Persuasion by Jane Austen (1818)

Name: Persuasion
Author: Jane Austen

Persuasion is a novel by Jane Austen, first published in 1818. It tells the story of Anne Elliot, a young woman of 27 years old, who is persuaded by her family to reject the proposal of marriage from the man she loves, Frederick Wentworth. Eight years later, Anne and Frederick meet again, and Anne must decide whether to accept his renewed proposal of marriage. The novel follows Anne as she navigates the social conventions of Regency England, and deals with themes of love, class, and social status. It is a story of second chances, and of the power of persuasion.

By Jane Austen · First published 1818 · Genre: Romance, Classical Literature, Historical Fiction · 24 chapters · 82,165 words

First lines

Sir Walter Elliot, of Kellynch Hall, in Somersetshire, was a man who, for his own amusement, never took up any book but the Baronetage; there he found occupation for an idle hour, and consolation in a distressed one; there his faculties were roused into admiration and respect, by contemplating the limited remnant of the earliest patents; there any unwelcome sensations, arising from domestic affairs changed naturally into pity and contempt as he turned over the almost endless creations of the last century; and there, if every other leaf were powerless, he could read his own history with an interest which never failed. This was the page at which the favourite volume always opened: ELLIOT OF KELLYNCH HALL. "Walter Elliot, born March 1, 1760, married, July 15, 1784, Elizabeth, daughter of James Stevenson, Esq. of South Park, in the county of Gloucester, by which lady (who died 1800) he has issue Elizabeth, born June 1, 1785; Anne, born August 9, 1787; a still-born son, November 5, 1789; Mary, born November 20, 1791."

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Persuasion is listed on Textopian as a novel by Jane Austen, dated 1818 CE.

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Work type: Novel
Author: Jane Austen
Date: 1818 CE
Language: English
Genres: Romance, Classical Literature, Historical Fiction, Realistic Fiction
Length: 82,165 words
Structure: 24 chapters, 2,453 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Genres

Romance — The novel follows the story of Anne Elliot, a woman who is persuaded to reject a marriage proposal from a man she loves due to the influence of her family and friends. The novel follows her journey as she reconsiders her decision and the obstacles she faces in her pursuit of true love.
Classical Literature — Persuasion is a novel written by Jane Austen, a renowned English novelist who wrote during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Her works are considered to be part of the canon of classic literature.
Historical Fiction — The novel is set in the early 19th century in England and follows the social conventions of the time. It also includes references to the Napoleonic Wars and the Royal Navy.
Realistic Fiction — The novel is set in a realistic world and follows the everyday struggles of its characters. It also includes themes of social class and gender roles that were common during the time period.