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Book Review – “Persuasion by Jane Austen”

“Persuasion” is the story of Anne, daughter of Sir Walter Elliot of Kellynch Hall who, at the age of 19, was persuaded by her godmother to renounce her fiancée, commander Frederick Wentworth, because he had no fortune and no prospects. He returns to the area several years later having become a wealthy captain and, seeking a bride.

Jane Austen’s characters are wittily described, from Sir Walter’s ridiculous vanity and his elder daughter’s snobbery to the youngest, married daughter’s dissatisfaction with her life and consequent hypochondria.

Most of the readers said they found the writing very old fashioned and tedious to read although once they were involved they liked the story, but much preferred the television play to the book.

Jane