S: I saw the 1995 adaptation last year, and I recently watched the 2007 adaptation. Honestly, I think both are well done! I do like that there are some familiar faces in the 1995 one from some of my favourite movies: Fiona Shaw, who played Aunt Petunia from the Harry Potter movies, is Mrs. Croft, Victoria Hamilton, who played Mrs. Forster in the 1995 Pride and Prejudice adaptation, is Henrietta Musgrove, and (this is my favourite) Samuel West, who played King Caspian in 1989’s adaptation of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, is Mr. Elliot! Oh, and we mustn’t forget that Ciaran Hinds, the indomitable Captain Wentworth, played Aberforth Dumbledore in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2! (Side note – Aberforth Dumbledore is one of my favourite characters in the Harry Potter universe.)

R: It’s always fun to see familiar actors in these movies! The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is my favorite Narnia book and my favorite of the BBC adaptations, partly because of Samuel West! They chose great actors to play Anne’s family. I was infuriated with them within the first few minutes of the movie! One of the actor choices that surprised me was Ciarán Hinds (Captain Wentworth). I felt he was far too old to be Frederick. I know there is several years’ age difference between Frederick and Anne, but I had a hard time feeling sympathetic toward him, or believing Louisa’s interest in him, as much as they tried to build it up.

Even with all of that, the scene when Anne and Frederick meet again after Anne reads his letter just about brought me to tears.

S: I agree with you that I had not pictured him as quite that old when I read the book. Oh, I loved when they were reunited! 

This version shows well how her father and sisters take advantage of her, but it also shows that she is, by others, very loved and respected. This adaptation is interesting because her sisters act as though they are jealous of her, whereas when I read the book, I saw them as more self-absorbed and just didn’t give a thought to her. 

R: Agreed! I enjoyed how they quickly established how Anne is treated by each of the other characters.

S: I also like how the actress portrays her: although it may take her a while, she is still able to speak her mind, it’s just that no one really listens. 

One of the funniest scenes is when she visits the Musgroves and everyone, save Mr. Musgrove, confides in her – I rewound it and watched it again, it made me smile so much.

R: That was a great scene! It went a long way toward establishing Anne’s place in the family and how they all view her. 

S: It does surprise me that in the movie more people remember Frederick and Anne’s interaction years before, but in the book, as I mention in our first discussion over it, it appears that no one remembers they were at all acquainted. I don’t mind it so much that the movie added this in, but it did throw me a bit and had me wonder if I was remembering the story correctly. 

I also enjoy the congeniality of the Crofts between each other, Anne, and Frederick; the interactions the larger Musgrove family has are very fitting! Their family does not seem stilted or as though they are pretending to like one another; they’re very loving. 

R: I loved that as well! Other than Anne, the Crofts were probably my favorite characters, in both the book and movie. It was nice to see a portrayal of a couple that actually love and respect one another. 

S: Agreed! 

Something that drew me into this movie is that the viewer gets a very good idea of the beauty of the English countryside; the scenery shots are lovely. And the music! So beautiful.

R: The costumes and scenery are excellent, as are all the Jane Austen adaptations of that era, though the British navy hats are somewhat ridiculous-looking, as are some of Sir Walter’s clothes. I assume those were some of the fashions of the times, however. 

I loved the candlelit and firelit scenes! Many historical movies are lit as if there is modern lighting, but the candlelight and firelight lent to the melancholy or intimate moods of many of the scenes.

S: Yes! The lighting choices are lovely. 

Oh, when Frederick helps Anne up for the Crofts to take her home after their walk – all the feels! 

R: Ah, the delightfully awkward meeting in Bath between Anne and Frederick! That was probably one of my favourite scenes.

S: Yes! It was so sweet and funny and heartwrenching!

Frederick’s letter scene, the circus scene, and the ship scene at the end are so beautiful and endearing.

