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A ramble about "Persuasion"
Oct. 15th, 2004 04:37 pmMy personal Jane Austen-fest continues. After watching the movie version of Persuasion, I found there were quite a few bits that were kind of confusing, so I decided to read the book to clear up my confusion.
I finished reading it the night before last, so it only took me six days, which is incredible for me because I tend to be a very slow reader. But I really was surprised by how much I loved the book. I absolutely could not put it down for a second. Though I feel rather sheepish in admitting it, it's the first Jane Austen book I've ever read the whole way through!
I tried to read Pride and Predjudice a few years ago, but I got too bored and never finished it before it was due back at the library. I think it had something to do with the mixture of getting past all the old-fashioned language, which can be a bore in print, and knowing exactly what was going to happen, and therefore not feeling terribly compelled.
But with Persuasion, I actually found that knowing what was going to happen made it even more interesting, and the old-fashioned language didn't bother me at all. In fact, I loved the flavor it gave it. I think Persuasion actually, somehow, has more verve and energy than Pride and Prejudice. It was more alive and beautiful, and you really felt what Anne Elliot felt more than you felt for Lizzie Bennet. I know there are hordes of rabid P&P fans out there who would want to kill me for saying so, but I like Persuasion way more than P&P. Persuasion is so romantic and beautiful, and it's about taking risks and fighting for what you want, and following your heart, which is always my favorite theme in any book or movie. And I've watched the movie again since finishing the book, and I appreciate the movie even more now. And, of course, I think Amanda Root is absolutely perfect as Anne. She's such a good actress, and I usually only see her in supporting roles, so it's nice to see her in the lead, as one of my favorite Jane Austen heroines.
I could go on for hours more about this, but I'm being kicked off the computer now. Bah!
I finished reading it the night before last, so it only took me six days, which is incredible for me because I tend to be a very slow reader. But I really was surprised by how much I loved the book. I absolutely could not put it down for a second. Though I feel rather sheepish in admitting it, it's the first Jane Austen book I've ever read the whole way through!
I tried to read Pride and Predjudice a few years ago, but I got too bored and never finished it before it was due back at the library. I think it had something to do with the mixture of getting past all the old-fashioned language, which can be a bore in print, and knowing exactly what was going to happen, and therefore not feeling terribly compelled.
But with Persuasion, I actually found that knowing what was going to happen made it even more interesting, and the old-fashioned language didn't bother me at all. In fact, I loved the flavor it gave it. I think Persuasion actually, somehow, has more verve and energy than Pride and Prejudice. It was more alive and beautiful, and you really felt what Anne Elliot felt more than you felt for Lizzie Bennet. I know there are hordes of rabid P&P fans out there who would want to kill me for saying so, but I like Persuasion way more than P&P. Persuasion is so romantic and beautiful, and it's about taking risks and fighting for what you want, and following your heart, which is always my favorite theme in any book or movie. And I've watched the movie again since finishing the book, and I appreciate the movie even more now. And, of course, I think Amanda Root is absolutely perfect as Anne. She's such a good actress, and I usually only see her in supporting roles, so it's nice to see her in the lead, as one of my favorite Jane Austen heroines.
I could go on for hours more about this, but I'm being kicked off the computer now. Bah!
