Persuasion by Jane Austen

ISBN-13: 9780486295558
Publisher: Dover Publications
Published: April 1997
224 pgs

Persuasion is the third Austen's book I read, after Pride and Prejudice and Northanger Abbey and I wish I had read all her completed works earlier because they are such a delightful read.

In Persuasion, our heroine is a twenty-seven year old Anne Elliot and I have to say she is the sweetest heroine I have read among Austen's heroines I had read so far. Oh, she is equally charming as compared to the other heroines, but unlike the others I feel she is too good as compared to the others. She is always putting other people's needs before her, which I feel is a great quality but not when it concerns her happiness. You see, she has a fancy with Frederick Wentworth, a naval officer eight years before the story begins, but regrettably she has to break off the relationship because her father and Lady Russell, a family friend think he is not worthy of her at that time.

Though saddened by the breakup, Anne moved on with her life although the thought of Frederick strikes her mind once in a while. Later, when Frederick returns being a rich and successful captain, they crosses path once again but this time, Anne's family is having financial problems and she has to seek tenancy in Kellynch Hall.

There is nothing more I want to say about this book as this story, after all it is a romance story between Anne and Frederick and Austen always end her stories with a happy ending. You will have to read it yourself to find out how Anne get reunited with Frederick again, for I do not want to spoil it for you. However, I can say Anne is a likeable character. She may not be as opinionated as Elizabeth Bennet in P&P, but she has her own strengths and I respect her for it. I liked how she treats things positively, and she is always helping her family members even though their attitude towards her sometimes put me off. Others characters such as Sir Walter Elliot (Anne's father) and Lady Russell are equally engaging too.

All in all, Persuasion is an enjoyable read. I adore Austen's writing style; her books are filled with humour and intelligence. In fact, I would say this is my other favourite Austen's book besides P&P.

Have you read all the books by Jane Austen? Which one is your favourite?


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