You’ve supported Jane Austen’s World since 2006, now it’s time to give back. Inquiring readers, I have enjoyed your comments and been most humbled by your visits. On the day that the 5 millionth reader visits my blog, I am giving a gift certificate of a Kindle mobi file from Amazon.com U.S. of Jane Odiwe’s Searching for Captain Wentworth. Who will it be?
Note: Contest Closed! Congratulations, Ruth!! Just leave a comment as to why you think that Persuasion is the best of Jane Austen’s novels. Or not. I am not picky. I just want your opinion. Click here to read my review of this time travel book.
The random generator drawing will be held on the day that my counter shows the magic number of 5 mill. (Estimate 1-2 weeks.)
Thank you, thank you for your interest and support. I intend to answer each comment, but will not include my replies in the drawing!
(Sadly, my offer only applies to U.S. readers. I do apologize to my foreign readers. Once again you are left out of the loop.)
Note: the green links lead to WordPress ads. The blue links are mine. I do not make money from my blog.
Jane Austen's World 
Congratulation, Vic, on your 5 million visitors and your very excellent and always informative web site!
As for Persuasion, there is no choosing favorites, but I love it for how JA steps back and takes a wider look at the society her characters live in and the way their world is changing. I love Anne Elliot’s patient and passionate intensity.
Thank you for your good wishes, Kathleen, and for leaving your comment. I agree about Anne. She is not a weak character, just one who was led by the advice of a confidante whom she loved — erroneously, to be sure, but how many of us aren’t guilty of the same mistake?
Pride and prejudice is better because Colin firth always comes to mind!!!
Which is when I drool!
5 million is QUITE an achievement! Congratulations! And thanks for all you do for the Austen community!
Barbara Tiller Cole
Thank you, Barbara, I enjoy your visits.
I always found the fact that Anne was an older character very appealing (not sure why since when I first read it, I was younger than her). And of course, who could resist the beautiful note Captain Wentworth penned to her at the end of the novel.
That note just speaks to our fantasies, doesn’t it? I love how he expresses himself.*sigh*
Wow – that’s very impressive – 5 million visitors! I know I am a “regular”. I would love to read Searching for Captain Wentworth – it sounds wonderful. And I love to read on my Kindle, so it would be great to win. I do choose favorites, and it’s Persuasion all the way. To me, Austen was at her peak (or, sadly – just coming in to her real power as a storyteller) when she wrote Persuasion – it’s a wonderful, captivating story that keeps me on the edge of my seat! ….”You pierce my soul!”
Julie
Julie, I have noticed your visits and thank you for stopping by.Don’t you just love your Kindle? (or Nook, for B&N readers). I love Persuasion because I can relate to Ann Elliot. And Captain Wentworth ain’t so bad either!
I do love my kindle – how else could I travel with every word Jane Austen wrote at my fingertips?
Second chances. Sometimes when we think we’ve lost love for good, we may be able to get it back.
That is the hope, isn’t it? I have been in that position plenty of times.
I love Persuasion as it is Jane Austen’s “mature” book- the characters are older, have lived past and through that young, first love stage, and find that a faithful heart is rewarded.
Teresa, I agree. What a wonderful last novel for Jane to complete. It makes one wish wistfully that she had survived to write even more novels.
Wow. Congrats! That’s alot of blogging. Good luck to you and your journey to the next 5M hits! Btw, I’ve really enjoyed your articles on various subjects. It’s been really interesting.
Thank you, Chris, and, yes, that is a lot of blogging. Thankfully I love this topic so much that it doesn’t seem like “work”. It does interfere with my trips to the gym, though! LOL. Thank you for stopping by.
Although Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility will always be my top favorites, I enjoy Persuasion because of the second chances theme. And, like all of Austen’s books, there is a memorable cast of minor characters rounding out the novel
Miss Melody, I am so glad you mentioned Sense and Sensibility, which at times gets short shrift. It is Jane’s secondary characters who usually make me laugh and understand the vicissitudes of life in the Regency era.
