eyes at me.  I’d love to go on (and on and on) about the ending but don’t dare for fear of spoiling it for anyone who I’m at the point of talking round to reading it.

I’m very pleased that Simon and AJ of the Classically Challenged challenge also loved the novel – hooray!  A great start to their experiment in reading more classic literature.  Click on their names above to read each of their posts on Persuasion.

Next on the Classically Challenged schedule is The Warden.  I’m still waiting for my copy to come crashing through my letterbox (courtesy of AJ Reads) and can’t wait to get started on it.

Leave a comment if you’re participating in Classically Challenged and, whether you are or not, do tell me what you think of Persuasion!  If you’ve already started The Warden, what are your initial thoughts?