The one thing I've learned about myself is Jane Austen is likely to be the only author to ever convince me to read romance. There is just something about the feelings "You pierce my soul" evoked in me that no other author has come close to producing. Persuasion follows Anne Elliot, daughter of the incredibly vain Baronet Sir Walter Elliot and sister to the exceptionally pompous Elizabeth and ever-hysterical Mary. Finding themselves in a financial predicament, the Elliot family plans to move to Bath, to conserve funds. To produce an air of doing a favor, they let Kellynch estate to admirable Admiral Croft and his wife. Mrs. Croft is the sister of one Captain Frederick Wentworth, Anne's former fiancé. Tragically, Anne was persuaded (ding ding ding) to break off her engagement with Wentworth at the time, due to his lower position in society and lack of fortune. After weeks of forced proximity (as their families keep each other's company quite frequently), overcoming the attentions of cousin Elliot and Louisa Musgrove to Anne and Wentworth, respectively, Wentworth finally admits his unending love for Anne. They have been longing, yearning, pining for each other all these 8 years.
 
Persuasion is a tale of influence, lost love, and the familial duties of women. This novel draws excellent attention to intricacies of match-making during Austen's lifetime. Her characters never fail to amuse me, and I particularly loved Mary's character, as her absolutely inane and over-the-top personality is one of my favorite aspects of Austen's writing. The subtleties and nuances she writes in her character interactions are truly artful. Also, I'm very sad to say, I thought the movie was completely awful.