Congratulations on your longevity! I enjoy reading your thoughts each time.
I love Persuasion. Something about Anne and Frederick appeals to me. I think it’s the older heroine and the rediscovered love. Also, JA puts more of his words and thoughts in writing for us..
Of course, I like P&P and S&S, too.
Yes, so true, Elizabeth. As I age, I find Anne to be a character that appeals to me as well. Thank you for visiting.
Wow! 5 Million! Congratulations! I’m happy to be included with one of those many, many visitors. Although I don’t always comment, I love reading your posts! So much incredible information! It’s a wonderful blog! As for Persuasion, that IS my favorite JA novel. Stories about lovers torn apart and second chances always draw me in. And the tension in this book made me turn the pages, hoping that in the end they will be together again. This book is the kind where you want to just grab the main character’s hands and pull them together despite what everyone else says or thinks! Thanks for the giveaway!
Tricia, thank you for visiting. I must say that the second chances plot appeals to me as well, which is why I think you will love this Jane Odiwe take on Austen’s Persuasion.
Persuasion is indeed my favourite Jane Austen book for a variety of reasons. Anne is mature in more ways than one. Apart from age and experience, she also has the capacity to understand both her own deficiencies and the ones of those around her, while at the same time having the strength of laughing at herself when caught off-guard. The description of her assessment of feelings during their encounter at Molland’s is a perfect example of it all. Also, Mary.
Excellent analysis. I couldn’t agree with you more.
While she may not be as cleverly ang charming as Elizabeth, Anne Is the gentle
loving heroine (without Fanny’s prim
and self-righteous character) I will always
most admire. And Wentworth is a true naval
hero. Persuasion is my favorite
Jane Austen novel.
Thank you for your insight, Lady Susan. Captain Wentworth is certainly swoon-worthy and I truly wish he would appear in my life.
I always learn so much for your site that it’s no wonder there have been so many visitors. It really is a rarity. I appreciate all your hard work.
On to Persuasion. It is my favorite austen novel. As stated above the characters are so much more mature and the essence of hope thruout. You truly do come to detest the evil Sir William and the mention of elizabeth Eliot curls your toes. I love how Anne interacts with her nephews and Captain Wentworth pulls them off her. She seems to have genuine affection for all around her – even those Musgrove girls. smiles. I love how her friend Mrs Smith is portrayed – “a disposition to converse and be cheerful beyond her expectation. Neither the dissipations of the past, nor the restrictions of the present; neither sickness nor sorrow seemed to have closed her heart or ruined her spirits”…etc. I find her friend someone to emulate and someone you would choose as a true friend. It’s very moving to me.
I love that you mention Mrs Smith, for she is a true heroine, isn’t she? She maintains a positive attitude but she isn’t misled by that cad William Elliot, and sets Anne straight about his character. Thank you so much for visiting this blog!
Only a few short years ago, P&P was my favorite “child”. Persuasion was always waiting there, waiting until I could read ‘her’ with mature eyes & a more experienced heart. After reading Persuasion, I knew no other Author would be dearer to me. Oh, how I want to tell Jane how much I love her and how her books make me feel. As a daily visitor, I appreciate your devotion to JA World. Thank you and congratulations on 5 million!
Thank you, Bev, for your insights. Like you, Persuasion was my last JA novel, and I am so glad I waited until I was mature enough to appreciate Anne Eliot. My heart will always be with P&P, since that novel helped me to discover Jane, but my love for Jane Austen is distilled in this novel, her last completed book.
I love Jane Austen’s careful examination of human character. Quite often, like Anne, I have been influenced by other’s opinions and well meaning intentions. Also, like Anne I learned that I’m the one who knows best for me and my life. Ultimately, the choice for happiness and love is mine, and shouldn’t be influenced by friends or family. JA does a great job of having Anne discover these things, and presenting her as an older woman on the cusp of solidifying these discoveries and acting on them.
