[Buddy Read] Persuasion by Jane Austen

Kit said:
Anne and Elizabeth seem like quite agreeable people. Walter Elliot, and the youngest Mary, seem to be quite vain and stuck up. Actually it's pretty interesting that Mary claims she is "unwell" when she is simply.. lonely and sad. I believe that is a valid reason for calling yourself unwell but it surprised me to see. I can't help but feel how detached from the working class life these people are.

Kit said:
Lady Russel seems quite kind but I'm curious about her (and Anne's) hostility toward Mrs Clay. The only hint I could get is that they perhaps think she will try to seduce the father, or that perhaps the father would unwittingly become seduced by her, being a single woman. The hatred looks quite unnecessary though... Interested to see how that side story develops. Also they keep calling her ugly... again, this is so ridiculous that it's just funny to me. I guess rich people put a lot of stakes on appearances.

Kit said:
Speaking of absurdities, it's interesting how Mr. Elliot would rather just move to a new house than stop having servants and horses and constantly spending money on upkeep. Would that really save money? I suppose, but only because he's renting out the house to someone else. Where I am in the book, they didn't talk much about what the house in Bath is like, so I'm not sure if they're renting or happened to own property there or something, but hopefully it doesn't cost as much in upkeep.

Kit said:
and that charles hayes... dang, he leaves for 2 weeks and his sweetheart just forgets about him, harsh

So Anne and Wentworth, or should I call him Fred? Frederick is too hard to type, anyway, the two of them are slowly starting to spend more time around each other, but not communicating until theres literally a crisis.... Its a little frustrating to see them not talking. And especially when Anne says he is in love with neither Miss Musgrove in one chapter, but in further reading he is clearly falling in love or heavily preferring and trying to seduce, one of them 😭 Poor Anne is right here... pls talk to her more! But she doesn't want to talk to him either. These ppl. so stubborn. I keep hoping they will accidentally get into a situation where they are alone together but it doesn't seem so. Actually it feels bad to even root for Anne when he clearly prefers.. whats her name, louisa, so much and is constantly by her side..

On the other hand though, if Captain Wentworth doesn't work out.. Captain Benwick is looking preeetty good over there in Lyme 👀 😏 Though I'm kidding... I think they are just friendly and get along quite well. It would be nice to see more of him though in general 😊 because I like him. But again.. all the way in LYME 😭

Speaking of Lyme, I enjoyed the chapters taking place there.. It was kind of cool to see them sight seeing and visiting friends of Wentworth. Omg i was so freaking surprised when the narrative said that even though that was just exaggeration. My thinking "seriously?? something that serious is happening in a jane austen book??" but no , i was just fooled haha and she is ok.. I enjoyed the character building around that event and the whole Lyme trip in general. Even though Wentworth was focusing on Louisa most of the time, it feels like he really trust Anne as a trusted and competent friend that he can rely on! 😊😊 It warms my heart. I just wish they would talk more!

And then finally Anne moving back to Lady Russell.. well we knew this would happen. Technically she is now closer to the house that Wentworth lives in, and that gives me slight, vague hope of them meeting. but he's in lyme with louisa, and the Crofts won't even be in town for.. what did they say, 2 weeks? I get the feeling Anne will go to Bath before she even talks to him again 😠 But lets see.. I'm very curious to keep reading and see what happens.

Some other things.
Boy was Mary an absolute BRAT in Lyme, acting like having Anne stay behind and sending Mary home was a personal attack on Mary. You of all people should know how reliable your sister is, but whatever. to be honest neither of them were necessary there.
Charles Hayes finally got back together with his sweetheart Henrietta. It's good to see that she took the initiative to reconcille with him. It must be so embarassing that she indended to walk to his house with only her sister, and they ended up going as a group of six xD It's good that Louisa encouraged her.
Can't help but think about Mary's poor kids left alone in the house with only the servants while she goes vacationing, even if it was only a few days. She had the option of going back earlier too. Mary must really hate being a mother
I hope Louisa doesn't die because I would feel awful if that's what it takes to get Anne and Wentworth together.. hopefully he will realize she is not a great fit for him or something.

Also I notice that there is a lot of narrative that is very thematic to the title of "Persuasion" especially when it comes to the opinions of Anne and Wentworth, but also many side characters mention it too. Is it better to be determined and firm in you decisions, or is it better to be persuadable to more sensible conclusions? I feel like Louisa's accident is quite proof that you can't go for 100% stubbornness haha, a little persuasion is quite alright. But to hear Wentworth say he does not like it when someone is persuadable.. tsk tsk. Maybe he's just spiteful about what happened with Anne.

She thought it was the misfortune of poetry to be seldom safely enjoyed by those who enjoyed it completely; and that the strong feelings which alone could estimate it truly were the very feelings which ought to taste it but sparingly. (Page 73)

many other great moralist and preachers, she had been eloquent on a point in which her own conduct would ill bear examination. (Page 74)