Have you been persuaded?
Me, yes. By the book. Reading Persuasion has been a good starter novel for the members of our online Jane Austen Book Club. This was JA’s last novel and at some point I agree that this could have been titled The Elliots instead.
Like Sinta and Sheng, I also had to adjust in dealing with the first few chapters. Unlike Odette who is used to reading classics. She even had JA’s biography before she got started with Persuasion. Odette wrote:
I thought jane was a writer distinct from that of her contemporaries, and to understand her novels, i might as well try to learn more of her.
I totally agree when she added,
and now, indulge me to my favorite quote in the book (not about our heroine though, but well, please indulge me anyway, as i fiercely believe it to be true!) : it sometimes happens that a woman is handsomer at twenty-nine than she was ten years before…”
Since I was reading different books in between, I can relate to what Sheng said:
I love the book though, it makes me understand love in a very different phase. But all the other blah-blahs are well, incomprehensible by my dysfunctional brain at the moment. I guess I am just too caught up with Twilight that I could not understand more of this fine book by Jane Austen. I would love Jane Austen’s other books I hope.
I was so astonished when JMom shared this:
Someone asked me sometime ago, “How do you feel when you’re talking to him? Do you feel any of the old feelings you had?” I answered, “Fine, we’re just like old friends now. He’s got his life, I have mine.” I meant it I certainly have no desire to ‘rekindle’ anything or to even want or wish for anything more than just friendship now. I am happy with my life, where I am, who I’m with.
BUT…
You knew that was coming, didn’t you? Now here are the what ifs. What if I listened to everyone instead of my misguided sensibility? What if I married him instead? What if I didn’t ever meet my husband now? Where would we all be today?
And I even asked, how do you deal with an old flame?
Sinta captured me with this:
My absolute favourite part of the story is in Chapter 11 when she talks to Captain Harville about the differences of love of a man and love of a woman. As Anne describes how women love; “All the privilege I claim for my own sex (it is not a very enviable one, you need not covet it) is that of loving longest, when existence or when hope is gone”. It expresses how she feels, how she loves and longs. In this one desperate sentence, she speaks raw of her heart in the presence of her want, who overhears this and is shaken.
And Jeanny asked the million dollar question,
After reading this novel…. I must say… all this comes forgiveness and aspiration. It also confirms that true love indeed stands the test of time.
Would you yield to forget love because of your family and close friends?
***
I understand it may be a little hard to keep up with the schedule. Given the naturally busy life, some of us are hopping from one book to another (like me!). There’s no need to hurry. The reading schedule is there to keep us at phase. But it’s not strictly finished or not, we’re supposed to pass our papers. For those who are still reading Persuasion, take your time. Leave me the link once you’re done with the related post and I’ll update the rounds up. =)
I say Hello Emma!
***
If you wish to know more about the book club and the reading schedule, click here.
0 thoughts on “Persuading Emma”
grace
Hi there! Thanks for the birthday greeting! I will be out of the country on the 22nd, so advanced happy birthday to your mom! 🙂
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rina
next to pride and prejudice, persuasion is my favorite jane austen book. i swear kinikilig ako dun sa part where frederick is eavesdropping on anne’s conversation with capt. harville. and there’s a scene where he went to the fireplace muna kunwari, para hindi obvious na gusto lang nyang lumipat ng pwesto sa tabi ni anne. or maybe that’s in another jane austen book. hmmm… 😀
rinas last blog post..i can’t even think of an appropriate title…
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witsandnuts
I agree, nakakakilig. 🙂 Hey, would you like to read with us/ join us in the book club?
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Vea
Oh my gosh. I’ve always wanted to read this since I’ve seen The Lakehouse. For some reason,though, I always forget to buy it whenever I go to the bookstore. Must add this to my To-Do List.
Veas last blog post..Rewarding Myself
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witsandnuts
Definitely a good read, Vea. 😉
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Sinta
To be honest, I can’t wait to read the October book now! I’ve really gotten into Jane Austen, but I’m trying to pace myself. I’m glad you enjoyed Persuasion ^_^ It is a lovely book.
Sintas last blog post..Twilight
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kayni
Oh my, I’m running behind on this book. No worries, somehow I’ll keep up (just like college)…lol.
kaynis last blog post..Quiet Weekend
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witsandnuts
Hey, no problem. Take your time. 🙂
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Pingback: The Jane Austen Book Club - Persuation Round Up at Found Not Lost
odette
what a great round up of the reviews!
this is fantastic, i am looking forward to read emma too. i have not checked her out of the library yet as the rain has been relentless the last few days. but i’ll get there. meantime, there’s the biography i still haven’t finished. 🙂
have you seen the movie becoming jane? heartbreaking but you’ll love it. it will give a good understanding why jane wanted happy endings for all her heroines. 🙂
odettes last blog post..my desk
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witsandnuts
Thanks, Odette. I’ll try to see the movie. So that I’ll understand where JA is coming from. 😉
Btw, I saw your new desk. Your “new place” is very nice. 🙂
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toni
FAIL! I’m not done with the book yet. =(
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witsandnuts
No problem,take your time. 🙂
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