Austenesque Lovers TBR Pile Reading Challenge 2017 discussion

We come down to it. Our last group read of the year. And for that, I have chosen the second of the two novels Henry Austen post-humorously published for his sister, Persuasion.

So! For this read, choose to read/re-read/listen to Persuasion, one of the poets Jane Austen mentioned in the book or read herself, a JAFF focused on Persuasion, or a discussion non-fic on Jane and her writing. Pretty much anything related to Persuasion is fair game.

When you've made your choice (hopefully by November 1, LOL), leave a comment here and share what book you chose and, why if you wish. Then as you read, share thoughts on it, and questions if you have any. At the end, give us your final thoughts.

*mash-ups involving characters/settings from Persuasion and others of her novels do count. If you need suggestions for whatever direction you wish to take- Persuasion editions, JAFF, bios/discussion books- shout out and others might be able to give you some recommends here.

I like the idea of “post-humorous,” especially in the context of Persuasion! ;-) NA seems too humorous to be post-humorous. . . .

An Austenesque writer I admire is working on a modern-day Persuasion pastiche and has recently shared the first half of the book with me, so this will be a timely read! I’ll probably simply reread Persuasion.

Abigail wrote: "I like the idea of “post-humorous,” especially in the context of Persuasion! ;-) NA seems too humorous to be post-humorous. . . .

An Austenesque writer I admire is working on a modern-day Persuasi..."

LOL, I do that every, every time. You'd think I had some Freudian issues. ;) I think I'll leave it unedited and give everyone a laugh (or cringe).

A re-read sounds good. I'm still pondering my options. :)

LOL....I wondering when this post was coming because I finished today.....

Persuaded by Misty Dawn Pulsipher....I loved it!!!!! This one has been on my "Someone pick a book..." for a number of months. When I saw a few days one of my favorite authors read it and liked, I decided to read and I knew this Group Read was coming! I might have book time later in Nov. for the canon story....AiB is reading and discussing it(if enough people sign up...anyone?) for January.

It has been a while since I read Persuasion, and I was actually thinking about re-reading it the other day. I will most likely listen to it on audio. There are 2 different narrators I am looking at, Juliet Stevenson and Olivia Williams. I have listened to Juilet Stevenson many times and love her, but I like Olivia Williams as an actress and am intrigued by her. Any thoughts, or has anyone listened to either and can recommend?

Kirk wrote: "LOL....I wondering when this post was coming because I finished today.....

Persuaded by Misty Dawn Pulsipher....I loved it!!!!! This one has been on my "Someone pick a book..." for a number of mon..."

Oh, nice timing, right? Good to know Persuaded was a great read for you, Kirk. Definitely would love it if you can slip in some thoughts about it once November rolls around like how it compares to the original, etc. And yes, indeed, that would be nice if you have the time to work in a re-read. I'm leaning toward a retelling right now. Hope you get enough signed up for your AiB reading and discussion (is that a real-life only group read?)

Ahnya wrote: "It has been a while since I read Persuasion, and I was actually thinking about re-reading it the other day. I will most likely listen to it on audio. There are 2 different narrators I am looking at..."

Great that I timed it well to go with your decision for a re-read, Ahnya. :) Afraid I've only listened to Juliet so can't give a comparison help for you. Maybe others can.

Sophia wrote: "Kirk wrote: "LOL....I wondering when this post was coming because I finished today.....

Persuaded by Misty Dawn Pulsipher....I loved it!!!!! This one has been on my "Someone pick a book..." for a ..."

Yes, great timing!! It is a real-life only group discussion although I post the questions(2 or 3 sets...we don't answer more than 10-12 questions in person) on the FB event page. So, if you do get a chance to answer them on-line at the event page...I will respond. Laugh at myself...I have posted on-line only in the past...with limited response. Happy choosing a retelling...I look forward to seeing it and the rest of the responses!

Kirk wrote: "Sophia wrote: "Kirk wrote: "LOL....I wondering when this post was coming because I finished today.....

Persuaded by Misty Dawn Pulsipher....I loved it!!!!! This one has been on my "Someone pick a ..."

