Gentle Readers,
Some weeks ago my online friend Eric asked me a simple question: Which Jane Austen book would I recommend? He had already read Pride and Prejudice and seen the movie. First, I was so excited that a man wanted to read a Jane Austen novel, so without hesitation I replied: Persuasion.
Eric is 2/3 of the way through the book, and he has a few questions. For the fun of it I thought I would solicit the Janeites to help answer them. Here are his observations:
By the way, I’m two thirds of the way through Persuasion. It’s an odd book compared to Pride and Prejudice. Austen mocks people for their excessive class pride but she seems so class conscious herself it seems a little hypocritical. And Ann seems a little confused, too. She’s embarrassed that her family was forced to rent the manor and move to Bath but her original idea was to rent the manor and move into a cottage in their own village? That’s such a bizarre idea. I tend to wonder why they didn’t move to Bath sooner; the father and sister seem to be perfectly suited for that lifestyle.
And I had forgotten that the sisters were quite as old as they are. Still on the market in their late 20s? Shocking! I know Elizabeth’s age is made into a joke (she doesn’t seem to understand how she has gotten so old). But Ann is certainly piling on the suiters, isn’t she? Anyway, I’m enjoying it. Looking forward to seeing the movie! Eric
So, readers. Please feel free to make a comment and share your well-informed thoughts with Eric. I will mull his points over and make comments as well.
Ms. Place
Jane Austen's World 