This is my 2nd Austen Novel that I read. And this does not disappoint. I understand why this was the most esteemed novel of Jane Austen.

We're first introduced to Sir Walter Elliot, (if I didn't know the synopsis of this story, I would have thought this was his story), of Kellynch-hall, whose vanity could rival those of younger women as his favorite possessions includes his looks and rank in high society. The funny thing is he is so self-absorbed and vain that he needs to retrench on his extravagance as he is in debt. Then we are briefly introduced to his daughter, Elizabeth, Anne and Mary. Elizabeth, his eldest and favorite (as she also possess her father's extreme vanity and extravagance) is nine and twenty and is unmarried. And then there was that commotion of her brief engagement to another cousin Elliot but it went nowhere. Then there's Mary, the youngest, who is married to a fortunate country gentlemen. And last but not the last Anne, the middle child who is often ignored both by her father and elder sister but is beloved by Lady Russell, her late-mother's closest kindred friend.

I think, like the story, the introduction seemed to ignore or sidelined Anne, probably establishing the kind of person Anne is.

Also, it pissed me off how self-absorbed and so self-important Anne's father is. I mean, he is already in debts but he would degrade someone who is not born from a rich household, particularly someone who has a rank in high society. It's so degrading the way he humiliates the navy and soldiers just because they had amassed riches even though they were from poor background. I mean atleast those people worked for their money, unlike him.
 
Anyways, back to Anne, in Chapter 2, it was said but not acknowledged that she was the one who made the plans on how her family could successfully retrench, however, Lady Russell presented this as she is a most trusted advisor of the family and Anne's father would most likely listened to her (probably hinting to on how Lady Russell is good at the art or persuasion, but more on that later). Also, Anne was bit by bit having a part, probably centering the story on her know and at the end of chapter 3 where:

Mr. Shepherd was completely empowered to act; and no sooner had such an end been reached, than Anne, who had been a most attentive listener to the whole, left the room, to seek the comfort of cool air for her flushed cheeks; and as she walked along a favourite grove, said, with a gentle sigh, “a few months more, and he, perhaps, may be walking here.” 

I can't help but feel there's a certain nostalgia for what could have been or what would have been here. 

Kinda nice that they finally told why Anne was feeling incredibly shy and timid from the first three chapters (I mean apart from her personality being actually timid). It's sad and regretful what happened to Anne's engagement to Captain Frederick Wentworth. I mean I could understand why Lady Russell was trying to persuade Anne to call off the engagement but it's sad that after that, there were no happiness that seem to engage on Anne's life. Furthermore, it was also said that Anne was offered an engagement to Sir Charles Musgrove, who eventually wed her younger sister Mary. Though Anne didn't hold a grudge against Lady Russell on her persuasion in regards to Captain Wentworth, I can't help but think that Lady Russell also felt responsible to the sadness that attributed to the once youthful Anne. Also, probably because Lady Russell is the second closest thing Anne could have as a mother that she held Lady Russell's opinions in high regards.
But I felt sad that Anne never loved anyone other than Captain Wentworth. 
Chapter 6 was kind of a rollercoaster of emotions. One moment you can't help but find it hilarious that the Musgroves tell their complaints about Mary to Anne, and then Mary contradicting those complaints without either party knowing then the next moment you get punched emotionally by Anne's unfortunate circumstance of always being talked with but not talked about or noticed about. Sad knowing that after her mother's death, that was the last time anyone had listened to her or appreciated her (though maybe the last time was when she was with Captain Wentworth). I think what's sad about it is also Lady Russell discouragement on Anne's engagement to Wentworth when they were younger. This has probably totally closed off Anne to socialize, in a sense that she would also share her innermost feelings and turmoils.
Another thing on chapter 6, it's that the reason Anne was going to the Musgroves was because she likes to live in the country and at the same time evade the Crofts as this might cause an unexpected meeting with Captain Wentworth but it's like everything is against Anne's fate as the Musgroves really did got acquianted with the Crofts and all Anne can do is act insensible/indifferent to her past feelings to Captain Wentworth as he may suddenly appear. 

I genuinely thought after chapter 6, I would be able to witness Anne and Captain Wentworth's reunion but due to unforeseen circumstances, their meeting was halted. I mean, Captain Wentworth was received by the Musgroves but no presence from Anne as she takes care of her nephew after suffering an injury from a tree fall. Also, I understand that during that time, more of child care are passed to the mother but it's disappointing that when one has a child of their own does not guarantee them to be a good parent. I mean, just because you have a child of your own does not necessarily mean you're capable and responsible being a parent. Sometimes too, one does not need to be an actual parent to care about children. 