Even though I said in our last post that this wasn’t one of my favourites of her novels, the movie has made me want to reread the book! Well, let’s be honest – I just want to reread all the things I’ve read by her!

R: As with all movie adaptations of Jane Austen’s works, events had to be compressed or left out, but overall, they did the story justice. I didn’t feel too much of a lack. I wish they hadn’t skipped over Mrs. Smith’s history with Mr. Elliot. It made the conveyance of his true character much more gossipy than as a true desire to save Anne from a disastrous marriage. Other than this, though, I thought the movie was quite well done and enjoyable. 

S: I quite agree! We really didn’t get that much of his sneakiness. Still, there is just so much to enjoy about this movie!

We are planning on a wrap-up post over the last few years of our journey through Jane Austen’s prayers and major works; our goal is to have it out in August.

(This conversation will contain spoilers for the current chapters.)

R: Well, my flabbers were gasted by Chapter 21! At the beginning, I thought that while Mr. Elliot was definitely set up as a rival for Captain Wentworth, he wasn’t actually a bad guy. But then the revelation from Mrs. Smith! I have to say, I think this is the first time that Jane Austen has completely fooled me in the character of any of her characters. 

S: Well, I’m sorry to say that my gut about Mr. Elliot was right – he reminds me of Mr. Wickham from Pride and Prejudice. I couldn’t peg him and even though he may actually love Anne I don’t think it matters considering how he treated Mrs. Smith after the death of her husband – it’s appalling. I feel for her and, even though she harbours a grudge, she really is a cheerful person which makes me like her even more.

I’m glad Anne is able to tell Mrs. Russell, just so she knows not to be enamoured with him anymore.

I agree with Anne that reading a letter someone wrote or a diary entry for that matter is a rather unfair way to judge someone’s character but at the same time it is part of who they are. It’s a grey area. 

R: The connection between Mrs. Smith and her husband and Mr. Elliot was a huge surprise, but it does explain a lot. I’m glad Mrs. Smith told Anne, though I suppose it’s possible that she’s making the whole thing up. The fact that she was originally willing to keep silent when she thought Anne was going to marry Mr. Elliot seems questionable. 

S: That is unfortunate. I wish she would have been willing to speak up so that Anne wouldn’t potentially suffer, but I can also see her wanting her friend to be happy if she’s truly in love.

Chapter 22 is one that makes me have some questions. I’m happy that some of the Musgroves are in Bath and I am glad that Captain Wentworth is with them, but I wonder at Mr. Elliot’s and Mrs. Clay’s meeting – are they making a deal and, rather than her pursuing Sir Walter and he pursuing Anne, they will marry? She would still become a Lady and he will still inherit the baronetcy and, most likely, they will have an heir.

R: I found this chapter a little meandering and confusing. I’m glad that Captain Wentworth is back and seems to realize that he might have been under a misapprehension about Anne and Mr. Elliot. The meeting between Mr. Elliot and Mrs. Clay is a puzzle. Your prediction is as good as anything I can think of. 

S: Once I got to the letter Frederick writes Anne in Chapter 23 I couldn’t help smiling; it makes me so happy. I am so glad that everything is out in the open between them and that he was humble enough to really observe her and listen to her words.

R: I enjoyed this chapter. Sneaky Frederick, writing a letter to Anne while she was sitting right there! I appreciated Anne’s words at the end of the chapter: ‘…I must believe that I was right, much as I suffered from it, that I was perfectly right in being guided by the friend whom you will love better than you do now’, speaking of Lady Russell. And further down: ‘…I was right in submitting to her, and that if I had done otherwise, I should have suffered more in continuing the engagement than I did even in giving it up, because I should have suffered in my conscience.’ While we may not always like what they have to say, it behooves us to listen to those God places in our lives when they give us wise advice.

S: I heartily agree! We must surround ourselves with wise counsel, and at the time, Anne and Lady Russell both acted upon the information they had, attempting to make a wise decision.

