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Persuasion (Abridged): Performed by Stephanie Poppins Audiobook
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(4.00) - 180,368 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Published posthumously in December 1817, Persuasion was Jane Austen's final completed work before her death in July 1817. It has delighted readers ever since. It is a historical romance, which delves into themes of love, social class, and individual agency. It revolves around the life of Anne Elliot who was persuaded when she was 19 years old, to break off her engagement with Frederick Wentworth, a promising, though relatively poor young lieutenant in the Royal Navy.
Lonely and unloved by her father and older sister, and considered of little consequence by her married sister Mary, Anne leads a dull life. However, after the naval war ends, Frederick Wentworth returns to England having earned prestige and fortune. Seven years have now passed. But has Anne gained enough independence from her family and social circle to choose her own future? And do her ties to Captain Wentworth remain unbroken?
In this delightful audiobook, all 24 chapters are masterfully brought to life by seasoned vocal artist Stephanie Poppins. Her bright and energetic performance expertly captures Austen’s signature wit and tone. And her attention to detail, her literary background, and her commitment to auditory excellence, make this a captivating listen.
This is the fourth audiobook in the Neworld Classics Collection.
Published by Neworld Books Limited.
Soundtrack written and produced by Jean Miles Carter.
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"Sorry, Pride and Prejudice fans, but I consider Persuasion as containing Jane Austen's greatest romance. A story of love tragically lost and the struggle to regain it after almost a decade of distance, it is Miss Austen's last novel and her most mature. The author builds tension and suspense gradually throughout the story and we begin to see the goodness of the deserving heroine Anne Elliott. The romance just ate me alive and the setting of Bath accentuates that. The theme has been used in romances over and over but this one, I believe, is the original and the best."
— Jeffrey (5 out of 5 stars)
Persuasion Listener Reviews
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" 3.5 stars. I loved Anne Elliot's character! "
— Clarisse, 2/20/2014 -
" Reading Jane Austen always makes me happy! "
— Michelle, 2/19/2014 -
" I enjoyed Persuasion about as much as Pride and Prejudice. I found Anne the most interesting of all Austen's heroines. I really enjoyed reading about an old lady of twenty and eight. The world used to be a horrifying place. "
— Joanna, 2/7/2014 -
" This book is super-romantic if you are young, white, and upper class! At least it is more gender-equal! "
— Caitlin, 2/5/2014 -
" I was uncertain about this book and it took me a few chapters to get into it since there was a lot of character buildup in the first pages and not much actually happened, but once that was passed I learned to love Anne Elliot much like I have loved Emma Woodhouse, Eliza Bennet, and Fanny Price before her. The love story was complex and beautiful and as usual surrounded by the coincidence so noted in Austen's writing and I enjoyed immensely the unfolding of the Elliot's &c lives. "
— Alyssa, 1/30/2014 -
" Good (of course), but still like Pride and Prejudice better. "
— Amy, 1/21/2014 -
" My favorite work by Jane Austen. "
— Chatita, 1/13/2014 -
" 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, 1/13/2014 -
" My favorite Jane Austin story. "
— Emily, 12/19/2013 -
" 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, 12/4/2013 -
" This annotated edition was beautifully done. It added to the reading experience for me, making me want to reread more classics this way. I wish there was a Sense & Sensibility edition! Wonderful quality production, nicely written notes, and beautiful pictures. "
— melody, 10/16/2013 -
" I love this book, a beautiful, poignant love story of second chances "
— Deirdre, 10/13/2013 -
" The beginning may start a bit boring but the story matures well if you have the patience. I however felt like the happy ending was rushed considering the long read. :) "
— Carol, 8/7/2013 -
" One of Jane Austen's novels that doesn't get enough attention! "
— Noor, 7/1/2013 -
" One of my summer goals to read more classics. "
— Jeaneen, 5/22/2013 -
" So happy I finished this re-read on Valentine's Day! Shapard's annotations aren't consistently interesting, but Persuasion is always a delight. "
— Joy, 10/31/2012 -
" She teaches how we use powers of persuasion while engaging us in the historicity of England. One of the best Romantic novels of all time. "
— Bob, 9/11/2012 -
" My favorite book of all time. "
— Jb34, 8/10/2012 -
" Last novel published. Seemed more grown-up than P&P, meetings between the two characters weren't as effusive as I'd expect. Still,a more mature work, beautifully written. Worth savouring at its own pace. "
— Oana, 8/4/2012 -
" I can't call this my favorite Jane Austen novel, because Pride & Prejudice is as perfect a book as I have ever read. However I loved this book- and found it only after I had read all of her others. Glad I did. "
— Rosy, 5/22/2012 -
" not really my style, but it's Jane Austin! "
— Clarissa, 4/20/2012 -
" The letter that Frederic wrote to Anna brought me to tears! Wonderful :-) "
— Anita, 2/27/2012 -
" More simple, restrained, character-fueled story-telling from a quiet master. "
— Jeff, 9/15/2011 -
" I loved this book! This was my first Jane Austen book and it won't be my last! wonderful for readers like me who love character development and a good romantic plot "
— Beth, 7/7/2011 -
" my favorite jane austen books. perhaps not as witty as 'emma" or vivacious as "pride and prejudice," but sweet and poignant and reflective. "
— lowercase, 7/7/2011 -
" although not my favorite Austen novel, I really liked this. Anne Elliot has Austen's usual protagonist's feistiness (although nothing like Emma) and she's likable. I did find it frustrating that Anne is somewhat negative and depressed for 2/3 of the book- but the end makes up for it! "
— Caroline, 7/7/2011 -
" I think this is the best of all her books. More mature, and more depth to the story. Beautiful. "
— Bekka, 7/6/2011 -
" My favourite Austen book. The characters are vivid, the writing is sharp, the dialogue is witty, and Anne's combination of heartbreak and hopefulness assured this book's prime place in my shelf. "
— Lena, 7/6/2011 -
" Everything I would say about this book that makes it great, you probably already expect because it is Jane Austen. It is a more mature, emotionally intricate book than her others. "
— Annie, 7/4/2011 -
" I believe this is Jane's best work. It steers away from the more "fluffy" aspects, and gives you a true contention on what it is like to live with regrets. It is endearing to watch Anne grow into and independent woman. "
— Candess, 7/4/2011 -
" This is one of my favorite books by her. "
— Susan, 7/3/2011 -
" This reminds me of the stereotypical Cinderella story- uncaring father, selfish sisters, limited means, and a handsome "prince"- set in Regency England. All in all a good book. "
— Jessie, 7/3/2011 -
" Great work of fiction. It shows the mature side of Jane Austen. "
— Darrelyn, 7/1/2011 -
" Help! I can't stop reading Jane Austen. Better late than never right? "
— Kari, 6/29/2011 -
" In many ways, Persuasion is a lot like Northanger Abbey. But, from my superficial knowledge of romantic relationships, I thought that Persuasion felt more authentic. "
— Ke, 6/29/2011 -
" Ranked #3 in my top 10 romance list "
— Danielle, 6/28/2011
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.