Aha, good to know about your FB group read questions. No promises, but maybe I'll pitch in if I happen to be reading the book. :)

Group Read... woohoo!! I'll probably read Persuaded by Misty Dawn Pulsipher and also I'll reread the classic. Can't do any better than that.

I haven't read persuasion but was thinking about it. This sounds fun!

I think you’d love Persuasion, Sara! {the Letter, *sigh!*} Look forward to hearing your thoughts on it.

Well, I've had Persuading Annie, a modernization of Persuasion, loaded in my Kindle and on my TBR list for a while, so this is a great opportunity to actually read it! I'm in!

Yeah, Debbie, another one off the TBR pile.

I expect I'll probably reread Jane Austen's Persuasion, too. My second favorite JA!

Definitely welcome, Jeanne, Sara, and Debbie.

And yes, definitely feel free to knock a book off the TBR pile. :)

I haven't read Persuasion yet, I plan listen to the version narrated by Juliet Stevenson.

Jeannine wrote: "I haven't read Persuasion yet, I plan listen to the version narrated by Juliet Stevenson."

You're in for a treat, Jeannine. :)

I'll be listening to JA'S Persuasion. I put it on hold on Overdrive. 😀

Marlene wrote: "I'll be listening to JA'S Persuasion. I put it on hold on Overdrive. 😀"

Sounds good, Marlene! Good way to experience it. :)

I'm participating. Just g have to decide whether reading persuasion or reading a jaff.

Sophia wrote: "Kirk wrote: "LOL....I wondering when this post was coming because I finished today.....

Persuaded by Misty Dawn Pulsipher....I loved it!!!!! This one has been on my "Someone pick a book..." for a ..."
I'm greatly afraid (although Halloween has been over for 8 min) of giving spoilers. However, I think I can say the author loosely follows the canon. In a few things the timing is changed, which was fine for me. There are less characters. Good! And....drumroll...there is one thing in this story that the canon really couldn't do.. which...I Loved Loved Loved!!!!!!!!!!(yes, caps required for Loved!!!!) Cheers!!!

Kirk wrote: "Sophia wrote: "Kirk wrote: "LOL....I wondering when this post was coming because I finished today.....

Persuaded by Misty Dawn Pulsipher....I loved it!!!!! This one has been on my "Someone pick a ..."

Ah, understandable. Some books are too full of neat twists and surprises to describe in detail. You do have me curious about the part you loved. I'll be looking forward to that when I get around to reading this one.

When are we starting?

Sara wrote: "When are we starting?"

We're already started. I usually give it a few days before posting up the first set of guide questions, but feel free to post up any comments or questions on your reading so far, Sara. :)

I'm waiting for my library audiobook still. 😁

Marlene wrote: "I'm waiting for my library audiobook still. 😁"

Yeah, I saw that there was a waiting list at Overdrive. Sorry you have to wait, but in a way that's cool for Persuasion to have a waiting list. :)

First Check-In

Howdy all! Hope you've had a chance to get started on your Persuasion book of choice for the month. I know some were waiting for their library loan and I hope it comes in soon. I'm so glad to have so many in on this one. Newcomers are welcome to join in even now and even if you need a later start, that is perfectly fine. Just glad to have you. :)

Let's begin with a few first impression thoughts.
How was the opening pages of your book? Did it pull you in?

Impressions of the key players. Do you like the Anne of your book? Or has a minor character taken your fancy?

Going in, its generally understood that this is a story of second chances. Is this an element you like and why? Not sure? Can't stand?

What are your thoughts on the parent roles in the story? There is Anne who was close to her mother and Elizabeth their father- do you think it plays a role in how they have turned out (the old nature vs. nurture debate)?

For those doing audio, how is the narrator for you?

For those doing variations, do you feel it's a good rendering of the original?

Feel free to respond to any or all these questions. Or... pose a few of your own and your own impressions so far.

Alright, I'll go first since its only fair that I take a turn at my own prods, right? ;)

So, I chose a modern variation that took a minor character and gave her a story.