Chapter 24 is actually a pretty satisfying ending. I was certain that Frederick would meet Mrs. Smith and help her regain her husband’s property. I am very sad for Elizabeth, though. Overall, this is probably not one of my favourite novels of Austen’s just because I feel like there should be more to it. Everything just seemed to move so quickly, unlike her other stories. They are all definitely rereads for me but at the same time I do wish there was more to this one. 

R: I was pleased with the ending! I’m glad that they were able to help Mrs. Smith. I feel like it’s been consistent in most of Austen’s novels that the wrap-up happens in the last few pages rather abruptly. Overall, after a slow and confusing start, I did enjoy Persuasion, but I agree that it isn’t one of my favourites. I’m looking forward to watching a screen adaptation and discussing it. 

Our final discussion for this book will be over the 1995 adaptation of Persuasion!

(This conversation will contain spoilers for the current chapters.)

S: My question has been answered: Mr. Elliot is a widower. I feel a little better about him now that I know that if he is pursuing Elizabeth again, or perhaps Anne, his first wife is no longer living. My gut instinct is that he just wants the Elliot money and estate, although I fully acknowledge that I am making a rather large assumption which, as I have been saying for a while, is one of the things that annoys me most about a lot of the characters in this story.

I tell you what, though; this family is continuing to drive me up the wall. I’m with Anne on how it looks for the Elliots to secure knowing the Viscountess after all these years – it is really too much and just doesn’t look good. Not that we need necessarily worry about what others think, but at the same time we have to have integrity, and Sir Walter and Elizabeth are not quite doing that. It just doesn’t seem prudent the way they’re going about it.

Also, it does appear that Mrs. Clay is not to be trusted. I’m still not sure about Mr. Elliot, but we’ll see. 

R: This chapter made me like Mr. Elliot! Especially the conversation at the end between him and Anne. It’s difficult to tell whether he is showing romantic interest in Anne or not. If he is, it’s very subtle. He doesn’t have any real motivation for having to marry Elizabeth because he’s already the heir to the estate, so I could see him pursuing Anne simply because he likes her. I had forgotten about Mrs. Clay until she was mentioned here, and we have also had new characters introduced – Lady Dalrymple and her daughter – who are other cousins of the Elliots. 

S: I am so glad we get a break from the Elliot family and am happy it comes in the form of Anne reconnecting with her governess and her old schoolmate. It makes me even happier that, even though Mrs. Smith is poor, Anne obviously doesn’t care about that as much as her father and sisters do. Also, I’m happy that Anne feels about Mr. Elliot the same way I do. Really, who is he?

R: Anne’s family is driving me crazy! They are so shallow and rude. I was surprised by the introduction of yet another new character, but I like that it’s Anne’s old school friend and that they’re able to renew their acquaintance. This chapter also increased my appreciation for Mr. Elliot, despite Anne’s hesitation over his character. She might be right about him, but currently, I agree with Lady Russell that he might make a good match for Anne. I was a little surprised that Anne does have some strong feelings about returning to her home and possibly becoming Lady Elliot, though her practicality rears its head again. We also see that Anne definitely still has feelings for Frederick. One line particularly caught my attention; a description of Anne in contrast with her school friend Mrs. Smith: ‘Twelve years had changed Anne from the blooming, silent, unformed girl of fifteen, to the elegant little woman of seven-and-twenty, with every beauty except bloom, and with manners as consciously right as they were invariably gentle…’ My first thought was wondering what Austen means by ‘bloom’ as a description, and whether Anne really lacks by lacking said bloom when the description still calls her elegant and beautiful. 

S: It’s a pretty description.

In Chapter 18 the plot thickens, and I see my guesses were correct that Louisa and Mr. Benwick end up together, although it still seems to me that that whole side story moved a little too quickly.

The way Admiral Croft speaks at the end of the chapter makes me think that he and Mrs. Croft really like Anne and hope that she and Frederick end up together. 