I could go on and on about Persuasion, and why I love it. However, it suffices me to say that I see so much of myself in Anne and that’s why I love it so much. I love all her books; her sharp wit; the social commentary; the love; the character flaws and development of maturity exposed for our inspection. So much good stuff in JA.
JAs characters are so vivid, aren’t they Christine? One can almost feel that you know them as intimately as people you have met. That is Jane’s gift to us. I love Elizabeth Bennet and Anne Elliot, and wish that I could meet them alongside Jane Austen!
Persuasion is my favorite Jane Austen novel because in the words of one critic, it has one of the most powerful happy endings in all of literature.
Anne has learned to trust her instincts. She is the only character to see through Mr. Elliot. She also senses that Captain Benwick will fall in love again.
Yes, this is one of the few novels whose ending truly satisfies the reader!
5 million. Wow. I would love to have that many visits to my work! I congratulate you on having a consistently fascinating blog. I visit several times a week.
Persuasion started from a different angle than the usual novel, even those that Miss Austen wrote. Her protagonist was older, a little jaded and disappointed in love. She had been hurt and had been living with that hurt. I identified more with Anne than I did with the protagonists of the other novels. That being said – Mansfield Park is my all time favorite Austen novel. There are so many layers in that book for readers of all ages and education.
Vickie Chance
Vickie, I love to listen to Mansfield Park. For some reason, the book’s complexity and its wonderful plot line are enhanced when you hear it read by a good actor.
You’re amazing, Vic… Five million visits to Jane Austen’s World is absolutely Wow!!!:oD
‘Persuasion’ is my favourite of JA’s novels, because: (1) It is the most romantic; (2) It was relevant 200 years ago, and still is in 2012; (3) Captain Wentworth wrote one of the most moving love letters I’ve read so far; (4) Captain Wentworth is the most heroic of JA heroes; (5) Although Anne Elliot was of a pathetically weak will in the beginning, she transformed herself into a woman of strong character and resolution in the end.
Good reasons all, Jazmin. I appreciate your visit to my blog!
Wow, Vic – 5 million hits! And I’m so touched and honoured that my book is the giveaway for this momentous occasion. Thank you very much! I wish you many more years and hits on your fabulous blog.
I’ve loved reading everyone’s comments – wishing you good luck!! Persuasion is my favourite book – and I’ve been inspired for this one not only by her wonderful novel but by Jane herself, her family, and the wonderful places her books inhabit. It’s a love letter to Jane, Bath and Lyme – I hope you enjoy it.
Such a fun romp you gave us, Jane. I do hope you don’t mind if I do NOT include you in the giveaway contest. LOL. (Don’t you just love convoluted sentences?)
5 million! I think about 500k of those are mine. Love the site… such a great resource and an excellent form of procrastination ;-)
I agree with those who love that Anne is an older heroine and the story is a “second chance” at love. Also… THE LETTER. I use a copy of it as my favorite bookmark, so even if I’m bored with the book I’m reading, the Captain is only a short reach away!
I may be biased, considering I just published a novel about Sophia Wentworth/Croft, but I have come to love Persuasion for the more finely nuanced set of secondary characters… I mean Sir Walter, Mary, Elizabeth, the Musgroves, the Crofts, Lady Russell, Benwick, the Harvilles, Mrs. Smith. The whole cast just seems to me to contain a wider variety of life than some of the other works.
Kim, it is Jane’s secondary characters that usually make me laugh or cry or want to throw my shoes at the wall. I love that you chose Sophia Croft as a heroine – I just love that plucky woman and her man.
Vic, the book is called My Dear Sophy. I would be happy to send you a copy!
Ooohhh how could I have left out Sophia Croft. I loved her character as well. Mrs. Smith still sticks with me the most and I think it’s because she’s so little referred to. However, Mrs. Croft is truly an encouraging female. Her adventures, her character, her constitution truly are things to admire in defining her strength.
