Persuasion by Jane Austen

Genre: Classic 
Released: December 1817
249 pages

About the Book:

Anne Elliot, daughter of a snobbish, spendthrift Sir Walter Elliot, is a woman of a quiet charm and deep feelings. When she was nineteen, she fell in love with - and was engaged to - a naval officer, the fearless and headstrong Captain Wentworth. But the young man had no fortune, and Anne allowed herself to be persuaded, against her profoundest instinct, to give him up.

Now, at twenty-seven, and believing that she has lost her bloom, Anne is startled to learn that Captain Wentworth has returned to the neighborhood, a rich man and still unwed. Her never-diminished love is muffled by her pride. Even worse, he appears to be infatuated by the flighty and pretty Louisa Musgrove.

What happens as Anne and Wentworth are thrown together in the social world of Bath - and as an eager new suitor appears for Anne - is touchingly and wittily told in a masterpiece that is also one of the most entrancing novels in the English language.

  

My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐

I persevered and finished this. If it wasn't for chapter summaries from Course Hero and a book club chat I wouldn't have finished it. I struggled to understand what was happening at times and found it moved very slowly making me quickly lose interest. I did feel for Anne with the way her family treated her and was proud of her when she began to make decisions for herself and someone showed interest in who she was rather than just seeing her as someone to help them. The romance seemed to come out of nowhere and felt abrupt when it happened. The letter from one of them to the other was romantic but it felt out of place of when it was presented. There were a few scenes that did make me laugh but overall I was bored and just didn't care about the characters.

(I borrowed this book from the library; opinions expressed 

in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

Other books from this author that I have reviewed:   

   

Emma

Emma by Jane Austen (Review)

Genre: Classic
Released: 1815
495 pages

About the Book:

Emma Woodhouse believes herself to be an excellent matchmaker, though she herself does not plan on marrying. But as she meddles in the relationships of others, she causes confusion and misunderstandings throughout the village, and she just may be overlooking a true love of her own.

  

My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐⭐

This was my very first time reading a Jane Austen book. Emma sees herself as a matchmaker but isn't that great at it at times. The story is the characters talking about nothing much and drags at times. It helped that I have seen a few adaptations of this book, so I was familiar with the story. We see Emma grow and learn not to judge everyone based on their financial status but rather their heart. I liked how Mr. Knightly was blunt with Emma and made her see the error of her ways at times. I struggled with the age difference between them. I felt for Harriet, so much heartache could have been avoided if she had just gone with her heart about a guy near the beginning rather than let Emma influence her. I did really like Emma's commitment to her father.

(I purchased my copy of this book; opinions expressed 

in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)