Persuasion By Jane Austen

 

Persuasion

By Jane Austen

Anne Elliott is a woman past the prime marrying age. She lives with her vain father and her older sister who doesn't think much of her. When her father, who lives beyond his means, has to let his property and move them to a smaller place in Bath, Anne takes it in stride, willing to go where providence leads her.

Her younger sister, who is married and lives near the family home place, persuades Anne to stay with her and her husband and children. Anne accepts and is is swept up in their lives of the usual Austen fare of upper class visits, parties, and getaways.

Anne has a friend in an older woman named Lady Russell who, along with Anne's family, is responsible for Anne denying a marriage proposal in her past to a naval captain named Frederick Wentworth. But Captain Wentworth resurfaces in a much more acceptable position of wealth for the landed gentry and enetrs Anne's circle of acquaintances. However, there are many young ladies who find him appealing and vie for his attentions. He spends quite a lot of time with a couple of them, leading Anne to think she will not have another chance with him. She has a lot of regrets regarding the ways in which things were left between them.

Also, in usual Austen style, there are other men who take a fancy to Anne. They, like many others, find Anne to be an exceptional woman in so many ways, even so far as to prefer her company to that of her sisters. Yet, her family thinks she is basically of little value. Captain Benwick is one of the men who everyone thinks wants to ask for Anne's hand in marriage, and it seems like he may have a chance.

But when an accident happens when everyone is abroad, Benwick becomes enamored with Anne's fiercest competition for Wentworth's attentions. This leads to Wentworth becoming free of all attachments and Anne sets her sight on capturing his notice once more. As you would expect, everything works out in the end, mostly due to a very overwrought, yet effective love letter form Wentworth to Anne.

A side story involves Anne's cousin, who also seems interested in her, but his reemergence in the family circle is all due to an inheritance. His deception is revealed and he leaves in disgrace.

Unfortunately, this story felt rushed in the end. This was due to Austen's declining health and her trying to finish the book before she died. The story was a good one, more serious than her other novels in a lot of ways. Less snarky, but still examining the vain attitudes and social customs of the wealthy. There was a lot of intrigue and an interesting side story, which really added some suspense that I don't recall in her other novels. I enjoyed the story, the characters, and the pacing up until the end parts that were rushed. I would have loved to se eit unfold in a slower way. Still, it is a 4 -star story for me.