Of all classics written by female authors, none can compose a romance story as beautiful as Jane Austen’s. Throughout the 19th century she was applauded for craft, finish and elegance in her novels – each piece is like a flawless Grade A diamond in princess-cut.
Persuasion was Jane’s last completed novel, which begun in 1815 and finished by 1816. Many critics say that this one carried with it an “autumnal tone” like most novels written by women of her time; that meaning the author wrote a story about her own love life. However, compared to her other books this was most maturely written of love and changing world.
Anne Elliot, heroine of Jane’s last novel did something many can relate to: long ago, she let the love of her life get away. In her case, she allowed herself to be persuaded by a trusted family friend that the young man she loved was not adequate (socio-economic wise) and unworthy of her love, and that Anne could have better. The novel opens some seven years after Anne rejected him and sent him packing, and she’s still alone. But then her beau comes back from the sea and Anne finally understood that she loves him for who he is. In the end, they were allowed a second chance to live “happily ever after” – another finale of poetic justice and requited love.
—————–
Watch the movie at least. Or a smiliar and very recent one called The Lake House, starring Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock. Of course, movies convey half of the painting illustrated in the novel. Anyway, I think this book is better than Pride and Prejudice or Sense and Sensibility. Emma (the novel) is an interesting one.
Reading takes my mind off things. I need to pay overdue bills for campus’ library…..
