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Persuasion Audiobook
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(4.60) - 80 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
The last novel completed by Jane Austen before her death, Persuasion is often thought to reflect on the author’s own lost love.
Sir Walter Elliot has raised his three daughters with his own sense of haughty pride. Elizabeth, at twenty-eight, has found no one good enough to marry, while Mary has, with some condescension, married the son of the local squire. The youngest, Anne, was persuaded to throw off her fiancé, Frederick Wentworth, eight years ago due to his lowly station in life.
When Wentworth returns from the Napoleonic Wars as a captain of wealth and rank, Anne must confront her remorse and her unrequited love for him as he appears to court another woman.
This is a story of second chances, humility, and the perseverance of love.
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"I couldn't put this book down. The twists and turns in the lives of Anne Elliot and Frederick Wentworth took me on the most emotionally romantic journey through all the peaks and valleys of the heart. This amazingly poetic story by Jane Austen was written with all the feeling and understanding of the uncertainties of a secret love that never dies. Only when that love bursts forth can one be free of the suspense of the unknown and truly live in peace and happiness! My life is the richer for reading this story."
— Linda (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“There’s no one to touch Jane [Austen] when you’re in a tight place.”
— Rudyard Kipling -
“Persuasion...is to me the most profound of her novels, and demonstrates a fresh mastery of Shakespearen inwardness.”
— Harold Bloom -
“[Austen] is a prose Shakespeare. She has a multitude of characters, all, in a certain sense, commonplace. Yet they are all as perfectly discriminated from each other as if they were the most eccentric of human beings.”
— Thomas Macaulay -
“Jane Austen’s last work, published posthumously in 1817, is her deepest and most introspective. Austen’s view of the drawing apart and coming together of Anne Elliot and Frederick Wentworth is both wintry and warm.”
— Globe and Mail (Toronto) -
“As always, Austen’s storytelling is so confident, you can’t help but allow yourself to be taken on the enjoyable journey.”
— Amazon.com editorial review
Persuasion Listener Reviews
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" Great Book, good story, Narrator was excellent! Very good description of the Victorian period. "
— Judy, 1/20/2024 -
" Dutifully read. Still a Philistine. It's a good thing they are short as I tire quickly and her books begin to sound the same to me. "
— Will, 2/19/2014 -
" One of Jane Austen's best works. Though slower-paced than most of her novels, it is well worth the effort to read. The depth of her character development and her insightful writing is an absolute treat! Also a wonderful re-read! "
— Linda, 2/19/2014 -
" This is my favourite of Jane Austen's books. If you haven't read it, then this is a must. It's timeless, and so movingly romantic. "
— Diane, 2/18/2014 -
" I'd never read this Jane Austen before. It always takes me a little while to get used to her style of writing, language, etc, and once I do, I become engrossed in the story. This story was especially interesting to gain perspective on not only women's rights and experiences during early 1800 England but also the experiences of the sick during that time (a great portion of the book takes place in Bath). I enjoyed it. "
— Rachel, 2/10/2014 -
" Not my favourite, but I still adore her social observations and wonderful wit. "
— Carey, 2/7/2014 -
" Loved this one. It may be my new favorite work by Austen! "
— Bonny, 2/3/2014 -
" I simply wish there were more Austen. I have a friend who refused to read Persuasion because she wanted to live in a world in which there was still another Austen book to read out there. "
— Martha, 1/22/2014 -
" Well.. The story was ok but I found it quite hard to read as I am not an english native speaker. Tough ,lovely story, though. "
— Aurora, 1/12/2014 -
" Maybe 3.5. I love Jane Austen but this wasn't my favorite of hers. I had a hard time keeping the characters straight. I did really like the ending and the letter is very touching but not my favorite Austen work. "
— Tasha, 1/12/2014 -
" My favourite Austen novel of all time <3 "
— Ashley, 1/7/2014 -
" An ok Jane Austen book... "
— Soniya, 12/30/2013 -
" Anne is almost to good to true. glad that she and Captain Wentworth got a second chance at love. "
— Margaret, 12/28/2013 -
" My first and still favorite Austin book. Love this time period and love the characters. "
— Kc, 12/14/2013 -
" My most favorite JA novel "
— Shannon, 12/7/2013 -
" Actually wasn't quite the story I had always imagined it would be, had a hard time putting it down still. "
— Lesley, 12/5/2013 -
" My favorite Jane Austen novel. A great book to curl up with in a comfy seat with a warm drink. Moving and poetic. "
— Kristen, 12/3/2013 -
" Really just okay for me. This Austen novel had arguably the least depth of the six, and I found the presence of four Charless, two Mr. Elliots, and half a dozen Captains to make for extremely confusing and frustrating reading. "
