Persuasion

By: Jane Austen

Narrated by: Flo Gibson

Anne Elliott foolishly let true love slip through her fingers when she allowed herself to be persuaded that the man she adored was an unacceptable candidate for marriage. Now, after years of carrying a torch, Anne finds herself confronted by the dashing Wentworth, newly returned from years at sea. In this, her final novel, Jane Austen savagely skewers the rigid social sensibilities of the day with brilliant satire.

Public Domain (P)1984 Recorded Books

A Nice Warm Bath, or Keeping Austen Weird

Baths bookends Austen's writing. Her first novel, Northanger Abbey takes place largely in Bath. Her last novel, Persuasion also spends a bunch of time in Bath. While I wasn't a huge fan of her first novel, I really appreciated Austen's last novel. It was tight, interesting, and possessed a focus that Northanger Abbey lacked. It also seemed to be one of the clearest presentations of Austen's big themes: her explorations of marriage, class, persuasion and responsibility. The ability for Austen to create such a clear narratives that are also seeped in irony, satire, and yes even mild bathos amazes me.

A Difficult Listen

This story won't disappoint fans of Jane Austen's work, but in Format 3 the quality of playback was poor and difficult to listen to without some effort of concentration and frequent rewinding.

Great Story, Good Narrator, Bad Sound Quality

"Persuasion" will always be my all-time favorite Jane Austen novel. Normally, I also like Flo Gibson's narrating as well. Unfortunately, this version was terrible. The sound went in & out, got scratchy and off balance at times, to the point that I was constantly readjusting the volume. Ten minutes into the audiobook, I was convinced I should have bought a different copy. The audio was so bad, it really took away from the story.

One Of Her Best

This book was one of her best, along with Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice. Always enjoy it, time after time.

Wonderful

A wonderful story, great narration, would listen to it again and again.