Never too Late to Read Classics discussion

Persuasion is the last novel fully completed by Jane Austen. It was published at the end of 1817, six months after her death.

The story concerns Anne Elliot, a young Englishwoman of 27 years, whose family is moving to lower their expenses and get out of debt, at the same time as the wars come to an end, putting sailors on shore.

Members here is your choice from the Poll! Who is joining in on this lovely read from Austen?

I'm in! I'll start reading this evening.

I'll join in too.

I just finished reading Persuasion. (I had been working on it before it was the book of the month.) Can't wait to hear what y'all think about it.

Chapters 1-3

Austen has another self-centered character, Sir Walter Elliot. Anne has voiced her opinion about moving several times but no one listens to her. Yet. I like her so far.

I have read Persuasion at least 3 times (which is the same for her main six books for me). Persuasion is the most romantic of all Austen's books, my thoughts anyways.

Pride and Prejudice is quite beautiful, but something about Anne and Captain Wentworth getting back together after years apart, holds a special place.

I love Austen's humor and tellings, I hope everyone that is reading this Classic finds it just the same <3

It is my favourite Austen novel, too. I like the fact that the main character is not a teenager, but a strong young woman.

I'm admiring Anne Elliot as I read Persuasion. Her feelings are strong but she doesn't "burden" other people with them. She is selfless, always trying to help others. Actually, Anne is almost too good to be true, but that is how Austen planned it, I think.

I am sure it is Kathy.
I agree she is my favorite character, she is not overbearing. Very practical when it comes to finding a partner for herself. A caring person overall.

I'm in. This is about my third or fourth read of PERSUASION. This round I'm reading the annotated version with annotations on the right side.

Hi Karen! Happy 4 or 5th read! 😊
Glad you joined in!

Finished it this morning.

Kathy wrote: "Anne is almost too good to be true, but that is how Austen planned it, I think..."

This is the complaint I have with Austen: the good characters are perfect, and the bad ones are so horrible that there's no redeeming qualities at all. The only interest in the plot is identifying who's the good, and who's the bad. So, in this book, (view spoiler)[Mr. Elliott (hide spoiler)] turns out to be the bad egg, completely bad, and by glorious fortune of coincidence, the one person with complete knowledge of that appears in the right place at the right time to let Anne know that.

In real life, there's (usually) some gray in every person's character - Austen doesn't take the time to flesh out her characters to that extent.

I disagree that Austen's characters are just good and bad. That has not been my experience. Emma is far from either perfect or bad. Elizabeth in P &P is often a pain in the a...
I do agree, however, that, except maybe for S&S 's Elinor, Anne is the most sympathetic of Austen heroines. But that's mainly due to sympathy for her family's severe underevaluation of her talents, and is also a result of some deficiencies in her own character. She is not perfect. She is too meek and pliable at first, causing her to screw up the first go-around with Wentworth. She's just being a middle child trying to keep family peace by being more egoless. (Disclosure: I'm a middle child)
Where some see black and white I see shades of grey. Now, Dickens...

I agree with Brian that her characters aren't only good or bad. One of the things I love most about Jane Austen is her characters have flaws that bring about the drama, and they learn from it and grow as people to bring them toward the story's conclusion. My favorite example is how Darcy realized how coldly arrogant he had been and put great effort into improving himself. Looking at all of her novels, there is a similar theme of growth. Of course, there are some side characters who are rotten from beginning to end, but I wouldn't care much to read a book about characters with no redemptive qualities.

The difference in Persuasion is that we are reading a story from her present day, and the changes the characters brought about in themselves are well-laid in their personalities now. They've already done the growing up and maturing before the start of the story--we only get brief tastes of what their flaws were, and the time and distance we don't recieve in the story has already cured them of those. That's one reason I love this one. They were both kind and respectful for the duration of the book.

Ashley, wonderful insight into why Persuasion is such an attractive story.

I love the funny bit where Sir Elliot is unhappy with the women and men of Bath he makes a statement that goes on and on but it makes me grin!

"Plain, ugly, Scarecrow!"

Anne Elliot is a strong, principled and honorable yet not boring or annoying. One of the reasons I enjoy Austen's female characters and this novel.

This was my favourite Austen before I read Mansfield Park which I know, is usually everyone's least favourite. I am just starting to read Persuasion again and will then decide which gets top place in my book universe.

Tracey, I have to admit I think I rotate around to which ever one I am reading is my favorite! ;>)

I finished Persuasion a few days ago and I think Anne Elliot is my favorite Jane Austen heroine. Certainly better than Emma! I really like the descriptions of the characters' activities around Bath.

I'm not sure which is my Austen favorite yet. I have yet to read Mansfield Park.

Kathy glad you love Anne!

Lesle wrote: "Tracey, I have to admit I think I rotate around to which ever one I am reading is my favorite! ;>)"

I agree that sometimes a book speaks more to me at a certain point of my life than at others. For instance, I read A Passage to India in my early 20's and again just now in my early 50's, and it meant more to me this second time. It is us that change not the book, and this is the beauty of the written word; that it speaks to each according to their readiness for it's message.

I'm in. A little late but hopefully I'll begin to read this selection today.

Luis, we have a whole month to discuss the book, so you can take your time and enjoy the book (it is one of my favourites). If life gets in the way, you can comment any time since the discussion threads stay open. Happy reading.

Luis wrote: "I'm in. A little late but hopefully I'll begin to read this selection today."

I haven't started it yet either as my book hasn't arrived.

I hope you get it soon, Tracey.

Quote from Ch 12.
"Without emulating the feelings of an Emma towards her Henry, show (Anna) would have attended on Louisa with a zeal above the common claims of regard....
Is Jane Austen taking herself out of the narrative and referring to her book Emma?

Emma doesn't have a Henry in Jane Austen's Emma. At least not that I can recall. ;) It refers to the ballad "Henry and Emma." (I only know this through online searches--I've never read the ballad.)

Blueberry wrote: "Quote from Ch 12.
"Without emulating the feelings of an Emma towards her Henry, show (Anna) would have attended on Louisa with a zeal above the common claims of regard....
Is Jane Austen taking h..."
But I remember doing a double-take at that part, too, because of the familiar name. :)

Thanks, that was confusing. I looked it up on Spark Notes and there was a Henry but he looked to be a relative.

I just finished Persuasion. I enjoyed it very much.

I am glad you liked it Blueberry. It is one of my favourites.

Blueberry, Happy you enjoyed Persuasion! I adore Jane Austen!

Have you read any other Novels from her?

I think I have read most of them over the years with only Mansfield Park and Emma left to go.