Persuasion by Jane Austen

I had attempted this read in 2016 and for some reason could not get through it. This time around, however, it was quite enjoyable. Not sure what made the difference, but it just goes to show that what you at one time might abhor, you may cherish in the future. I suppose the reverse may be true, but I will not continue to digress.

At the age of 19, Miss Anne Elliot is persuaded by a family friend to end her engagement to a man considered beneath her class. Fast forward 8 years of watching her vain father and sister dwell on what Anne now considers insignificant and has changed her view of the world.

Anne Elliot is quite good at reading people and appearing non judgmental in their presence, even, amongst close family members. She is still, however, loyal to family and class, to a fault at times.

Once considered unworthy of Miss Elliot, Captain Frederick Wentworth has become a self made man. Like Anne, he is a keen observer of people and his manners and considerations become appreciated by all those he has dealings with.

Anne’s sister Mary is now Mrs. Charles Musgrove and is quite the drama queen. She is Anne’s opposite in that she only sees the world and how it effects her directly.

Captain Benwick is a sensitive widower. While he confides in Anne, it is assumed they are a perfect match, but their relationship is truly one of friendship only.

Tea with Miss Austen would be lovely and I’d have to ask her why she closed Persuasion stating Anne agreed with Lady Russell’s interference with her engagement at age 19. Perhaps she needed to grow up in order to make such significant decisions. I’d then hope to discuss her creative process.

My rating for Persuasion is an 8 out of 10.

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Next up, Javiar Marias’ A Heart So White…