R: Well, Admiral Croft seems to be a big old gossip! But I’m glad that he assures Anne that Frederick isn’t upset by Louisa and Captain Benwick becoming engaged. And now we have the setup for Frederick and Anne to be in each other’s company again, if he accepts the Admiral’s invitation to visit them in Bath. I wonder if Anne is still apprehensive about seeing him or if she’s more comfortable with the idea now.

S: I laughed at Admiral Croft talking with Anne; it was so funny to me. It felt almost as though he was actually being more of a father to her than her own father. I was not expecting that Frederick and Anne would meet again so soon. Of course, since he’s now free, Anne is very excited and confused. Mrs. Smith’s statement about Anne not spending a lot of time with her after the concert is strange and there has got to be history there with either the Elliots or Lady Dalrymple. 

R: Anne definitely seems to be thinking of trying to renew her acquaintance with Frederick! It’s difficult to know what he’s thinking, but he at least doesn’t seem opposed to it. Austen appears to be setting up Mr. Elliot as a rival for Anne’s affections. It will be interesting to read how it all plays out!

S: I am so happy that in Chapter 20 Anne and Frederick see each other and have a conversation, but my goodness Frederick needs to get a grip. He is assuming so much about Anne and Mr. Elliot. I wonder, based on Mr. Elliot’s statement about how he already knows a lot about Anne’s character, if he and Frederick have a past friendship. 

R: I wondered the same thing, but then the end of the chapter when Frederick leaves leads me to think that they must not already be acquainted. I was so excited at the beginning of the chapter when Anne and Frederick finally got to speak and clear the air a bit. I was correct, however, about Mr. Elliot being set up as a rival.

S: It’s difficult to believe there are only four chapters left!

(This conversation will contain spoilers for the current chapters.)

S: Austen keeps introducing us to more and more characters, which isn’t a bad thing, but it does feel as if the story is moving almost too rapidly now.

I’m happy that Anne was able to talk with Captain Benwick, and that she is feeling stronger about being near Frederick. Although, I think they need to at least talk everything out, but how? I wonder if Benwick will end up liking Anne or if they will remain friends. Austen makes a good point that sometimes we can help others and give great advice even if we find it difficult to take the advice. 

R: I’m also wondering about Captain Benwick! Is Austen setting him up as a potential love interest for Anne, especially as a way to spur Frederick to reevaluate his own feelings about her? The scene between Anne and Benwick was sweet. I like that Anne has the personality to approach the person who seems disconnected from the group and engage with him.

S: Also, I now want to read all of the books and poetry Austen has mentioned in her works. My to-read list continues to grow and I need to admit to myself that at some point I will just not make it through everything, sad as that is. (I am aware that it doesn’t help that I am a re-reader!)

R: I have a confession: I am a poetry Neanderthal. I like limericks, haiku and nonsense poetry. I have encountered very few serious poems that have done anything for me. I am so ashamed. 

S: Oh no! That’s funny, but no need to be ashamed.

Chapter 12 left me with mixed feelings. I think this is the first time reading an Austen novel where I felt that something happened to simply move the story along: Louisa’s fall. It just seems a bit out of the blue. I suppose accidents like that are out of the blue, but it really threw me. Louisa is, like Lydia Bennet from Pride and Prejudice, strong willed and stubborn, and I hope Frederick sees how that is not always a good thing.

I like Austen’s observation through Anne: ‘She thought it could scarcely escape him to feel that a persuadable temper might sometimes be as much in favour of happiness as a very resolute character’. I know I’ve said something similar before, but I hope Frederick sees how much Anne has changed and how cool and collected she is.

R: The beginning of Chapter 12 is interesting, with the introduction of a mysterious man showing much interest in Anne in two different encounters, only for us to learn, along with the characters, that he is actually a cousin of Anne’s and, if I understand correctly, her father’s heir, as he had no sons. 

I was surprised by Louisa’s sudden accident. It seemed to be very childish behaviour. I agree that Lydia Bennet is a good comparison for her. 

