PERSUASION--Jane Austen

I did promise at the outset not to make this a tribute to Jane Austen. The fact is, there are many of these on the web, and most are far better than mine could ever hope to be (For some great examples of these, please check out my links at the right). But my love and admiration for Miss Austen leads me to an enthusiasm I cannot always contain, so I hope you will bear with an occasional mention of her work.

The occasion for this post is the celebration of PBS's Masterpiece Theater's airing of dramatizations of all of JA's major works, beginning this weekend. This series was produced for British television and originally aired last fall. While I have read mixed reviews of these, I am really looking forward to seeing them for myself, and I want to encourage you to not only see the series but to read the books.

The first of the programs to air will be "Persuasion", possibly my favorite of Austen's works (choosing which I like best is almost as difficult as choosing a favorite among my children). This is one of her later novels, and features a more mature heroine and her regret over a lost love.

Anne Elliot, in her youth, was persuaded by her wealthy family and friends to reject the proposal of the man she loved, a poor sailor with questionable prospects. Now that she is older--at 27 considered an old maid in her day--she has resigned herself to her status and is content with being useful to others, feeling life and love have passed her by. Her lost love, however, has come back into her life, prosperous in his naval career and in search of a wife. His resentment of her earlier rejection cause him to pay attention to another girl, younger and well pleased with the attention of the dashing and wealthy navy captain. Meanwhile, Anne's wealthy family has suffered financial embarrassment and is forced to give up their ancestral estate, and an new admirer comes unexpectedly into her life.

I'll go no further, as you must experience this lovely story for yourself. Anne is possibly Austen's most noble and sympathetic heroine, and the passionate declaration of love at the end is surely one of the most satisfyingly romantic moments in literature.

An earlier adaptation of this book, starring Ciaran Hinds and Amanda Root is among my most favorite of the Austen dramatizations, and while I have heard this new one is not as good I am prepared to love any attempt to bring her work to the screen and to a new audience. I hope you will check it out, and even more, that you will read the book. It is truly a love story to fall in love with.