Persuasion (Penguin Classics). Jane Austen. Penguin Classics. Reissue edition. 2003.

Book review by Tracey
Jane Austen is not as easy to read, for instance, as Nora Roberts, or Johanna Lindsey. Then again, she doesn’t write as we speak today. She is still a very good writer. Her writing gives us insight into what types of behaviors were acceptable for both of the sexes in her day. Her stories are still pertinent. We in the modern age have the choice to act in quite different ways than her characters do, but should we? The only real difference I see is that we are now able to openly express our true feelings without (mostly) fear of censor. It sometimes seems amazing to me that anyone ever actually connected in that time period, as they were prevented from communicating in the way we have become accustomed to.

Persuasion (Penguin Classics) is a tale of Anne Elliot, an impoverished upper class female who is not cared for or respected by her rather pompous family, although she seems to be the smartest, down to earth member of it. At one time in the past she had an opportunity at romantic happiness, but allowed herself to be led away from it on grounds of duty to her family. The story recounts how the male in question is brought back into the picture many years later, and the heartbreak that Anne must endure being around him again. What happens during this time period I will not hint at, as you may not read it for yourself if I do. I will say that I think this story would make it just as well at the movies as Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, or Emma, all which I thoroughly enjoyed watching!

Tracey.