Why Persuasion is my Least Favorite Jane Austen Novel

Dakota Johnson and Henry Golding in the upcoming Netflix adaptation of *Persuasion*.

I get it. Sexy title. Most relatable heroine (in age, anyway.) And who doesn’t love a man in uniform? Jane Austen’s final completed novel, Persuasion, is often ranked by fans near the top of their list. And for many years it did for me too.

But on my most recent re-read to prepare for the upcoming Netflix adaptation (July 15), I realized upon completing it that my dissatisfaction could not be shaken. On the surface, I love the story. An older heroine, a story of redemption, a rich ex, sea air, what's not to like?

My recent read left me with three reasons Persuasion no longer ranks at the top of my Austen list.

We never truly get to know Wentworth

Unlike Knightly or Darcy, Wentworth's character does not go through the revelatory process that is signature to Austen’s works. We just trust Jane/Anne that he is amazing. We know he is hot; we know he is charming and well liked; we know he is one of the few people in Anne’s life who has situational awareness; we know he is newly rich... but that is about it. A list consisting of surface-level traits leading to surface-level understanding. What is Austen all about if not an unfolding of what is at the core of characters?

Anne is put through the fires of character development, but Wentworth is not. In fact, he behaves shamefully for quite some time. Imagine if Anne were meeting him for the first time when we do, does he give us any reason to love him? Their implied understanding of each other is the faith that the reader must rely on; Austen never substantially fulfills that memory with something compelling in the present. Anne knows his substance (we assume), but we do not.

Mary is stifling

And then there is the problem of Mary. I believe Mary is supposed to be funny, in the way that Mrs. Bennet (Pride and Prejudice) or Mrs. Palmer (Sense and Sensibility) is funny. But she is far more infuriating than humorous. I cannot quite put my finger on what is off in her equation, but something is missing. I partly wonder if it is because while the others always had several characters around to foil, react to, and play off of, Mary is most often paired up with Anne herself. Her obnoxious personality feels too direct and stifling. Of course, Mary has her comical moments, but overall, very little entertainment value.

Hugh Laurie and Imelda Staunton as Mr. & Mrs. Palmer in the 1995 adaptation of *Sense and Sensibility*.

If handled properly, she is one of many characters that will greatly benefit from being brought to life on screen. Anne’s other family members are clearly meant to be funny as well, but similarly come off lackluster. Sir Elliot provided the bulk of my audible chuckles and Elizabeth none. Throw in the absence of a Mr. Elton (Emma) or a Mr. Collins (Pride and Prejudice) type of suitor for Anne, and I am nonplussed.

If we use Lady Susan ←→ Mansfield Park as our comical to serious spectrum, Persuasion finds itself dully in the middle. It is neither funny enough nor serious enough to be compelling. The problem of Mary.

The plot development is understated

Blame it on the modern times, but I want more. I want more romance with Wentworth. I want more humor with Mary. I want to be more invested in Mrs. Smith. I want the story’s turning points to be more dramatic. I want the cunning of Mrs. Clay to be more pronounced. I want the banter with Mr. Elliot to be more entertaining. Upon completing the story, I wanted more from everyone save Anne herself.

Anne is a fantastic heroine. She is perhaps the most foundational of Austen’s leading ladies to shape the modern protagonist arch-type found in romance novels like The Duke and I. You know the one. The pretty-girl-who-is-overlooked-by-everyone-around-her-and-dares-not-hope-she-has-a-chance-to-find-love-yet-unknowingly-attracts-the-guy-everyone-else-wants trope. Many of Austen’s stories have some elements of that, but Anne Elliot embodies it fully.

Dakota Johnson as Anne Elliot in the upcoming Netflix adaptation.

I am the sort of reader that generally looks forward to and likes film adaptations (despite their shortcomings) of the books I like. Before re-reading the book, I fully expected to like the upcoming adaptation of Persuasion (the casting seems perfect.) Now I expect to love it. Most of what dissatisfies me will be inherently addressed by merely bringing the characters to life. There will be more drama, as there always is in the films. Mary will provide the comic relief intended. Mr. Elliot will give us compelling banter and charm. We will be invested in Mrs. Smith’s plight. And just maybe, we will fall in love with Captain Wentworth.

I realize the reasons I am dissatisfied with Persuasion may be the very reasons others love it, which is perfectly rational. That is part of the beauty of Austen’s works, each one has such a distinct personality and will resonate with each reader in a unique way at various points in their life. Every Austen fan I know has a different ranking with different reasons for feeling the way they do. For reference my favorite Austen works are generally the most disliked (Mansfield Park and Emma), so take my opinion for what it's worth. To be clear, Jane Austen is a genius. Any criticism is relative only to her other works. My least favorite Austen is still leagues above most other works in the world.

I still love the book, but just once I want to pick up the book and fall in love with Wentworth.