— Cary, 11/3/2013 -
" Well.. The story was ok but I found it quite hard to read as I am not an english native speaker. Tough ,lovely story, though. "
— Aurora, 10/8/2013 -
" This was my first Jane Austen book...loved the satire and the characters. Captain Wentworth's letter will make even those who don't care for romance swoon!!! "
— cindy, 9/11/2013 -
" I put the audio version under my pillow at night. It's like my adult blankie... "
— Amy, 4/14/2013 -
" Favorite Jane Austen book! I still feel the suspense on subsequent re-readings. Ann is a character I respect and like. "
— Joanne, 1/31/2013 -
" Definitely the best novel by Austen. "
— Elizabeth, 11/28/2012 -
" Another good romance. Austen writes so that you feel the emotions of Anne and get caught up in the whole affair. An entertaining and easy read. "
— Jamie, 11/5/2012 -
" My favorite Jane Austen. Worth reading again and again. "
— Kitty, 9/25/2012 -
" It's been so long since I read this that I didn't remember any of it. That part was fun. I thought it was a quick read, but not as funny as her others. In fact, hardly funny at all. But still good. "
— Joelle, 9/24/2012 -
" Really just okay for me. This Austen novel had arguably the least depth of the six, and I found the presence of four Charless, two Mr. Elliots, and half a dozen Captains to make for extremely confusing and frustrating reading. "
— Cary, 7/19/2012 -
" This is one of my favorite Austen novels. It has the most romantic ending of all :) "
— Alicia, 3/24/2012 -
" I thought that after "Proud and prejudice" I wouldn't be able to read a Jane Austen book with the same passion. I was wrong, I finished it in 3 days, I loved this book. "
— Raquel, 12/20/2011 -
" Good but definitely not my favorite Austen. That goes to P&P! "
— Amber, 12/20/2011 -
" Sweet romance along a winding storyline, and a perfect conclusion. A definite winner! "
— Borud, 11/25/2011 -
" I'm another one in the Jane Austen Fan Club. I like everything she wrote. The style is too "slow" or culture/lifestyle-focused for some people, but when given a chance, it's completely amazing. "
— Gretchen, 10/15/2011 -
" Still my favourite Jane Austen, and I would argue her best novel for the subtlety and complexity of her characters. Even if some of the sub-plots are similar to her earlier novels, they are more complex and have been clearly thought through in more details. "
— Lise, 8/25/2011 -
" I adore this novel. It's my favorite Austen read. "
— Mandy, 8/9/2011 -
" Besides Pride and Prejudice, my favorite Jane Austen novel! "
— Kelly, 8/9/2011 -
" I love this book, a beautiful, poignant love story of second chances "
— Deirdre, 4/17/2011 -
" This is the ultimate collection for any Jane Austin fan. It is gorgeous and look amazing on the shelf!! "
— Shellie, 4/2/2011 -
" This is the ultimate collection for any Jane Austin fan. It is gorgeous and look amazing on the shelf!! "
— Shellie, 4/2/2011 -
" This is the ultimate collection for any Jane Austin fan. It is gorgeous and look amazing on the shelf!! "
— Shellie, 4/2/2011 -
" This is the ultimate collection for any Jane Austin fan. It is gorgeous and look amazing on the shelf!! "
— Shellie, 4/2/2011 -
" Love the novels, but this collection of Austen's works was so big and heavy that I found it awkward to read. I donated it to the library. "
— Cristiana, 3/8/2011 -
" Love the novels, but this collection of Austen's works was so big and heavy that I found it awkward to read. I donated it to the library. "
— Cristiana, 3/8/2011 -
" Love the novels, but this collection of Austen's works was so big and heavy that I found it awkward to read. I donated it to the library. "
— Cristiana, 3/8/2011 -
" Love the novels, but this collection of Austen's works was so big and heavy that I found it awkward to read. I donated it to the library. "
— Cristiana, 3/8/2011 -
" Amazing book set, beautiful and well bound. Love having them all together in one compilation and what a set! <br/>Jane Austen is one of my favorite authors of all time! "
— Telisha, 3/5/2011 -
" Amazing book set, beautiful and well bound. Love having them all together in one compilation and what a set! <br/>Jane Austen is one of my favorite authors of all time! "
— Telisha, 3/5/2011 -
" Amazing book set, beautiful and well bound. Love having them all together in one compilation and what a set! <br/>Jane Austen is one of my favorite authors of all time! "
— Telisha, 3/5/2011 -
" Amazing book set, beautiful and well bound. Love having them all together in one compilation and what a set! <br/>Jane Austen is one of my favorite authors of all time! "
— Telisha, 3/5/2011 -
" An excellent collection, though lacking Austen's unfinished and unpublished work, it nevertheless beautifully presents all of her novels in a nice form. For details on individual novels, please see their respective reviews. 5/5 "
— Kereesa, 3/2/2011 -
" An excellent collection, though lacking Austen's unfinished and unpublished work, it nevertheless beautifully presents all of her novels in a nice form. For details on individual novels, please see their respective reviews. 5/5 "
— Kereesa, 3/2/2011 -
" An excellent collection, though lacking Austen's unfinished and unpublished work, it nevertheless beautifully presents all of her novels in a nice form. For details on individual novels, please see their respective reviews. 5/5 "