I will confess to two less than worthy reasons though this is not against the author. First, I wanted to read this one before I advanced to her new release coming out in the series and I like to read books in order if I can. Secondly, it was novella-length and fit into my crazy schedule right now. Bad, right? I do have plans to try to fit in a second Persuasion book if I can.

Anyhoots, I read Clash by Melanie Stanford about Elizabeth Elliot and her own chance to shine. I think Laura Hile's Mercy's Embrace: So Rough a Course was fantastic when she focused on Anne's stormy, spoiled and petulant older sibling. She didn't try to soften or change Austen's character. And in this one, neither does Melanie Stanford.

I first encountered all the characters in Sway, book one of the series so Clash continues it so I don't really have a first impression of Elizabeth here. Though, her love interest Anthony was an interesting sort and just the one to appreciate a woman like Elizabeth.

As to the second chance theme for Anne and the Captain in Persuasion, I've always felt that they needed to grow and mature to be the sorts to hang onto love through the hard times like Anne or write that letter of long held feeling and insight like Wentworth.

I tossed in that question about parents because I was struck by how many of the parent-children relationships in Austen novels seem to really mold their characters. If you were the lucky kid to get the decent, intelligent, and principled parent's attention then you turned out alright, but if you got stuck with the one with all the flaws then may the good Lord help you. LOL

Your comments about parents make sense, Sophia, in a society in which so much of one's social life, especially for females, took place in the home. It must have been a totally different way of life from our own. People saw other much less frequently, at least in the rural villages, and they were dependent to a huge degree on the people in their own household for most entertainment. Unless you were really rich, mothers educated their own children for years, and parents had much more control over children.

I have finished Persuaded by Misty Dawn Pulsipher and liked it OK. I am also reading the classic... again.

Other variations than the ones already mentioned are:
My Persuasion
Second Chances: An Amish Retelling of Jane Austen's Persuasion
Modern Persuasion in my TBR pile
A Perpetual Estrangement: Jane Austen's Persuasion Reimagined also in that TBR pile

Lots of Persuasion options. Y'all may know of others.

Sway by Melanie Stanford is a great modern Persuasion variation that I highly recommend, Jeanne.

Captain Wentworth's Persuasion by Regina Jeffers is another wonderful book! Sigh! 😊

Oh, I forgot about that one by Jeffers. Yep... good choices.

Just finished the scene at Lyme so I am roughly half way through. I decided to go with the audiobook narrated by Olivia Williams. Even though I love Juliet Stevenson I wanted to try someone different. I have enjoyed Olivia's narration. She actually sounds a little bit like Juliet. My favorite thing so far is that she has given Sir Elliot a lisp. It is so perfect!

Like with Northanger Abbey I am struck by how different my impressions are reading Persuasion at a different time in my life. The first time I read it I was in my early 20's, not married, and pretty naive. I was irritated with Anne for not following her heart, thought what a waste of time, and thought her generally to be weak of character. Now I am in my mid 30's, have been happily married for 11 years, but it was preceded by a rocky 6 year courtship. I am a little more understanding of Anne, and the predicament she was in. I know now love, relationships, and life in general are not so black and white. I am loving listening the Anne & Wentworth work through their issues, past hurts, and coming to an understanding of the other. It is quite beautiful.

Ahnya,what a lovely post!! I'm delighted you're enjoying it. I,too have the book narrated by Juliet Stevenson and while I really like this version,I can understand why you'd like to listen to a different narrator.

Abigail wrote: "Your comments about parents make sense, Sophia, in a society in which so much of one's social life, especially for females, took place in the home. It must have been a totally different way of life..."

Very true... how did Elizabeth B describe it 'confined'? And the remark that set off her mother about the unvaried neighborhoods of the country. It was definitely true where the Elliot's Kellynch Hall was off the path and only near a village so the parents would be the main social force on them. Great historical background point, Abigail.

