Persuasion - Jane Austen

“Persuasion”, one of six completed novels by Jane Austen, though written in 1815-16, was not published until 1818, a year after its author’s death at the age of forty-one. The story centres on the Elliot family: Sir Walter and his three daughters. Sir Walter, a widower, is a vain, snobbish individual whose main – indeed, only – reading matter is the entry concerning himself in the Baronetage. His haughty, unmarried eldest daughter, Elizabeth, being “very like himself” is something of a kindred spirit – however, his two other children are regarded as “of very inferior value”. The middle daughter, Anne, is twenty-seven years old when the story begins; despite - ...  Read the complete review

At the age of 19, Anne Elliot falls head over heels for Frederick Wentworth. Anne is the daughter of a baronet, Sir Walter Elliot, and Frederick has no connections or money or any other advantage to recommend him. Under such circumstances, is it possible to judge whether or not Anne should go ahead with an engagement? In any case, Anne is persuaded by Lady Russell - a family friend and close personal friend - that refusing Frederick's proposal is the wisest course of action. Some 8 years later, when Anne is 27, circumstances drastically change. Her father, Sir Walter is financially embarassed and is forced to let the family home, Kellynch Hall, to Admiral ...  Read the complete review