I read Jane Austen's Persuasion back in December and haven't reviewed it. I was a little lost for words since it is such a great classic and I can't believe I had never read it before. But then Alaine reviewed it over at Queen of Happy Endings and I thought, man up Amanda, just review it!For those Persuasion newbies, here's the story:
Anne Elliot is 27 years old and unmarried. Agast! Her father, Sir Walter Elliot, has fallen upon hard times and is forced to rent out their nice home and move to a more modest abode in Bath. And who should rent their home, but the sister and husband of Anne's former flame, Captain Wentworth.
When Anne was 19, the Captain proposed and although Anne loved him, she was persuaded (get it?) by a family friend to turn down his offer. Scorned, she has not seen him since then. The Captain has made his fortune abroad and now is considered a fine catch. When the two finally cross paths again eight years later, he totally ignores her and pours affections on other (younger) women. Apparently hell hath no fury like a scorned man.
I was going to say, "Move over Pride and Prejudice, I've found a new favorite" but that's not entirely true. I still adore the wit and characters of P&P, so Persuasion is running a close second place. It doesn't help that I watched the movie shortly before I read the book. And wow. I think I've found a new crush. So yeah...move over Colin Firth as Darcy, I've found Captain Wentworth:
O yeah. The 2007 version has good eye candy. BUT...both the movie AND the book make me just want to slap these two characters. I mean. Anne is so passive and the Captain seems so heartless towards her. But I guess that makes the book enjoyable. The type of book you want to throw (but in a good way) and then pick it back up and continue reading until the hopefully happy ending.So yeah, I loved both the book and the movie.
**Note: I read my version online at Online-Literature.com. I just love the Penguin version's cover above.
**Another note: I've only seen the 2007 movie but heard that the older 1995 version is really good. Have you seen either one or both? Thoughts?The 2007 Persuasion movie:
The 1995 version:
1001 Books to Read Before I Die Challenge1% Well-Read Challenge (I'm at 33 books, I had no clue!)
Also Reviewed by:
Queen of Happy Endings
Stacy's Books
Fyrefly's Book Blog
Books. Lists. Life
Shelf Love
Book Nut
Book Bath 2007 Movie
Stacy's Books 1995 Movie
Blogul cu umbrela. The Period Drama Addict 1995 Movie
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I have seen both versions and while I prefer the 2007 version in general, I don't like the ending. I prefer the older version's ending. Why does she go running around all over Bath? So un-Anne! I think the eye candy is fabulous in 2007, though! Such intensity...
ReplyDeleteThis is my favorite Austen book. I am looking forward to a reread this year!
I saw the 2000 BBC version and liked it, but can't say Wentworth was eye candy. Maybe I need to try this one, because I did really like this book.
ReplyDeleteI like 1995's Anne better, but 2007's Wentworth all the way (and not just because he's hot... but of course, that doesn't hurt, either.) I also found it really distracting having Anthony Stewart Head as Anne's father in the newer one, since I watched it during the period when I was watching Buffy, and it was just so weird seeing Giles in period costume. :)
ReplyDeleteOh my, I've got to get my hands on the 2007 version!
ReplyDeleteI am a complete novice when it comes to Jane Austen. I should be ashamed to call myself British. I do hope to rectify this during the year by reading my first Jane Austen novel.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this book, and I think the 1995 version is awesome, but I HATED the 2007 move version with the fiery passion of thousand suns. I did a whole long ranting blog post about it too, lol, including quotes from the book to argue with decisions the director made.
ReplyDeleteI had the exact same reaction when I finished Persuasion - I almost couldn't decide which I liked better... Pride and Prejudice or Persuasion!
ReplyDeleteI also think P&P takes the edge for me, but it sure is close!
I've seen both the 2007 and 1995 versions, and I greatly prefer the 2007 version. Although the 1995 version is definitely work watching by Persuasion fans. :)
I haven't read or seen any of the Persuasion adaptations, but hope to remedy that soon!
ReplyDeleteIt is really interesting to me how deeply I have fallen for this film. I saw it when they re-aired it a few months ago on PBS and was only mildly impressed. Then I saw it in the library and gave it another go...and was mesmerized. I've watched it...oh, okay, I won't admit how many times since then...and LOVE it. Sally Hawkins is enchanting. She is a very unconventional beauty. I had already liked her from Happy Go Lucky and found her portrayal of Anne to be so amazing. In every single frame of the movie she uses her eyes and her body language to convey just how much agony she is in over the divide between her and Wentworth. The end plays out so well and I love the scene where they finally come together. It is saying something that I put this on my Father's Day wish list when Mary asked me what I wanted. Someday I'm going to have to give the library their copy back and I am loathe to part with it.
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