Helpful Score: 4
Well this book started out slow at the beginning which was mainly about Wentworth during the few months before his arrival in Somersetshire. It was interesting to see how he occasionally remembered Anne as well as glimpse his other friends, etc but it just fell a bit short in keeping my attention. I turned every page just for the hope of getting to the meat of the story and Anne's reintroduction to his life.
After the story caught up with JA's version I quite enjoyed it. The emotions seemed real, the writing well done, and the imagined occurances, actions, and dialoge in line with Austen as well. Also, Kaye's historical correctness was such a breath of fresh air. She dorrectly described the different types of ships and the inner workings of the British Navy. It was nice to have some real knowledge imparted amidst the fiction of the story.
Also, I think I can safely say that Louisa Musgrove is certainly not a favorite character with the author. In the original Lousia was not any kind of favorite to me but neither was she whiney, manipulative, and outright rude at times. She just seemed naive, a little spoiled, and fickle in her opinions and feelings. Kaye though has taken all of these traits to the extreme here causeing me to outright despise the little twit. While on the other hand I have found myself greatly likely Mrs. Harville whom you really don't get to see too much of in the original. She proves herself to be a wonderfully kind, intellegent, and loving person. What a great character to have on the sidelines to show Wentworth what a good woman should be.
By the way I love how Wentworth completely and almost ruthlessly calles out Musgrove on his lack of standing up to his own wife Mary in allowing her to stay to by Louisa's side instead of Anne. I know that Musgrove already knows this internally but he needed to made completely aware that others saw this as well and that it was shameful.
All in all it was a great version of Persuasion and I can't wait to get started on the second book and continue getting to know Wentworth more.
After the story caught up with JA's version I quite enjoyed it. The emotions seemed real, the writing well done, and the imagined occurances, actions, and dialoge in line with Austen as well. Also, Kaye's historical correctness was such a breath of fresh air. She dorrectly described the different types of ships and the inner workings of the British Navy. It was nice to have some real knowledge imparted amidst the fiction of the story.
Also, I think I can safely say that Louisa Musgrove is certainly not a favorite character with the author. In the original Lousia was not any kind of favorite to me but neither was she whiney, manipulative, and outright rude at times. She just seemed naive, a little spoiled, and fickle in her opinions and feelings. Kaye though has taken all of these traits to the extreme here causeing me to outright despise the little twit. While on the other hand I have found myself greatly likely Mrs. Harville whom you really don't get to see too much of in the original. She proves herself to be a wonderfully kind, intellegent, and loving person. What a great character to have on the sidelines to show Wentworth what a good woman should be.
By the way I love how Wentworth completely and almost ruthlessly calles out Musgrove on his lack of standing up to his own wife Mary in allowing her to stay to by Louisa's side instead of Anne. I know that Musgrove already knows this internally but he needed to made completely aware that others saw this as well and that it was shameful.
All in all it was a great version of Persuasion and I can't wait to get started on the second book and continue getting to know Wentworth more.
SALLY W. (thameslink) -
Helpful Score: 3
This is a very low-key, thoughtful retelling of Jane Austen's "Persuasion" from the view of Captain Wentworth. I found it a very interesting read and definitely fleshes out the character of Captain Wentworth. You don't have to have read "Persuasion" to enjoy this book but having done so will add to your enjoyment.
