For so long now I’ve been saying that Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen is my favorite book of hers. Granted I’d only read two but I think the reason that book made such an impression on me is because I happened to be in Bath when I was reading it. Christine and I had tea at the Pump Room, visited the Jane Austen Centre and spent time reading our books in some beautiful gardens. So you can see why I may be attached to that book.
But, I read Persuasion a few weeks ago and I think I have a new favorite Austen. This is the story of Anne Elliot, who was once happily engaged to Frederick Wentworth but had to give him up as a result of being persuaded by a friend and family. Now years have passed, she’s older and on her way to spinsterhood and is is continually used by her family.
When Captain Wentworth enters her life again, now with his situation greatly improved, I found that I completely believed the emotional roller coaster Anne was on. To see him again, to feel that she may have a chance at love and yet her hopes are dashed when she thinks he’s courting another young woman, it’s all beautifully described in this book.
There are many scenes which I loved but perhaps the best one comes towards the end when Captain Wentworth gives Anne a letter. If you’ve not read this book, read it just so you can read that letter. Really, it’s that good.
Now one good thing about going to Dallas on the weekend was that I got to see the film version of Persuasion with my mom. I gave her the DVD for her birthday and we really enjoyed watching this one. There were a few things that were obviously different from the book but it was a good adaptation. One I wasn’t sure going into it just because so much about the book is about Anne’s thoughts and emotions and I wasn’t quite sure how that would work.
I did like this though. I do think it was good to read the book first because there are a lot of characters and sometimes things were explained too quickly so I could see how you might miss things. At least my mom, thought that.
While I do think Amanda Root, who plays Anne, and Ciaran Hinds, who plays Captain Wentworth were great in the film, one of my favorite characters is actually Anne’s sister, Mary. The actress truly brings to life the sister who is quite the attention-seeker.
So I think I’ve found a new favorite and this counts as two more down for my Everything Austen Challenge. Can’t wait for the next Austen or Austen-inspired book or movie.
Persuasion is my next favourite Austen’s books besides P&P. I need to watch the film adaptation of this one!
Glad you enjoyed it, Iliana! 🙂
Persuasion is my favorite Austen, hands down. So glad you enjoyed it as well! I plan to re-read it this fall for Everything Austen, and then watch two different film adaptations, including the one you reviewed. Glad to hear it holds up!
I think Persuasion is the only one I haven’t read. Not really sure why, but I’ll definitely need to remedy that at some point. I guess technically I haven’t read Emma since I have a small bit to go before officially finishing it.
Persuasion and NA are my favorite Austens. I love NA for nostalgic reasons (first Austen I ever read, Catherine is the character I most identify with, etc.) but I think Persuasion shows Austen’s writing matured over her lifetime. And I love that the story is not one of first impressions with the fairy tale ending (guy-girl meet and fall in love, certain complications but quickly followed by matrimony), but that it has more depth than that. Persuasion w/ Amanda Root is great. There’s a newer adaptation of Persuasion (2008, I think?) that I just didn’t like all that much.
I really enjoyed Persuasion. I haven’t yet read Northanger Abbey, and so I do not know if I would agree with you that Persuasion is better. 🙂 I personally am partial to Pride and Prejudice, but it’s such a close race for a favorites that that isn’t saying much.
P&P and Persuasion are the only two Austen’s I’ve read, and they both are excellent. Austen is such a genius at inter-relationships and subtlety! I have a two volume set of all of her works, and really look forward to working my way through it!
I read and reviewed Persuasion recently, also for the Everything Austen challenge. Pride & Prejudice remains my favourite but I loved the maturity and poignancy of this story; I found that it probably suits the reader who has loved -and perhaps lost- than the one aspiring to love.
I hold a soft spot for Northanger Abbey; it is so different from the other Austen romances and reading it in Bath would definitely make it special and memorable!
I recently finished Emma, and when I asked for what-should-my-next-Austen-be suggestions on Twitter, a lot of people told me that Persuasion was probably her best. I think that for that reason I’m going to save it for last. It does sound like an amazing book. Of the ones I’ve read so far, though, Northanger Abbey is my favourite too!
I’m glad to hear you liked Persuasion so much. It’s the one Austen book I’ve been dying to read but haven’t yet.
I love Persuasion! (and NA and P&P and Emma-they all tie for first, lol) I think the movie adaptation is marvelous as well, and I love the actress who plays Mary too! Have you seen Gwenyth Paltrow’s Emma? She plays Miss Bates. 🙂
Melody – I remember when you reviewed Persuasion. I think that’s what made me look for this one as my next Austen book! 🙂 And, I do recommend the film so when you get a chance check it out.
Carrie K. – I’ll be looking forward to your posts regarding the movies to see what you think. I really liked this version but am tempted to see the other one too!
Carl V. – Oh Emma is good too isn’t it? I hope you are enjoying it and hope you’ll check out Persuasion afterwards!
M (seldomyes) – Maybe that’s why I liked Northanger Abbey too because it was my first Austen! I have read some reviews which mention that the Amanda Root version is better so I’m in no rush to see the other version but am a bit curious!