S: I have a feeling that Louisa and Captain Benwick will end up together, which is another reason it feels like a weird chapter. Maybe it feels as though Austen is trying to fix a potential problem?

R: I had the same thought. I wonder if Frederick’s strong emotion about the situation has more to do with him feeling like it was his fault for not catching Louisa, rather than his having romantic feelings or intentions toward her.

S: Agreed. Also, Mary’s jealousy is still just as annoying as it ever was. 

R: Agreed, Mary is so selfish! At the same time, I don’t think it’s quite fair that it’s assumed that Anne would be fine with being left to nurse Louisa. 

Was Austen referencing her own work (Emma) when she writes, ‘Without emulating the feelings of an Emma towards her Henry, she would have attended on Louisa with a zeal above the common claims of regard, for his sake; and she hoped he would not long be so unjust as to suppose she would shrink unnecessarily from the office of a friend.’? Or did I miss something else in this story that it was in reference to?

S: Hm, that’s a good question; I wondered about that as well. It’s actually pretty funny if she is referencing her own work!

Chapter 13 is a nice, slow chapter. I like that Anne speaks her mind to Lady Russell about the house. I do not think Mrs. Croft knows about Anne and Frederick, but I do wonder if she suspects something happened between them, or perhaps hopes something will happen between them. 

R: This was a good transitional chapter. It establishes that Anne feels herself free of feelings for Frederick, but also not at risk of meeting him any time soon. I’m not sure if the Crofts know of Anne and Frederick’s previous relationship. I didn’t see anything to indicate that they do, but it’s possible. They could have heard of it upon moving into the neighbourhood. Surely some neighbour would delight in relating the events. Overall, as you said, a slow chapter. 

S: As we get into Chapter 14 I think it is obvious Captain Benwick likes Louisa, and I wonder if Frederick senses that. He does not seem like a man who would stand in the way of his friend’s happiness and, even though he appears to have been courting Louisa, I’m not convinced he really loves her. This is another slower, more informative chapter.

Also, I honestly don’t know what to think about Mr. Elliot, but my first impression is not a good one. Is he still married? Divorced? Widowed? I’m very confused. 

R: My impression from Mary and Charles is that Captain Benwick likes Anne, but that could be a misunderstanding on both their parts. I wonder if Mr. Elliot learned who Anne was and is trying to get to her or if he’s mending fences with the family independently of his encountering Anne already.

S: As Chapter 15 closes I now wonder if Mr. Elliot is going to end up liking Anne. This was not one of my favourite chapters simply because of the characters of Sir Walter and Elizabeth. This set of chapters left me feeling confused and a little annoyed because it seems less Austen-y, if that makes sense, than her other novels. I’m hoping the rest of the book is more satisfying. 

R: I don’t care for Sir Walter and Elizabeth at all, but I liked this chapter. Mr. Elliot treats Anne better than her own family does, and definitely seems to like her. It does seem disconnected from the rest of the story. I’m curious if Austen will bring the two groups together or take Anne back to the rest of her family.

(This conversation will contain spoilers for the current chapters.)

S: Ah, the moment we realise nobody cares about us more than we care about ourselves! It’s funny, and true, how Anne is surprised that the move to Bath by her father, sister, and Mrs. Clay is not the most important thing to the Musgrove family.

R: I would have been a little surprised along with Anne, since Mary is her sister. It seems that she ought to have some interest in what’s happening with her family. But as we see in this chapter, Mary is quite self-centred. 

S: Very self-centred! I’m amused and saddened by Anne’s observations regarding the Musgroves, and how much of a confidant she is to all around her. Just as I cannot abide Elizabeth and Sir Walter, I cannot abide Mary. It is so sad that the things Sir Walter passed on to his youngest and oldest daughters were pride, jealousy, and vanity. 