Kim would love a copy, especially an ebook version, if you have one. Vic
I love Persuation because it surprised me. It is my second favourite book of Jane Austen (the first one being Pride and Prejudice). I love the book because it shows the second chance not everyone has with love. Anne and Frederick are more mature, they know their limits and their mistakes and they show up as new persons who know what they want. Eventhough for Frederick he takes longer to realise (of course he is a man) Anne is true in her feelings and she does not allow herself to be carried away with other people for the second time. Love the story I think is a perfect book.
I agree with you Cristina, the book is perfect. Like you, P&P and Persuasion are my two favorite Austen novels.
It is my favorite of all. The family of Anne, her life as the middle daughterand the 2nd chance of true love.
You make such a good observation of Anne as the middle daughter. She certainly is stuck in the middle of two impossible sisters, isn’t she?
I am new to your blog but have really enjoyed it. Thank you so much and congratulations on your 5 million. Persuasion ranks up with Pride and Prejudice as my two favorites. I’m not sure why, but it may be that I enjoy seeing the growth in Anne.
Yes, there is redemption and closure in Persuasion, which appeals to so many of us, for who among us does not seek it at some point in our lives?
oh noo! I’m from Italy! Ok, I can’t win but I leave you a comment because I find your blog really useful for me! I’m trying to draw a Graphic novel based upon Northanger Abbey, and I come to visit your pages really often! :)
Thank you, Gaia! When you complete your graphic novel, I hope I can review it!
Congratulationms on the milestone! Well deserved! Persuasion is my favorite…with the reuniting and crowning of faithful…albeit thwarted…love finally brought to fruition. I love the Amanda Root version best!
Oh, yes, Amanda Root and Ciaran Hinds. That Persuasion is so much better than the 2007 version with Anne’s romp through Bath.
Persuasion is one of my favorites too. I could relate to Anne better than any of the other heroines.
I certainly could relate to Anne better as I got older, which is why the book became my second favorite Jane Austen novel!
Wonderful musical of Persuasion played in Chicago in 2010 or 2011 Barbara Landis in the lead role. Truly a wonderful play…and book.
Ah, I would have loved to have seen that.
Persuassion is my favorite Jane Austen book because I love the second chance at love!!
Sigh. There was someone once … if only I dwelt in a Jane Austen novel.
Pride and Prejudice is effervescent and full of youth and the young vision of potential. But Persuasion shows the inner growth that comes from suffering, which gives Anne not only patience and compassion, but strength in the growing knowledge of who she is, her validity, and her worth. Both books make beautiful bookends for Jane Austen. Thanks for your wonderful site.
I am in total agreement with you, Linda. That inner growth of both main characters, for Captain Wentworth had to get over his anger, is so beautiful to see.
Suffering, when properly attended to, will provide humility. When I see a character who is subjected to suffering, especially if it is of their own making, learn from it, I’m totally putty in the author’s hand. Darcy of P & P is my favorite example of this, though Elizabeth Bennet comes a close second, if not his equal in this. Personally, suffering in my own life, of physical and emotional sorts, have yielded me a better person. I am kinder, much more patient, and know the value of a listening ear for the one hurting. It has made my life much richer. When I see a character redeemed by the pen of Miss Austen, I feel a deep sense of satisfaction. Suffering in itself is not laudable, but what we learn from it and apply to our lives is. I would love to win this book but will endeavor to find some way to acquire it. Congratulations on 5,000,000 hits! I’ve been with you for about 2 years or so now. I enjoy each post!
K, I have enjoyed your visits! Your point is well taken, in that every time I have encountered a forcible change in my life (death, divorce, moving from a beloved location, loss of friend), I have emerged a stronger and better person.
My favorite Austen’s novel is Pride and Prejudice but that said, Persuasion has its merits. Whereas Austen’s other heroines are in their late teens and early twenties, Anne, at 27, is considered past marrying age. She has made mistakes when it comes to love as Austen’s heroines tend to do and unlike like in Emma, Persuasion starts a decade later, giving the reader no hope it can be corrected. Of course, it is corrected and this is why Persuasion is so great. It shows love isn’t just for youth but can happen upon us at any time. Even as we get older and regrets may pile up that we think are undo-able, Anne gives readers hope by finding love again regardless.