— Kereesa, 3/2/2011 -
" An excellent collection, though lacking Austen's unfinished and unpublished work, it nevertheless beautifully presents all of her novels in a nice form. For details on individual novels, please see their respective reviews. 5/5 "
— Kereesa, 3/2/2011 -
" I've read Pride & Prejudice and am now reading Sense & Sensibility. Along with reading these books, I am also collecting 2 versions each of the films. I enjoy them that much. "
— Ryver, 2/25/2011 -
" I've read Pride & Prejudice and am now reading Sense & Sensibility. Along with reading these books, I am also collecting 2 versions each of the films. I enjoy them that much. "
— Ryver, 2/25/2011 -
" I've read Pride & Prejudice and am now reading Sense & Sensibility. Along with reading these books, I am also collecting 2 versions each of the films. I enjoy them that much. "
— Ryver, 2/25/2011 -
" I absolutely adore Jane Austen, I have read this entire book at least 20 times. "
— Elle, 2/20/2011 -
" I absolutely adore Jane Austen, I have read this entire book at least 20 times. "
— Elle, 2/20/2011 -
" I absolutely adore Jane Austen, I have read this entire book at least 20 times. "
— Elle, 2/20/2011 -
" I absolutely adore Jane Austen, I have read this entire book at least 20 times. "
— Elle, 2/20/2011 -
" Highly impractical pocket for seven must-reads that deserve nice linen bindings.. At the time of publishing, e-books were not yet available. Nowadays, choose those to save on your holiday luggage.. "
— David, 2/15/2011 -
" Highly impractical pocket for seven must-reads that deserve nice linen bindings.. At the time of publishing, e-books were not yet available. Nowadays, choose those to save on your holiday luggage.. "
— David, 2/15/2011 -
" Highly impractical pocket for seven must-reads that deserve nice linen bindings.. At the time of publishing, e-books were not yet available. Nowadays, choose those to save on your holiday luggage.. "
— David, 2/15/2011 -
" Highly impractical pocket for seven must-reads that deserve nice linen bindings.. At the time of publishing, e-books were not yet available. Nowadays, choose those to save on your holiday luggage.. "
— David, 2/15/2011 -
" Highly impractical pocket for seven must-reads that deserve nice linen bindings.. At the time of publishing, e-books were not yet available. Nowadays, choose those to save on your holiday luggage.. "
— David, 2/15/2011 -
" bought it at a Spiritualist fete for £1. For all of her books, not a bad price. Unfortunately, it's also about a bazillion pages which makes it difficult to hold, and the font is awfully tiny. "
— Megan, 2/4/2011 -
" bought it at a Spiritualist fete for £1. For all of her books, not a bad price. Unfortunately, it's also about a bazillion pages which makes it difficult to hold, and the font is awfully tiny. "
— Megan, 2/4/2011 -
" bought it at a Spiritualist fete for £1. For all of her books, not a bad price. Unfortunately, it's also about a bazillion pages which makes it difficult to hold, and the font is awfully tiny. "
— Megan, 2/4/2011 -
" bought it at a Spiritualist fete for £1. For all of her books, not a bad price. Unfortunately, it's also about a bazillion pages which makes it difficult to hold, and the font is awfully tiny. "
— Megan, 2/4/2011 -
" The best collection of books! Whatever mood you are in,t here is an Austen novel to compliment! "
— Rosie, 1/16/2011 -
" The best collection of books! Whatever mood you are in,t here is an Austen novel to compliment! "
— Rosie, 1/16/2011 -
" The best collection of books! Whatever mood you are in,t here is an Austen novel to compliment! "
— Rosie, 1/16/2011 -
" Jane Austen's works all in one edition. It can't get much better than this. "
— Esther, 1/12/2011 -
" Jane Austen's works all in one edition. It can't get much better than this. "
— Esther, 1/12/2011 -
" Jane Austen's works all in one edition. It can't get much better than this. "
— Esther, 1/12/2011 -
" Jane Austen's works all in one edition. It can't get much better than this. "
— Esther, 1/12/2011 -
" I love Jane Austen. This is one of the few I keep on my shelf to re-read when I'm in the mood "
— Frances, 1/8/2011 -
" I love Jane Austen. This is one of the few I keep on my shelf to re-read when I'm in the mood "
— Frances, 1/8/2011 -
" I love Jane Austen. This is one of the few I keep on my shelf to re-read when I'm in the mood "
— Frances, 1/8/2011 -
" I love Jane Austen. This is one of the few I keep on my shelf to re-read when I'm in the mood "
— Frances, 1/8/2011
About Jane Austen
Jane Austen (1775–1817) is considered by many scholars to be the first great woman novelist. Born in Steventon, England, she later moved to Bath and began to write for her own and her family’s amusement. Her novels, set in her own English countryside, depict the daily lives of provincial middle-class families with wry observation, a delicate irony, and a good-humored wit.
About Wanda McCaddon
Wanda McCaddon (d. 2023) narrated well over six hundred titles for major audiobook publishers, sometimes with the pseudonym Nadia May or Donada Peters. She earned the prestigious Audio Award for best narration and numerous Earphones Awards. She was named a Golden Voice by AudioFile magazine.