Anne Elliot, heroine of Austen's last novel, did something we can all relate to: Long ago, she let the love of her life get away. In this case, she had allowed herself to be persuaded by a trusted family friend that the young man she loved wasn't an adequate match, social stationwise, and that Anne could do better. The novel opens some seven years after Anne sent her beau packing, and she's still alone. But then the guy she never stopped loving comes back from the sea. As always, Austen's storytelling is so confident, you can't help but allow yourself to be taken on the enjoyable journey. From Amazon.com
Our discussion questions from my LDS bookclub at CafeMom:
1) Persuasion is Austen's last completed novel and was only published posthumously. It is often described as "autumnal," and sometimes as a work over which Austen's debilitating illness and approaching death has cast a pall. Do you see Austen's own shadows in the book?
2) Is Mrs. Russell a true friend to Anne despite her occasional bad advice? How do you feel about her eagerness to match Anne with Mr. Elliot? (Does anyone feel sorry for Elizabeth when Mr. Elliot suddenly switches his attentions from her to Anne?)
Yes. Advice is a tricky thing, especially when it comes to friends. Bad advice doesn't make a bad friend since at the time Mrs. Russell truly believed she was giving good advice and looking out for Anne's best interests. It is ALWAYS up to the individual to gauge whether the advice itself is best for them or not regardless of who gave the advice.
A match of Anne and Mr. Elliot would indeed be a good one for the family. (ignoring the whole incest thing. ;o) ) Anne could then be mistress of Kellynch Hall. Anne admits to herself that that would be nice. Mrs. Russell couldn't see Mr. Elliot for who he was and just saw the charm he meant them to see. People fall for false impressions all the time.
It's difficult to feel sorry for Elizabeth for anything. She seems very shallow which makes it difficult to feel anything for her.
3) {Just for fun} Sir Walter Elliot believes that cold weather has an unfortunate effect on women's beauty. Do you agree? How about hot weather? In which weather do you personally look your best?
I lived in Florida for 8 months and worked outside the whole time. I had a great tan and even skin. I didn't have to wear make-up to even out my complection. I feel that was the best look for me. Too bad I'm stuck up north!
4) Explain the title.
Anne's ONLY character flaw was her inability to speak up for herself. She did the bidding of her father, sisters, and even dear friends without question. Though in comparison Louise's failure to listen to reason ended in her being injured. Persuasion is a good title since being persuaded or not can lead to disaster. Being persuaded to view someone as they are not can also be a danger, but then at the end was Mrs Russell not persuaded to accept Captain Wentworth? Persuasion is neither good nor evil. One just has to choose for themselves when advice or impressions come their way.
5) What I thought
The book was so very slow at first. The language difficult to get into (This coming from a Shakespeare lover) It was like watching a foreign film with subtitles. for awhile they seem to get in the way and distract then eventually you forget you're reading subtitles at all. Once into the book I really enjoyed it. The character personalities were very unique if a bit exaggerated, yet I still had difficulties at times distinguishing character names. Too many similarities.
I was not fond of the end. Oh yes I'm glad it had a happy ending but this whole Mr. Elliot and Mrs. Clay situation seems to not be resolved at all. Anne & Captain Wentworth's character development was pretty good though.
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