(Book Jacket Status: Jacketed) Of all Jane Austen's great and delightful novels, "Persuasion" is widely regarded as the most moving. It is the story of a second chance. Anne Elliot, daughter of the snobbish, spendthrift Sir Walter Elliot, is a woman of quiet charm and deep feelings. When she was nineteen, she fell in love with-and was engaged to-a naval officer, the fearless and headstrong Captain Wentworth. But the young man had no fortune, and Anne allowed herself to be persuaded, against her profoundest instinct, to ...
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(Book Jacket Status: Jacketed) Of all Jane Austen's great and delightful novels, "Persuasion" is widely regarded as the most moving. It is the story of a second chance. Anne Elliot, daughter of the snobbish, spendthrift Sir Walter Elliot, is a woman of quiet charm and deep feelings. When she was nineteen, she fell in love with-and was engaged to-a naval officer, the fearless and headstrong Captain Wentworth. But the young man had no fortune, and Anne allowed herself to be persuaded, against her profoundest instinct, to give him up.Now, at twenty-seven, and believing that she has lost her bloom, Anne is startled to learn that Captain Wentworth has returned to the neighborhood, a rich man and still unwed. Her never-diminished love is muffled by her pride. He seems cold and unforgiving. Even worse, he appears to be infatuated by the flighty and pretty Louisa Musgrove. What happens as Anne and Wentworth are thrown together in the social world of Bath-and as an eager new suitor appears for Anne-is touchingly and wittily told in a masterpiece that is also one of the most entrancing novels in the English language.
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Add this copy of Persuasion to cart. $2.69, very good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Atlanta rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Brownstown, MI, UNITED STATES, published 1995 by Modern Library.
Add this copy of Persuasion to cart. $2.69, good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Reno rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Reno, NV, UNITED STATES, published 1995 by Modern Library.
Add this copy of Persuasion to cart. $2.69, good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Dallas rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 1995 by Modern Library.
Add this copy of Persuasion to cart. $2.69, good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Baltimore rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Halethorpe, MD, UNITED STATES, published 1995 by Modern Library.
Add this copy of Persuasion to cart. $2.69, fair condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Dallas rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 1995 by Modern Library.
Add this copy of Persuasion (Modern Library) to cart. $32.96, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 1995 by Modern Library.
Add this copy of Persuasion to cart. $42.58, very good condition, Sold by RARE BOOK CELLAR rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Pomona, NY, UNITED STATES, published 1995 by Modern Library / Random House.
Add this copy of Persuasion (Modern Library) to cart. $97.35, new condition, Sold by GridFreed rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from North Las Vegas, NV, UNITED STATES, published 1995 by Modern Library.
This book is a treasure, not because it was Jane Austen's last novel but because it is so different from her other books. Anne Elliot is a more mature heroine than in Austen's other books. Eight years before, Anne was briefly engaged to Frederick Wentworth. Anne's mother was dead by then and her close friend, Lady Russell persuaded Anne that the young man was not worthy of her. Reluctantly, Anne broke the engagement.
It is years later and Frederick Wentworth, now a naval captain, is wealthy. When Anne and Frederick meet again, the captain treats Anne coolly; he is still hurt over her rejection. He seems intent on marrying one of the neighboring Muskgrove's daughters. However, he slowly starts to realize where his heart lies.
This book is also a satire on social snobbery. As Frederick's fortunes have increased, the Elliot household finances have started to teeter. Anne's father and pompous oldest sister, Elizabeth, continue their ruinous spending in spite of their reduced circumstances. Mary Muskgrove, Anne's second older sister (and the only one married) is an accomplished hypochondriac; it is fascinating to watch others maneuver around this arrogant young woman.
This is a fully-fleshed out book with restrained, but delightful characters (Anne is a restrained character in comparison to Emma and Elizabeth Bennett). The humor is evident in the satire sprinkled throughout the book. However, it is the subtle and deep affection that Frederick and Anne have for each other that is the focus of this wonderful story.
Jerry A
Sep 26, 2013
Persuasion
Fast delivery, great condition. Would buy from this seller again.
Corgi
Mar 9, 2009
really special , even for Jane Austen
This is a lovely story at any age, I think principally because the relationship between Anne Elliott and Captain Wentworth is the truest to life, the most nuanced and complicated, of any of Austen's. It's also actually, to me, the most romantic.
It also seems particularly rich in humor, characters' absurdities, revealing behaviors & funny dialog.
But to an older single woman, this story has even greater resonance - it's so satisfying to watch Anne come into her own when everyone thought it was too late for her. And remember, as I read on a friend's birthday cake, 50 is the new 30!
Renee
Jul 12, 2007
One of the shorter novels of Jane Austen, Persuasion is the lovely story of quiet, sensible Anne Elliot. Surrounded by a family whose only concern is their rank and appearance, Anne welcomes a visit to her sister?s family. During her trip she enjoys the company around her, not the least of which includes a former suitor. The tale is told with such charm as only Austen can produce, and includes one of the most delightfully romantic conversations to be found in literature.
apostolicchic
Apr 3, 2007
Fantastic Read
What can i say? An excellent read! I loved this book, simply because the heroine isn't as young as her other heroines. Anne, the heroine of the book, has already passed her bloom and is believed to be destined for spinster hood. She is only in her late 20's, but at a time when marriage at 17-19 is desired, she is becoming an old maid. Read the book, find out what happens to Anne and learn about love that is as strong after 10 years as it was at its beginning.