Persuasion by Jane Austen
Persuasion follows the story of Anne Elliot. Anne's mother died when she was young and she was raised by her vain father, Sir Walter Elliot. He is caring but Anne is not his favorite. She lacks desirable things her father finds in Anne's sister Elizabeth. Anne has another rather needy sister named Mary. Despite her family's vanity Anne is extremely modest. She find friendship and a mother-figure in her neighbor Lady Russell.
Sir Walter is a frivolous spender and when he realizes that he can no longer afford to live in their current home he quits it to move to Bath and lets it out to a family called the Crofts. Sir Walter and Elizabeth journey first to Bath leaving Anne to meet with the Crofts. During this time she becomes reacquainted with a former flame, Fredrick Wentworth. Eight years prior Anne was persuaded by Lady Russell to break off their relationship due to Wentworth's lack of fortune and good name. After eight years Fredrick has returned from war with a fortune of his own and the title of Captain Wentworth.
Anne changes and grows throughout the story. She starts out as a nobody to her father and then finds joy in her new relationships. She realizes her feelings for Captain Wentworth have only grown over time. But has eight years been too long? Does Captain Wentworth feel the same for her? Can they be happy once again?
Persuasion explores the idea of being influenced by others. Is is better to be flexible or resolute? As in her other novels Austen reflects on the lifestyles led in this era. Letters are an important means of communicating feelings that otherwise could not be said aloud. Propriety, money and connections rule all.
I enjoyed reading this book and I love the way it ended!
HAPPY READING!!!