J. W. wrote: "I have finished Persuaded by Misty Dawn Pulsipher and liked it OK. I am also reading the classic... again.

Other variations than the ones already mentioned are:
My Persuasio..."</i>

Bummer it was just okay for you. One of my favorite retellings is the Susan Kay duology from Captain Wentworth's perspective.[bookcover:None But You

Ahnya wrote: "Just finished the scene at Lyme so I am roughly half way through. I decided to go with the audiobook narrated by Olivia Williams. Even though I love Juliet Stevenson I wanted to try someone differe..."

I like to explore different narrators, too. Each can bring out a different nuance of the story.

Oh yes, Persuasion has affected me in various ways since I've read it as a middle-aged adult, too. Interesting how our life experiences make us appreciate or not certain stories.
Love the Lyme scenes because I felt it was the turning point of the story.

Mary wrote: "Ahnya,what a lovely post!! I'm delighted you're enjoying it. I,too have the book narrated by Juliet Stevenson and while I really like this version,I can understand why you'd like to listen to a dif..."

Thanks, I am very much enjoying this listening.

Sophia wrote: "Ahnya wrote: "Just finished the scene at Lyme so I am roughly half way through. I decided to go with the audiobook narrated by Olivia Williams. Even though I love Juliet Stevenson I wanted to try s..."

There is so much that I don't know if I missed it the first time I read it, or it has been so long that I had forgotten it.

Lyme is a fun, and later in the book even Capt. Wentworth says it was a turning point for him. You see both him and Anne start to let their guard down, and the beginnings hope to spark.

Okay finished it this morning.

I think what I enjoyed most this time was Anne's internal dialogue. It added a depth and richness to the story to hear her thoughts and feelings. Not only of what was happening right then, but also of the past.

Nice observation, Ahnya! Like you I often have trouble attaching to stories when the author doesn’t let us in on the main character’s thoughts and feelings. Persuasion really makes us feel intimate with Anne.

Hi guys I'm late I know but I'm having a tough time reading at the moment. This is my very first audible book. It's Persuasion by the by. It's a free download my daughter found for me and each chapter is read by a different person. On the whole it's fine but there's one reader who insists on calling Captain Benwick-Captain Ben Wick and it's doing my head in. I think I'm about half way through. If it continues to irritate me I'll switch to my paperback. This is my favorite Austen and Anne Elliot my favorite heroine.

Your first audiobook and you chose Persuasion, Teresa! Hope it improves as that would really grate on my nerves too!

My first (and last) audiobook was Persuasion, too—or so it said. It was heavily abridged, and I wound up careening down the freeway screaming out the lines that had been left out! Not a happy experience.

Oh no... those sound like terrible listening experiences, Teresa and Abigail. Not all narrators are equal, for sure. :)

It is kind of interesting the different variations we are all reading of the same classic story Persuasion. Whether it is modern or Regency, audio, e-book, or hardback, or better yet… Austen’s classic … each story has the same elements or components to follow. Regardless of the names used, hopefully the characters are similar to the classic… it is always our Anne and her dysfunctional family. We have Elizabeth, a mirror image of her vain, selfish and unthinking father. Or worse… he knows exactly what he is doing. We usually have the younger sister Mary, who is married to a Charles Musgrove type and she feels ignored and overwhelmed by her life and her children. She manages to dominate, control and manipulate Anne into caring for her and the children due to her being ill, imagined or otherwise.

Then we have the influence that separated Anne from her love eight years prior. And then he suddenly returns. We all know the story and have to wonder… how many different ways can one story be produced. I am sure there is a mathematical formula, computation or permutation that would give us an answer. I’ll save the mathematicians the trouble… and just say… endless possibilities. What fun and we get to enjoy each and every one of them. Then we get to discuss them on GoodReads with our friends. Does life get any better than that?

J. W. wrote: "It is kind of interesting the different variations we are all reading of the same classic story Persuasion. Whether it is modern or Regency, audio, e-book, or hardback, or better yet… Austen’s clas..."

Ah, what felicities, indeed, Jeanne. :)

Yes I'm on chapter 20 of my very first audible book. I noticed that I've picked up on little things I may have missed in the reading of the actual book, even though I've read it many times.