R: Agreed! Charles Musgrove seems to have some sense, but as with the others, he shouldn’t be airing his complaints about his wife to Anne. I’ve been the recipient of confidences about other people I know, and it’s always coloured how I view that person and made it difficult to get along with them.

S: That can certainly happen, and is perhaps one reason why the Bible teaches against gossip and cautions us to be careful of our words. 

R: Absolutely! Gossip is so harmful, and that’s a theme we see throughout Jane Austen’s books. 

S: I did wonder how Anne and Captain Wentworth would meet again. I enjoy how, in Austen’s novels, people are connected in the most peculiar yet plausible ways as in the case of the Musgroves and Captain Wentworth. Although I don’t know much about Captain Wentworth yet, he seems to be a good man. 

R: It was amusing that with the way Mrs. Croft spoke, Anne couldn’t tell which of her brothers she was speaking of. I wonder if the elder Musgroves’ feelings about the death of their son, after having been under the command of Captain Wentworth at an earlier time, will be a significant part of the story.

S: I wonder that, too. 

There is a part in Chapter 7 that made me laugh aloud: ‘Husbands and wives generally understand when opposition will be vain’. How true! The more you’re around another person the more you understand how they think. 

R: I’m certainly finding that to be true! That said, the application in this chapter is sad, or perhaps disappointing. I’m not sure whether I think that one or both parents should have stayed with their injured son rather than going off to dinner or not. While Charles could be seen as unfeeling, and Mary perhaps even moreso; at the same time, if the injury really isn’t that severe, leaving him in Anne’s care may be sufficient. However, it certainly seemed as if they had reason to worry about a spinal injury. 

S: One thing I’ve noticed is that there are a lot of assumptions made about Anne – she’s fine with this, she’s uninterested in that – it bothers me, but she has her assumptions as well, mainly regarding Captain Wentworth. Speaking of Captain Wentworth, I’m so sad he doesn’t seem to realise how strong a mind and how sweet a manner Anne now has compared to when she broke off their engagement! My fairly educated guess is that in the end they are going to end up together and all will be forgiven, but right now all I feel is sad.

R: Austen writes at the end of Chapter 7: ‘…and Anne Elliot was not out of his thoughts, when he more seriously described the woman he should wish to meet with. ‘A strong mind, with sweetness of manner,’ made the first and the last of the description.’ I read that as that is how Captain Wentworth describes Anne, that that is how he sees her, even now. He’s looking for someone like her, if not Anne herself.

S: Oh, true!

Chapter 8 is interesting. Captain Wentworth, Frederick, certainly has opinions, which bothers me a bit, but they are also understandable opinions considering he was not expecting to run into Anne ever again and, presumably, still feels hurt and betrayed. I do wonder, though, what he actually is thinking when he looks at Anne. Is he trying to figure her out or does he want to try and reconnect with her?

R: I was annoyed initially at Frederick’s opinions about women on ships. At the same time, I get it as being the thoughts of the times, and I can appreciate that his dislike of women on ships has more to do with their comfort than any other reason. What made me sad were Anne’s thoughts at one point near the end of the chapter: ‘Once she felt that he was looking at herself, observing her altered features, perhaps, trying to trace them in the ruins of the face which had once charmed him…’ As someone who has only recently gotten married, well past the age that is considered typical even now, it is upsetting that anyone would consider themselves ‘ruined’ while still in their twenties. Ladies, your life isn’t over if you haven’t married before 30, or even 40!

S: Or, if you never marry! 

I do not know how I feel about Charles Hayter. I understand where he’s coming from and why he has such dislike for Frederick, but his conduct with Walter was a bit appalling and I, like Anne, am glad Frederick stepped in to corral the child. It’s interesting to note that this is one of the only times, perhaps the first in Austen’s works, that we see an adult speak directly to a child. The children are sort of out of the way most of the time but Mary’s children are, right now, very much part of the story. I wonder if Frederick’s help in that situation may be the turning point in his feelings for Anne.