Congrats on 5 million visits. 1 million of those must be mine as I check your blogs a couple times a week.
Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment. It is a pleasure to meet my visitors this way!
Wouldst that there was a Captain Wentworth in my past…
Indeed!
Or… perhaps your future?…
Northanger Abbey is my favorite Jane Austen novel. I like the nod to gothic novels and the bit of dark mystery surrounding the abbey.
I rather like Catherine – she’s naive but no dummy!
Congratulations on reaching an impressive milestone! I really enjoy reading your blog. Persuasion is hands-down my favorite Austen novel. It’s bittersweet, with an older heroine who truly deserves the second chance she gets. And, of course, the letter! *sigh*
Yes, and I do so want to be Mrs. Croft and gently take over the reins of the gig as he messes up his driving. The details in this novel are wonderful.
I usually love P&P best, but sometimes I am in a Persuasion kind of mood and it becomes favorite! I love the idea of love standing the test of time and second chances. (especially with Captain Wentworth.mmmmm…) I love Anne finally getting all the happiness she deserves. Thank you for the giveaway!
Yes, Anne deserves all that happiness. Well put.
Thank you for keeping this blog going for so many years. Yes, Persuasion is my favorite, esp. as I age! I love the perspective that age brings.
You are welcome! So glad that you have been visiting all this time. All these wonderful comments are prompting me to reread Persuasion once again!!
I could not possibly choose between Persuasion and P & P,,,they so completely bookend the marriage stakes of Regency England. (And Jane’s writing brings both so vividly to life.)
I can resign myself to not being eligible for the drawing—I already have a $20 free code with B&N (won on another blog) that I cannot use because I have no US billing address. (I was going to stock up on Georgette Heyers to light my way into the Regency fiction I’m trying.)
I must own to be touched by the reasons many of the commenters express for their attachment to Persuasion. This calls for a true story. I met D at a writers’ convention about the time she (mid thirties and never married) met a most unsuitable rake and was bowled over. We coached her for two years…most always by e-mail…until she pushed him out of her life. It was not easy for her, she asked me what she should give him for Christmas a few months after giving him the ‘final’ push. Oh no! No! No! No! My wife told her that it was never too late to find a better.
Well, she did, and six months after becoming engaged they married while she was in Endland last winter while doing research. We could not have been more pleased if she were our daughter. Never give up, you could meet Captain Wentworth tomorrow.
Chris H.
Hello Chris, What a great story. Yes, Waiting for Captain Wentworth (or an Anne Elliot, I might add) is the most sensible and romantic thing to do! So sorry to hear that the US codes do not work in other countries. One would think digital codes, at least, would cross geographic boundaries.
Congratulations Vic! 5 million visits, what an achievement! I love Persuasion and what I love most about it, besides Captain Wentworth and his letter, is the story of second chances. Anne finally gets the love she has waited so long for. She may have been invisible to many people but never to Captain Wentworth.=)
Excellent term, invisible. That is precisely what she is, except to the most astute people. Thank you for stopping by!
Actually Persuasion is my favorite book by Jane Austen! I feel more connected to Anne Elliot because I, too, have done what has been expected of me. This has not led to giving up the “wrong guy”, but it has led to giving up other things that I would have loved, such as a career that I have always wanted as opposed to going into business as my parents wanted. And, just like Anne, there comes a time when you are mature enough to tell your parents that your wishes ARE important, and you break out of your shell, and you follow your dreams! This happened to me about two years ago, and I am now following my own dreams and think of Anne’s plot quite frequently!
What a wonderful comment. Thank you for sharing your story!
Contest closed! Congratulations, Ruth! Thank you all for your comments and insights. I enjoyed reading them, and replying to them all.
Congratulations Ruth! I hope you enjoy Searching For Captain Wentworth.
Dear Vic,
Thank you so much for your very informative and interesting BLOG.
It is the first item I look for in my e-mails.
A day without Austen is a day without air.
Wishing us many more years of your blog.
Yours in Austen,
Judy Fox