• Persuasion

  • By: Jane Austen
  • Narrated by: Nadia May
  • Length: 8 hrs and 1 min
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (605 ratings)

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Persuasion

By: Jane Austen
Narrated by: Nadia May
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Publisher's summary

The last novel completed by Jane Austen before she died at 41, Persuasion is often thought to be the story of the author's own lost love. Sir Walter Elliot of Kellynch Hall has three daughters: Elizabeth, who shares his haughty vanity and, at 28 has found no one good enough to marry; Mary, who has, with some condescension, married the son of the local squire; and admirable Anne, who "was nobody with either father or sister".

This is the story of a second chance, the reawakening of love between Anne Elliot and Captain Frederick Wentworth, whom eight years earlier she had been persuaded not to marry, due to his lowly station in life. Wentworth returns from the Napoleonic Wars with prize money and the social acceptability of naval rank. He is now an eligible suitor acceptable to Anne's snobbish father and his circle, and Anne discovers the continuing strength of her love for him. The happy ending is a contrast to the real outcome of Austen's own romantic aspirations.

(P)2000 Blackstone Audio Inc.

What listeners say about Persuasion

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful characters

Nadia May is my second-favorite reader of Jane Austen after Flo Gibson. Both have an uncanny ability to render the sometimes riotously funny characters in Austen's work; and this one, even with its somewhat autumnal glow, is no exception. (It may seem strange to speak of Jane Austen's characters as riotously funny, but in my estimation Anne Elliot's father and sisters fall into this category; and Admiral Croft gets off a few good lines as well.)

The sound quality of this recording is significantly better than that of Flo Gibson's reading, also available here.

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15 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

narration annoying

the book, of course, is a classic. i'm taking the time to write a review to warn potential listeners to spend more time than i did listening to the sample. there are frequent, noticeable pauses and in some of them you can hear the narrator swallow. i've listened to over 30 books and never noticed this before. other than this awkwardness, her speech and tone are very good and appropriately convey Austen's skill with language.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent

"Persuasion" is the often overlooked jewel of Austen's books, in this listener/reader's humble opinion, so it was a pleasure to to hear this wonderful story told. Nadia May does an excellent job narrating, really bringing these richly-drawn characters to life.

If you've only ever seen the movie versions or heard/read the abridged version, this is not to be missed.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Very Well Read

I'm nearing the conclusion of my mission to read all of Austen's works. Started on the quest by one of my daughters, I've worked by way through to the more known works, or at least the ones that have gotten multiple BBC treatments. Of course, for my daughter, all the stories were new because she had never seen those productions (Taiwan schools keeping kids to busy for anything like that). Persuassion didn't surprise in anyway then, because I knew the story, but listening to this book now, I was surprised by the writing. So many senteneces I just wanted to write down and read again. Nadia May is just perfect in reading this book, as well as the other Austen novels.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

The Best

The fabulous Nadia May brings Austen's characters to life with her nuanced reading. This is the version to buy. Delicious!

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Persuasion well done

I really enjoyed this audiobook. The reader is great and it is a classic

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Great story and PERFECT narrator

This is one of my favorite stories by Jane Austen. And to have it read by one of my fav narrator is so wonderful!
Her voice does need a bit of get use to. But her abilities to make each characters come to life, and do it so well, well, that's priceless!
My first read by this narrator was for Pride and Prejudice. Her enactment of Mrs. Bennett was the best I have heard from any Jane Austen readers.
I <3 Nadia May~!

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

5 Star Classic Story...3 Star Reader

Loved the tale, I always have, but the reader started to get on my nerves part of the way through. The high pitch of her vocalization on certain parts left me a little annoyed and thus I had trouble enjoying the story. A five star story read by an over-emoting 3 star reader.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars

Persuasion

This book was disappointing. It took some time to figure out
who the main character was. Characters who were developed
drop off. The ending seemed sudden left a feeling of " that was it".

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Exquisite

What a lovely story! The scenes are brilliantly framed and marvelously read. I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

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2 people found this helpful