Literary Feline – I know, it seems P&P is really the best one right? I am working my way up to that one actually! The film version of that one is so wonderful too – oh that Mr. Darcy 🙂
Sandy – Have fun working your way through your beautiful book. I’m working my way through the Austens too. I’ve got 4 more to go! 🙂
Paperback_Reader – I agree, I think if a reader has had a similar experience then this would just be a wonderful, poignant read. I think I just related a bit too much what with all the family pressures Anne had! yikes 😉
Nymeth – I sort of wish I had saved this one for last too but I’m saving P&P for my last read. It’s a toss up which one I’ll go to next 🙂
Anna – You have a wonderful read waiting for you!
Eva – Haha, I know. It is hard to pick a favorite Austen I think. I’ve not seen Paltrow’s Emma although I have it. I just need to sit down and watch it. I’ve heard it’s pretty fun! 🙂
I really love the movie persuasion, but have yet to read the book. That’s one of my goals with the Everything Austen Challenge
Isn’t Persuasion a marvelous book? I am glad you liked it so much. You also remind me it’s been some time since I’ve read it. Time for a re-read I think!
Oh… the letter! Sigh. I do love P&P but Persuasion is a close second. I was kind of disappointed with the more recent TV adaptation of Persuasion. I haven’t seen this one though so I think I’ll have to try to find a copy. And it’s been years since I read Northanger Abbey. I really need to read it again sometime soon.
Oh Wentworth *sigh* 🙂 That man can write a love letter like nobody’s business! Oh my gosh wehn he says: ‘you pierce my soul’
I love that book. And how cool that you visited Bath and the Jane Asuten Centre!
I liked the BBC version of Persuasion.
Persuasion is definitely my favorite Austen. I think she is at her most subtle in it, and I love the sly way she worked variations on the verb “persuade” and its synonyms into the narrative. It is very very clever. Thanks for giving me a nudge to re-reading it!
Everyone tells me I’ll LOVE this book when I get around to it. I don’t doubt it at all–now I just need to pick it up!
OH YAY! Almost no one I know seems to have read this one, or love it as much as I do (although I can happily see lots of people do love it as they’ve said so in your comments). I think it’s wonderful and quite different from her other novels in terms of its subject (because it’s a later in life love story, a second chance tale). Sigh the bit with the awful accident with the wall where Anne believes Wentworth truely loves another.
Persuasion is really wonderful, I completely agree! I loved the film version too. They are both so, so satisfying.
Serena (Savvy verse & Wit) – Oh I hope you are able to get to it for the challenge. The movie was lovely but of course as you can imagine the book is even better!
Stefanie – It really is! It was one of those that when I finished it, I just had to sit there thinking about it for a good while!
tanabata – Seriously that love letter about made me cry! Ah, what romance! And, I’m working my way to P&P which I’m saving for last!
bookworm – I left my book copy in Germany but I want to read that letter again! Ah, it was so delicious wasn’t it?
ds – Yes, wasn’t that great? I normally don’t re read books but this is one where I think it’d be fabulous to go back and pick out even more of the nuances of the story. So wonderful.
Andi – Oh you must read it! It really is so wonderful.
Jodie – Oh gosh I felt so sorry for Anne then. In the movie you feel it too but certainly in the book you just really know what is going on inside of her and as things continue to happen and she just feels like she’s going to be disappointed. I just wanted to give her a hug!
Dorothy W. – I also get the feeling I’ll be watching the film version again. My mom and I love to re-watch films and we just love period pieces so we’ll probably get the DVD out again soon!
I’ve never read Persuasion or seen the movie, but now I want too!!
I’ve always loved ‘Persuasion’. I think it might be to do with the fact that I came to it later and was more of an age to understand the emotions that Anne is going through. ‘Sense ans Sensibility’ and ‘Pride and Prejudice’ work well with a younger author, but if you come to ‘Persuasion’ in your teens I’m not sure you can appreciate Anne’s predicament and the choices she makes so well.
oohh MY! I completely FORGOT I was reading Persasion… I need to get back to that NOW! 🙂 Thank u.. and I am sure i will check out the other book u mention 🙂
Stephanie – Oh I hope you check either one out during the challenge. Just so good!
Table Talk – Completely agree, Ann. I think as an older reader you also realize just what Anne’s lost and what her life is like if she doesn’t marry.
Veens – How can you forget! 🙂 Hope you are feeling better by the way and hope you get back to Persuasion!
This is one of my favorite Austen books, too! You are right about that letter. Swoon! My coworker loves it so much, she is able to recite it. The DVD you speak of is wonderful as well (the newer version simply does not stand up to it.) So much yearning….
Persuasion is my favorite Austen book, too! I love P & P, but I think Persuasion is a more complex and satisfying story! Great BBC film adaptation, too, btw 🙂
Oh, I love Persuasion! I second the recommendation for the BBC adaptation with Amanda Root and Ciaran Hinds.