R: I feel so sorry for Anne being forced to listen to her sister and brother-in-law’s machinations to get one of their daughters married off to Captain Wentworth. I also feel bad for Charles Hayter, who feels that Frederick is impinging on his ‘territory’ with Henrietta, when it doesn’t seem that Captain Wentworth has his cap set at anyone in particular at the moment. His stepping in to help Anne with Walter was, at minimum, simple common decency and helpfulness, but may show that he doesn’t hold Anne’s previous actions against her, or that he sees her in a better light than she expects.

S: Yes! That’s what I’m hoping Frederick is thinking. 

I absolutely love what Austen says about Autumn in Chapter 10 (so much so that I reread it aloud!): ‘Her pleasure in the walk must arise from the exercise and the day, from the view of the last smiles of the year upon the tawny leaves and withered hedges, and from repeating to herself some few of the thousand poetical descriptions extant of autumn, that season of peculiar and inexhaustible influence on the mind of taste and tenderness, that season which has drawn from every poet, worthy of being read, some attempt at description, or some lines of feeling’. 

R: That is a really lovely description!

S: I think I am okay with liking and feeling bad for Charles Hayter, although I do wish that if he really does love Henrietta that he would fight for her rather than pout, even if she outrightly rejected him. In the end, it worked out because he and Henrietta end up together, apparently for good.

I love the addition of the Admiral and Mrs. Croft, and I think I really like her character. I also cannot see Frederick helping Anne be able to sit in the carriage with the Crofts as a bad thing and instead see it as Anne does – he notices she is tired and helps her get home comfortably. I suppose he could just want to get rid of her so he can spend more time with Louisa, but I don’t think so.

It is strange that people think Anne turned down Charles because of Lady Russell. That’s very presumptive, albeit a very probable idea, but I do wonder if it makes Frederick even more convinced that Anne is easily persuaded by others. 

R: I’m not sure what to feel about this chapter. Was Louisa lying to Frederick about Anne turning down her brother? That seems to be the case (unless I missed something earlier that said this happened). I did like that Captain Wentworth went out of his way to ask the Crofts to take Anne home in the carriage, but I feel bad about them talking in front of her about Frederick’s possible pursuit of Louisa or Henrietta. Does nobody besides Anne’s own immediate family know that they were on the verge of being engaged years ago? If they do, it seems highly insensitive of all of them!

S: Agreed! It’s very upsetting, and makes it difficult to not be annoyed with the lot of them. Still, I think that, so far, Chapter 10 is my favourite chapter.

(This conversation will contain spoilers for the current chapters.)

S: I was absolutely floored as I read Chapter 1! A fifty-four year-old widower full of pride and vanity, with contempt for his middle and youngest daughters, and the eldest daughter whose hopes have been dashed to pieces because she has not married the heir apparent to her father’s estate – I was going to say you can’t make this stuff up, but Austen certainly did! This family now finds itself frantic because money is running out.

R: This was a very different opening chapter from the last book! And quite a bit less interesting, at least initially. I’m immediately annoyed with Sir Walter and feel sorry for his children.

S: Indeed. So far, I’m not a fan of either Sir Walter or Elizabeth, although Elizabeth might be excused since she has tried so hard to uphold her father’s ideals without her tempering mother, bless her. The fact that Anne, the middle daughter, is essentially seen as a nobody by her family is distressing, and it is odd to me that the youngest daughter is the only married one, yet Sir Walter seems to have no qualms about that. Of course, since he seems to only care about Elizabeth, I suppose that makes sense.

R: Agreed! Sir Walter is obviously not caring for his family as he should. It is a bit odd that the youngest daughter should be the only one married, but it did happen occasionally. And I could also see that it’s her father’s attachment to Elizabeth that might have curtailed any prospects.

S: I believe we have found our heroine in Anne in Chapter 2, and, I have to say, I’m very pleased (I really didn’t want the heroine to be Elizabeth!). Anne appears to be very pragmatic. It saddens me that her father and sister believe they would be better off moving to Bath and letting Kellynch Hall, rather than living a bit more frugally as Anne suggests.

