Persuasion - Jane Austen

A reluctant return to Jane Austen, whom I have never particularly enjoyed, had me pleasantly surprised in Persuasion. Her last novel, published posthumously in 1818, appeared to me a more refined and shrewd insight into human nature. Its comparative brevity also placed it advantageously in relation to her other books, cutting out much in the way of tedious digression and extraneous dialogue. A lot of the conversation is presented as indirect discourse, a welcome method in suppressing monotonous pontification. Usually turned off by Austen's subject matter, I remained uncharacteristically sympathetic to the main storyline this time round. A plot involving more relatable circumstances and a chord of familiarity struck? Or perhaps a general softening in advancing years, I was astonished to find myself not baying for the violent death of the heroine.

The plot of Persuasion is relatively straightforward. Sir Walter Elliot, a vain and spendthrift baronet, is widowed with three daughters and looking to downsize from his expensive estate. His eldest daughter Elizabeth, shares his haughty, cold-hearted ways, his youngest, Mary, is married off, whilst his middle, Anne, is the neglected black sheep, approaching spinsterhood at the age of 27. Years ago, Anne was engaged to Frederick Wentworth, a handsome naval officer, but talked out of it by a close friend due to his lack of money and social standing. Full of regret, she must now endure Wentworth's return from the wars as a rich and distinguished captain with ladies falling at his feet. Awkwardness abounding on both sides from the forced reacquaintance, Anne has no hopes of his rekindled affections, particularly so in that she's lost her looks.

Despite Anne's past fickle conduct and malleability, Austen manipulates internal dialogue in such a way that one cannot help but feel some compassion towards her misery. Those familiar with Austen's happy ending philosophy will never be in any doubt as to the outcome of the story, yet the 'how' more than sustains enough interest to keep one reading to the end. The satirical wit is as sharp as ever, padded out with plenty of astute observations on human weakness and folly, and as can be expected, the popular theme of ancestry and the landed gentry is explored, albeit to a much lesser degree. On this point, Austen seems more in favour of the self-sufficient, enterprising individual, as seen in the novel's strong sympathies with the navy. With two more to go before having read all of Austen's novels, it is likely that Persuasion and Pride and Prejudice will emerge as the best of the bunch.

Rating: 3/5