Persuasion

Twelve years ago, in my last months before graduating with my English degree, I finally read Jane Austen for the first time. Somehow I had never read any of her books in high school nor in my earlier English major classes, but in my penultimate quarter, my introduction to her work was with Persuasion. I remember enjoying the novel at the time (and have since read two other Jane Austen books), and have been interested in re-reading it for some time. Now, with a Persuasion retelling coming out soon (Once Persuaded, Twice Shy by Melodie Edwards!), felt like like the perfect time to revisit this classic.

Review

Most of us know the basic outline of Persuasion: Seven years ago, Anne Elliot and Frederick Wentworth were in love, but he was of a lower station than her. Anne was persuaded to break their engagement, and they haven’t seen each other since. Now he’s a respected and well-off captain, and Anne is still living in the shadows of her narcissistic family. With Captain Wentworth suddenly back in her life, will Anne be able to rekindle what they once had? Is it too late for a second chance at love with Captain Wentworth?

Going into this rereading of Persuasion, I was excited to reacquaint myself with Anne (perhaps the Jane Austen heroine most like me?) and this beautiful second-chance romance. I had loved it on first reading 12 years ago, and I was sure I’d enjoy it just as much now. Perhaps even more so, now that I’m older and have experienced love myself.

But… I didn’t connect with it as much this time around. I still like the aforementioned characterization and love story, but everything else just bogs the story down. So much of Persuasion seems to focus on Anne’s (irritating) family members, potential romances between them and even involving Captain Wentworth, and the backstory of secondary characters. I found myself waiting to get past all the filler parts and just get to the reconciliation between Anne and Wentworth.

By the time we do get to them interacting in any meaningful way, and Wentworth’s letter to Anne, it feels like far too little, far too late. Somehow, their love story feels secondary to the entire novel.

I do still enjoy Anne as a character. She may be quiet and introspective, and totally misunderstood by her family, but there’s a strength and intelligence inside her that I admire. As someone who is introverted but still knows her own mind, I always related to 27-year-old Anne on some level. And her relationship with Captain Wentworth is romantic, once the book finally gets to it. Lovers torn apart and given a new chance at finally building a life together? Swoony, and it’s no wonder this has become such a popular trope in romances today.

Final Thoughts

While I probably would have given Persuasion four or five stars back when I first read it, this time it didn’t connect with me nearly as much. I wish I’d enjoyed it as much as before, but this reread was not as enjoyable. Maybe it was partly due to the audiobook format? On my next rereading I may sit down with my paperback and see how that goes.

In any case, I love the basics of the story, and I’m curious to see how I’ll like a modern retelling. Melodie Edwards has a new book coming out soon: Once Persuaded, Twice Shy. I adored her Jane Eyre reimagining last year, Jane & Edward; I hope I love this new book as much so I can satisfy the Persuasion itch!

Get the Book

You can buy this audiobook version of Persuasion here – it’s also available as a hardcover, paperback, ebook, and other audiobook editions.

Persuasion by Jane Austen
Audiobook Narrator	Greta Scacchi
Audience	Adult
Genre	Classics; Romance
Setting	England
Book Length	8.25 hours
Format I Read	Audiobook
Original Publication Date	1818
Publisher	Audible Studios

Official Summary

Persuasion, Jane Austen’s last novel, is a tale of love and marriage told with irony and insight. Anne Elliot and Captain Wentworth have met and seperated years before. Their reunion, after the passage or irrecoverable years of their youth, forces a recognition of the false values that drove them apart.

First published 1818.