R: I’m glad that between Anne and Mrs. Russell, they’ve convinced Sir Walter to make at least some economies. While it would have been best to follow Anne’s plan, likely it was Mrs. Russell’s influence in tempering Anne’s rigidness that made it possible for Sir Walter to accept making any reductions.

S: I am unsure how to feel about Mrs. Russell. I appreciate that she loves Anne and respects her opinions, but the fact that she also doesn’t truly see her is unsettling given how much influence she apparently has over her. 

Is Mrs. Clay a bad friend for Elizabeth to have? Austen seems to hint at that. Her father, Mr. Shepherd, the Elliot’s barrister, certainly seems rather eager to let the house and have his daughter be Elizabeth’s close friend. I wonder if they’re up to something. I could be reading them unjustly, but, given what I’ve learned while reading the other Austen novels, I wouldn’t be surprised. 

R: I didn’t see that, but you could be right about Mr. Shepherd and his daughter. They also could just be eager to assist. I suppose there could be some element of self-interest. I imagine that the barrister would have to be paid out of the rents for the estate.

S: I have a feeling that one of the cautions in this novel will be to ‘choose your friends wisely’.

As Chapter 3 gets underway, I’m enjoying Anne’s character more and more. Not only is she pragmatic, she seems to not be swayed by emotion, and gives observational answers to questions. Still, as much as I am enjoying getting to know Anne, I cannot abide Sir Walter’s pride and vanity – it rankles me. Also, who is this Mr. Wentworth? Is this the man of whom Anne speaks when she retreats outside to think about the person who may be walking her father’s grounds one day?

R: Anne reminds me a little of Elinor from Sense and Sensibility with her pragmatism and sense. I am also not a fan of Sir Walter’s attitude.  

S: Yes, she does remind me of Elinor! 

I feel like Chapter 4 came out of nowhere, and I was certainly not expecting it! To know that Anne had a short-lived engagement and broke it off because of bad advice and prejudice (although with no prejudice on her part) makes me really sad. It also makes me sad that no one seems to remember their history. That has to be difficult for Anne to continually feel forgotten. I’m already hoping she and the now Captain Wentworth are able to work things out. This is going to be an interesting story because I had not expected the bulk of it to take place after the misunderstanding, but I’m also glad it does. It would have been painful to read.

R: This is the one part of the story that I remember, or have heard enough about for it to be somewhat familiar. I like how Austen introduces the situation here rather than right at the beginning. The first few chapters make more sense to me now as establishing Anne’s current circumstances before Captain Wentworth is, presumably, introduced again. It did surprise me a little that Lady Russell, who has been such a friend to Anne, would have advised Anne to not marry Frederick Wentworth. Though I suppose this could be seen as looking out for her, as he was penniless at the time and didn’t appear to have any prospects.

S: As I read Chapter 5 I thought of a few character comparisons that make me laugh: Mary Musgrove reminds me of a young Mrs. Bennet from Pride and Prejudice, Anne (as we have already mentioned) reminds me of Elinor Dashwood, and Elizabeth reminds me of Mrs. John Dashwood, both from Sense and Sensibility. Anne already seems like the lady of the house rather than Elizabeth as she visits and says goodbye to everyone. I hope that her warning about Mrs. Clay doesn’t go unheard, but I have a feeling it will. Still, sometimes it is important to speak out about something you know is wrong. Even if it doesn’t change the person’s mind, your conscience is clear.

R: I agree with your comparisons between the different characters. The discussion regarding Mrs. Clay was interesting. I wonder if anything will come of it, or if it will be consequential at all. I’m finding this book a little harder to get through so far. I hope it will pick up as we go on. 

S: As of right now, I have really enjoyed this story and am excited to read the rest, even if some of the characters annoy me to no end.