1. How does persuasion play a role throughout this novel?
Persuasion plays a big role in this novel. Austen again cleverly names her novel with one or two descriptive words that describes what her novel is about. Persuasion plays a huge role with the two main characters, Anne Elliot and Captain Frederick Wentworth. As we all know Anne was persuaded to end her engagement to the Captain. As a result of that act, these two lives were altered. Persuasion is everywhere in our lives. We are persuaded to buy a certain product by convincing commercials or sales people, we are persuaded to take certain paths in life by social constructs. I think the lesson in this story is to not let yourself be persuaded into things when you know it’s not right for you.
2. Did you like the ending of this story? Why or why not?
I did enjoy the ending. One of the things I love about Jane Austen’s novels is how, for the most part, she adds the element of surprise with the leading men. Most of the times these moments come in the forms of letters, Darcy to Elizabeth and now Captain Wentworth to Anne. I find those moments incredibly romantic, these strong men baring their true feelings and souls on paper to the lady they care for. Needless to say, I thought the Captains letter to Anne was very romantic and how after all those years, love can still last. But, also in typical Austen fashion, she saves the wrap up and the part we as the reader are all waiting for in the story, until the last few chapters. It’s this long drawn out story and then BAM it’s done and over.
I did enjoy the ending. One of the things I love about Jane Austen’s novels is how, for the most part, she adds the element of surprise with the leading men. Most of the times these moments come in the forms of letters, Darcy to Elizabeth and now Captain Wentworth to Anne. I find those moments incredibly romantic, these strong men baring their true feelings and souls on paper to the lady they care for. Needless to say, I thought the Captains letter to Anne was very romantic and how after all those years, love can still last. But, also in typical Austen fashion, she saves the wrap up and the part we as the reader are all waiting for in the story, until the last few chapters. It’s this long drawn out story and then BAM it’s done and over.
3. Would you recommend this novel to a friend?
Even though I did enjoy this book, it wouldn’t be the first book I would recommend to a friend. It was kinda slow paced and the main character Anne didn’t seem to have that spark that I love to read about. I would tell my friend it’s an ok novel, but here is a copy of Pride and Prejudice! Then I would run out the door with my rhinestoned team Mr. Darcy t-shirt on.
4. Of all the characters Jane Austen created, who was your favorite and why?
Jane Austen has created some unique characters. She has created ones that made me laugh out loud, snooze at the sight of their name, cringe but in a good way, and strong enduring characters. However, After reading all of her completed novels, hands down the character that most inspired me, made me laugh, made me what to be her is Elizabeth Bennet. While reading Pride and Prejudice I fell in love with Elizabeth Bennet’s strength, sass, and loyalty; I found myself wanting to be exactly like her. I tend to find myself in situations where I tell myself, channel your inner Elizabeth Bennet and everything will be ok. After reading Pride and Prejudice a little part of me changed for the better. So for this reason, Elizabeth Bennet is my favorite Jane Austen character. Plus my home girl has the hook ups to my literary boyfriend Mr. Darcy. Haha. This makes me want to re-read Pride and Prejudice. Ahhhhh…. I just love that novel.
Jane Austen has created some unique characters. She has created ones that made me laugh out loud, snooze at the sight of their name, cringe but in a good way, and strong enduring characters. However, After reading all of her completed novels, hands down the character that most inspired me, made me laugh, made me what to be her is Elizabeth Bennet. While reading Pride and Prejudice I fell in love with Elizabeth Bennet’s strength, sass, and loyalty; I found myself wanting to be exactly like her. I tend to find myself in situations where I tell myself, channel your inner Elizabeth Bennet and everything will be ok. After reading Pride and Prejudice a little part of me changed for the better. So for this reason, Elizabeth Bennet is my favorite Jane Austen character. Plus my home girl has the hook ups to my literary boyfriend Mr. Darcy. Haha. This makes me want to re-read Pride and Prejudice. Ahhhhh…. I just love that novel.
5. Was there anything you disliked about Jane Austen novels?
There was nothing per-say I didn’t like. She likes to write about the same subject matter, class, social standing, marrying up, etc.. so after reading them all back to back it kinda got tiring after awhile. I guess we should have spread out her novels so we wouldn’t burn ourselves out on them. She also struggles to fully develop characters, which made for frustrating reads sometimes *cough… Marianne and Col. Brandon…cough*. She also likes to build you up, and sometimes drag you along, throughout the novel then she wraps the entire story up in 1 or 2 chapters at the end, if you blink you will miss it. Sometimes it’s pretty abrupt endings which leaves the reader confused, or at least left me confused. But overall as a whole these dislikes still don’t deter me away from Austen, I do think she is a brilliant and gifted writer. To be able to write something well over 200 years ago and still have people of the 21st century relate to her stories is pretty incredible.
There was nothing per-say I didn’t like. She likes to write about the same subject matter, class, social standing, marrying up, etc.. so after reading them all back to back it kinda got tiring after awhile. I guess we should have spread out her novels so we wouldn’t burn ourselves out on them. She also struggles to fully develop characters, which made for frustrating reads sometimes *cough… Marianne and Col. Brandon…cough*. She also likes to build you up, and sometimes drag you along, throughout the novel then she wraps the entire story up in 1 or 2 chapters at the end, if you blink you will miss it. Sometimes it’s pretty abrupt endings which leaves the reader confused, or at least left me confused. But overall as a whole these dislikes still don’t deter me away from Austen, I do think she is a brilliant and gifted writer. To be able to write something well over 200 years ago and still have people of the 21st century relate to her stories is pretty incredible.
6. Now that we have read all of Austen’s novels (well at least all her complete novels), which one did you relate to the most? Which was your favorite? And why.
It’s hard to narrow down which novel I related to the most because each one (except Mansfield Park, which I hardly remember and probably couldn’t tell you the characters names.) I was able to relate too in some way. They were all incredible and fascinating in their own way. Pride and Prejudice moved me in my core. I can’t even describe in words how much I love that novel. In Sense and Sensibility I was able to relate to Elinor and her personality/character. She was more reserved with the world and tended to hold things in and process them before expressing her feelings to the world, which I feel like I do too. I found Emma a complete joy to read. I think out of all Austen’s novels, I laughed out loud the most with Emma and just the ridiculous things she got herself into. Haha. The novel that surprised me most was Northanger Abbey. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. Catherine’s sense of imagination, wonder and adventure definitely brought me back to childhood and those similar feelings of wild imagination that she has throughout this novel. Finally Persuasion reminded me to never give up hope and to believe in yourself/feelings. Im not sure if this answered the question, but this is what I took away from each novel and how I related to them.
Not that this will come as a surprise to any of you, but hands down my favorite Jane Austen novel is Pride and Prejudice. I won’t even go into how amazing and great this novel is because I’m sure you are all sick of hearing me constantly talk about it in every book club post. Haha… what a girl can’t help it! Ahhhhh Mr. Darcy!!!!!!!
Closing Thoughts
I can’t believe we made it through all of Jane Austen’s completed works! I am so proud of us as a book club!! I am going to miss reading Austen dearly. We “met” quite a few characters along the way and even some that will stick with us long after we close the chapter on Austen in this little book club of ours. Even though I am sad to say goodbye to Jane Austen, I am very excited for this year’s book club adventure. I love that we all get to pick out novels for the group to read. I think it will really bring a variety of subject matter and new levels of discussion that I am very much looking forward too. I cannot wait to start our first novel of 2012, The Help! I have been looking forward to this novel for so long and cannot wait to read it! So until next time my book club friends.
Happy Reading!!!!
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