I can see it now-why all you Austen lovers out there absolutely adore Persuasion, Austen's last complete novel. It is a simply breathtaking piece of work and I am sad now that I can't look forward to it any longer as the unknown.While I still have a hard time deciding which Austen is my favorite, I think this one is definitely at the top. It is far more meaningful and lovelier than any of her other novels. It is more mature, more realistic.
As someone who has been in a relationship for almost eight years, but only married for 5 months, this novel exemplifies how love has to grow and endure time.
And as someone who does have a partner, and who has gone through the stages of love, I can appreciate this deeper version of love. You can only be in the "falling in love" stage for so long before life happens. Life influences your love and your relationship.
Perhaps that is why I can relate to Anne and Frederick. They fell in love and waited, and waited. Life happened and they were apart. But the strength of their love eventually pulled them back together. Through everything, they still loved each other.
And the married part of me loves that and wishes that more novels really showcased the passion of a long love. There is something endearing and wonderful about couples who do end up together after years of uncertainty and trial. It is also wonderful to see those couples still loving each other, and still making efforts to show their love.
So yes, Persuasion was lovely. I think it is a novel that is not known enough. More people need to read this little work by Austen to appreciate her genius, and where she was headed in the maturity of her writing towards the end of her life. So if you love Austen, like I do, but haven't read this gem, you NEED to go get a copy and read it now. It will complete your love of Austen and show you something new to cherish and marvel over.
Persuasion is by far the most mature of her writings. I get a little chocked up every time I complete it. Not because the novel itself is sad but because I have finished it.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful beautiful review. It moved me. I read it twice. (I never do that) Whoa. I really must read this now. Thank you :)
ReplyDeleteSo glad you loved it. Your recent posts about it made me decide to write a bit about it as my "Friday Favorite" this week. You got me thinking about why I love it so much. My husband (of only 7 months) and I dated for 9 years before getting married. I definitely agree that this book means more to me because of that.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful review :) The thing I adored about Persuasion was that it took the reader, gripped him with the sort of emotion that the leads are going through. There's an undercurrent of sadness all through, but knowing it's Jane Austen, you know there's a happy ending. And what a beautiful ending it is!
ReplyDeletePersuasion is the only Austen book that brought tears to my eyes. I loved it. And reading your review makes me want to reread the book :)
I loved what you wrote about this one. I'm lucky that I still have this one to look forward to. Now I'm a bit hesitant to read it this summer as I don't want it to be over!!
ReplyDeleteYour words were perfect in expressing your love of the novel. I completely agree with them.
ReplyDeleteYou make a wonderful point about the mature love in this book and one I hadn't thought of before. I must admit, much as I love Pride & Prejudice, I do get tired of all the Darcy gushiness among Austen lovers! In real life that kind of infatuation in a relationship can only last so long. I agree with you, as a married person, I also wish there were more novels that glorified a more steadfast kind of love, rather than the constant rush after something new and more exciting. Thanks for this review, I may have to read Persuasion again this year.
ReplyDeleteIt is such a beautiful book. I really must read it again.
ReplyDeleteI loved P&P first as a teenager and again as an adult and now I need to read the other Austens! I'm glad this was such a satisfiying read for you. I read S&S in February, am reading Emma in September for a bookclub, maybe I need to read this one now just for fun!!
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