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?


Other reviews:

Becky's Book Reviews

Musings of a Bookish Kitty

(Please let me know if I have missed yours.)

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

ISBN: 9780140621679
Publisher: Penguin Group (Penguin Popular Classics)
Published: 1995
154 pgs




I chose this book as a kick off for the Classics Challenge hosted by the lovely Trish.

Dorothy is our heroine in this story, and I have to say she is one determined young lady who would not allow anything to defeat her and she would grit her teeth and face any challenges that are thrown towards her way.

It all begins when a cyclone blew her house away but unfortunately Dorothy had no time to hide the way her Aunt Em and Uncle Henry did. The strong wind carried the house away before it finally landed onto none other than the Wicked Witch of the East. The people at the land of the Munchkins are very grateful to Dorothy for getting rid of the witch but Dorothy is more interested of finding a way home in Kansas! When she understand from the Munchkins that the Great Wizard of Oz might have a solution to finding her way home, she set her journey to The City of Emeralds where he lives, despite the journey is long and she might encounter something dark and terrible along the way. She wore the silver shoes left by the wicked witch, for the Munchkins believed there is some charm connected with them.

Along the way, she gets to meet the Scarecrow who wishes for a brain, a Tin Woodman who wishes for a heart, and finally a cowardly lion who wishes for courage. Each of them has a story to tell and they have became good friends quickly. Together with her three newfound companions, Dorothy will follow the Yellow Brick Road towards the City of Emeralds but they will soon encounter several challenges that will exercise each of their special quality and have their dreams fulfilled in a few unexpected ways but one would think the experiences they have been through are worthwhile and so meaningful.

Reading The Wonderful Wizard of Oz had made me feel like a young girl all over again. Although I have yet to watch the movie, but I have vague memories of the animations I had seen when I was a child. I remember I was really in awe of Dorothy, and I had a special fondness for her three non-human companions as well; each has his special skills and talents but it took some experiences before they gained their confidence and be their true self again.

I am simply amazed by the story premise and felt every plot is so cleverly planned and are interconnected. I love reading stories that have lessons learnt along the way, yet not in a preaching manner. This book is one of them, and another best thing is it brought me fond memories of my childhood days. It is no wonder this story is a favourite classics of all time.

Favourite quotes:

Experience is the only thing that brings knowledge, and the longer you are on earth the more experience you are sure to get.

There is no living thing that is not afraid when it faces danger. True courage is in facing danger when you are afraid, and that kind of courage you have in plenty.

(Let me know if you have a review of this and I will add your link onto mine.)