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September Book Club - Persuasion by Jane Austen

SarasaSarasa All Saints Host
in Heaven
This month we're discussing Persuasion by Jane Austen. Her last novel its the story of Anne Elliot who seven years previously rejected a proposal from Frederick Wentworth, an impecunious naval officer. He then returns to her orbit a wealthy man and ready to marry. I thoroughly enjoyed my re-read of it recently and look forward to discussing it on the 20th.
If you don't have time to read the book I thought this adaptation was true to the book and a good film in its own right.

Comments

  • JLBJLB Shipmate
    My favourite Jane Austen. I'll aim to join you instead of just reading everone's comments.
  • Lamb ChoppedLamb Chopped Shipmate
    I hope to be in this discussion too.
  • CaissaCaissa Shipmate
    I just picked up a copy at the campus library.
  • March HareMarch Hare Shipmate
    Ditto.
    Yes, it's a very good adaptation you've pointed us to; though one might say Amanda Root rather overplays the submissive demeanor and unfortunately comes over as a bit wet!
  • HuiaHuia Shipmate
    My favourite Jane Austen. I must look out my copy.
  • MarsupialMarsupial Shipmate
    I remember watching the movie a while back. The Wikipedia article perceptively describes its differences from some of the better known Austen adaptations which for lack of a better word are somewhat higher-gloss. I remember not liking this one as much as the BBC P&P or Lee’s Sense and Sensibility but I wonder how it would fare on second watching.

    I think I’ve read Persuasion at least twice but both times were a while back. Will try to take another look sometime this month.
  • NenyaNenya All Saints Host, Ecclesiantics & MW Host
    Over the years I have tried very hard to get along with Jane Austen, without success. I am going to give this a go if I can source a copy - I don't want to buy it and the libraries so far seem only to offer e-books or audio books of it.
  • SarasaSarasa All Saints Host
    What I found interesting about Persuasion is that I've read it three times. I loved it the first time, hated it the second and enjoyed it the third.
    @nenya, if there are any second hand bookshops near you see if they have a copy. We usually had one in the Oxfam shop I volunteered in.
  • NenyaNenya All Saints Host, Ecclesiantics & MW Host
    Yes, I've been keeping my eye open in second hand bookshops. Next week I am in Wells and there's a good Oxfam shop there so I am hopeful. I've also asked someone here who does a lot of reading if they have a copy I could borrow.
  • MiliMili Shipmate
    One of my favourite books so am happy to reread and join in the discussion.
  • DafydDafyd Hell Host
    edited September 2
    It's definitely in my top ten books, at least if I'm allowed more than one per author. (If I'm only allowed one per author it would have to fight it out with P&P.)
  • Jane RJane R Shipmate
    Try the Gutenberg Project if you don't mind ebooks, @Nenya . It's well out of copyright.

    I'm in. I haven't read it for several years, but there's a copy around here somewhere.
  • HuiaHuia Shipmate
    A friend gave me book tokens for my birthday - which is his usual gift. Last year I gave them to the children's section of the Community Library where I volunteer - this year I bought "Elmer The Patchwork Elephant" for a neighbour's grandchild and "Persuasion."*

    I can't imagine a more strange combination than Elmer and Persuasion


    *I'd actually bought an Elmer for my oldest brother who loved both bright colours and elephants, but he died of Parkinson's before his birthday.

    All of which is to say I will join the discussion.
  • HuiaHuia Shipmate
    Couldn't find my book token. Bought a Penguin edition for the princely sum of NZ$17.00. I think that's the cheapest new book I've bought in a very long time.
  • NenyaNenya All Saints Host, Ecclesiantics & MW Host
    I enlisted the help of the friendly mobile library person who, after much computer clicking and huffing and puffing and "sorry about this" comments (and, as I told them, I was grateful they were having trouble, it meant I wasn't being inept when I was trying to find a copy on the system) has managed to track down what appears to be the only paper library copy in Wiltshire and it's winging its way to me. I should get it next week.
  • Net SpinsterNet Spinster Shipmate
    I'm enjoying the reread. I note, it is one of the earliest books uploaded to Gutenberg (#105 on February 1, 1994) between #104 "Inaugural Address of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Given in Washington, D.C. March 4th, 1933" and #106 "Jungle Tales of Tarzan by Edgar Rice Burroughs"

    "In August 1989, Project Gutenberg completed its 10th book, The King James Bible, that was first published in 1611, with the standard text dated 1769. In 1990, there were 250,000 internet users, and the standard was 360 K disks. In January 1991, Michael typed in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, by Lewis Carroll (published in 1865). In July 1991, he typed in Peter Pan, by James M. Barrie (published in 1904). These two worldwide classics of childhood literature each fitted on one disk.

    1991 was also the year the web became operational. The first browser, Mosaic, was released in November 1993. As the web was becoming a popular medium, it became easier to circulate eTexts and recruit volunteers. Project Gutenberg gradually got into its stride, with the digitization of one book per month in 1991, two books per month in 1992, four books per month in 1993 and eight books per month in 1994. In January 1994, Project Gutenberg celebrated its 100th book by releasing The Complete Works of William Shakespeare. Shakespeare wrote most of his work between 1590 and 1613. The steady growth went on, with an average of 8 books per month in 1994, 16 books per month in 1995, and 32 books per month in 1996."
    Project Gutenberg (1971-2008) by Marie Lebert
    https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/27045


  • MrsBeakyMrsBeaky Shipmate
    I read Persuasion as one of my English A level texts, MANY years ago. I loved the book but I've never forgotten one of my first essays being returned to me with a comment about it being a shame about my commentary being far less perspicacious than Jane Austen's writing!
    My husband and and I spent our honeymoon at Lyme Regis 50 years ago and have returned there regularly and I've often re-read Persuasion whilst there as I have it on my Kindle.
    It's such a beautifully observed narrative 😍
  • HarryCHHarryCH Shipmate
    It would be difficult to outdo Jane Austen's perspicacity.
  • HuiaHuia Shipmate
    In 2005 an old friend gave me a mug printed with the Penguin orange colour and Persuasion printed on it. Now it's a matching set with the edition I bought the other day.
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