If you’re new to this Substack, one of the things I’m offering subscribers in 2023 is A Year with Jane. We’re reading through Austen’s six novels this year and ending the year with a bang: Persuasion is our read for November/December.
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About Persuasion
Persuasion and Northanger Abbey (our most recent read) were published together posthumously after Jane Austen’s early death, but they couldn’t be more different from each other! Although one of the last to be published, Northanger Abbey is one of Austen’s earliest novels and features the youngest of Austen’s protagonists. It’s about a naive, immature teenager beginning to grow up and experience the world. It’s witty and snarky and comical. Persuasion gives us Austen’s oldest heroine, Anne Elliot. She’s weary from being knocked about by fate and her selfish family. She’s serious, wise, and nearing spinsterhood. Like its protagonist, the novel is mature and melancholy. It was written near the end of Austen’s life and I think it’s her masterpiece. I have saved the best for last.
Reading schedule:
Week of November 12th:
Gather your books and read Chapters 1-5 of Persuasion. There are many editions out there, so just grab what’s on your shelf or at the local library. And if you enjoy audiobooks, this is an excellent novel to enjoy with a great narrator. My favorite for this novel is Juliet Stevenson’s audiobook version. Grab Jane Austen’s Genius Guide to Life from Ave Maria Press (use STEWART20 for 20% off) or from Amazon.
If you didn’t start reading with us in January, you may want to catch up by reading the Introduction and Chapters 1-6 of Jane Austen’s Genius Guide to Life to set the stage.
November 19th-25th:
We’ll discuss Chapters 1-5.
Read Chapters 6-10 of Persuasion
November 26th-December 2nd:
We’ll discuss Chapters 6-10.
Read Chapters 11-15 of Persuasion
December 3rd-9th:
We’ll discuss Chapters 11-15.
Read Chapters 16-20 of Persuasion
December 10th-16th:
We’ll discuss Chapters 16-20.
Read Chapters 21-24 of Persuasion
December 17th-23rd:
We’ll discuss Chapters 21-24.
Read Chapter 7 of Jane Austen’s Genius Guide to Life
Caveat:
On the reading schedule I have suggested reading the chapter about Persuasion after finishing the novel. This is because as a reader I hate spoilers. But if you’ve already read the novel or are familiar with the story and want a resource to help you dive deeper as you re-read it, feel free to read Chapter 7 of Jane Austen’s Genius Guide to Life first.
I’ll be sending out weekly reflections and discussion questions to consider as you read. If you want to read faster or slower, go for it. This is fun, not homework.
If you know someone who would enjoy reading Austen with us for our Year of Jane, please share this post with him/her!
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And if you know someone who would love this virtual book club, please share with them:
Looking forward to discussing Persuasion with you!
Haley
(Editor of Word on Fire Spark, Author, Former Podcaster)
Haley’s Children’s Mystery Series about Mouse Nuns
Haley’s Book on Jane Austen’s Novels
Haley’s Book about Radical Simplicity
I’m so excited we finally made it to Persuasion! It’s my favorite. I absolutely love Anne.
So glad you saved the best for last! This is my favorite too, and perfect for this time of year. Reading along this whole year has been a delight. Thank you so much for hosting!