And of course, when they meet again, after eight years, all those initial thoughts from Anne had completely vanished and has been replaced instead with what Captain Wentworth said about her, that she looks so completely altered and I can't help but cry and sympathize with Anne. I know Captain Wentworth was sad and angry at Anne for her breaking her engagement and with just a mere persuasion from Lady Russell no less but I felt like Anne is too hard on herself. She knew that she was at fault too, that even though her decision had caused her unhappiness over the years, it was a decision she made. And now that the years have passed, she might regret it but it was her decision, there were nothing that could fix Captain Wentworths disappointment in her timidity and weakness or being easily persuaded. 

Finally on chapter 8, the quote that got started me on reading this book: 

there could have been no two hearts so open, no tastes so similar, no feelings so in unison, no countenances so beloved. 

Which was unfortunately preceded by this:
Now they were as strangers; nay, worse than strangers, for they could never become acquainted. It was a perpetual estrangement. 

I didn't know that was the whole quote.
  Of course, as Anne and Captain Wentworth kept meeting each other as they are in the same circle, I can't help but sadly think about how Anne was known to never dance and Captain Wentworth asked of her from the Musgroves sisters. Now, I can't help but think, as we read this story on Anne's perspective and she thinks that Captain Wentworth's cold politeness was worse than him completely ignoring her, does Captain Wentworth thinks Anne so indifferent, so insensible that she would readily avoid talking or interacting with him entirely than to actually converse with her? 

The thing is, because we read it on Anne's perspective, we can't help but empathize with her. Of course, the sensible thing to do was probably avoid and act indifferent towards him but what if his cold politeness towards Anne was just a facade as Anne's indifference towards him rubs him off the wrong way? 

Is it weird that even I could feel the tension between Anne and Captain Wentworth? As if I'm actually with them on that abrupt entrance of Captain Wentworth to the Cottage only to have found out that Anne and the little Charles is there? Also, very awkward when Mr. Hayter also came and wait with them and even though Captain Wentworth was about to initiate a conversation with Mr. Hayter, Mr. Hayter deliberately evade him as he chose to read the newspaper at the table contrary to Captain Wentworth near the window while Anne is attending the ill little Charles.
You can actually see how Jane Austen had mature on her writing. Social gatherings on any books usually bore me but the way she weaves the story, even if they aren't speaking or have any dialogue and even if the book is only told from a certain perspective, we also get a glimpse of how the other characters act and behave even without the dialogue. There'a something uniquely interesting on how this kind of story plays out in a Jane Austen work. 

That conversation between Louisa and Captain Wentworth as they walked together, there's something that must have stung Anne's feelings as Captain Wentworth praises someone who is not easily persuaded and is a very decisive person, contrary to someone who's indecisive and it easily affected by the persuasion of others. Especially as how, thought it was indirectly done, Louisa told how Charles initially offered marriage to Anne but instead rejected him. I actually thought (because I've watched the movie first) that Anne rejected Charles Musgroves on the grounds that she might still have feelings for Captain Wentworth (or was it a fresh wound at that time) but it was rather because the Musgroves believed that Lady Russell had greatly influenced Anne and Anne had been easily persuaded that maybe Charles isn't characteristically bookish enough to appease Lady Russell's approval. This comment somehow agitated Anne, as she thinks how her character now is being perceived by Captain Wentworth after that conversation. 

Also, I can't help but think, since Mrs. Croft is Captain Wentworth's sister, does she know Anne's attachment/engagement to Captain Wentworth? Because at the very end of chapter 10, wherein Admiral Croft and Mrs. Croft discuss Captain Wentworth attachment to the Miss Musgroves, both of them cannot tell which of the two Miss Musgroves does capture Captain Wentworth's heart but there's a hint, in Anne's perception, that Mrs. Croft knew that neither of the two sisters had enraptured Captain Wentworth's. 

Also, just how Louisa and Captain Wentworth discussed Anne's rejection to Charles Musgrove and how Anne is heavily influenced by Lady Russell that it was obvious Lady Russell and Captain Wentworth disliked each other. I could understand why Captain Wentworth disliked Lady Russell but I can't wrapped my mind on why Lady Russell disliked Captain Wentworth. Is it because of his rank? If it was, then I don't think that Lady Russell is such a good-natured character. I mean, I understand that she only wants what's beat for Anne but the way she persuaded Anne that engaging herself with Captain Wentworth because of his rank or Charles Musgrove because he's not bookish for her taste seems outrageously suspicious to me. I mean, it just means that she held herself at a higher level compare to others, and the way that she is described as good-natured when it seems that being smart and philosophical such as herself gives her a right or an authority to give distasteful remarks on the opposite sex with lower rank. Sure, it's not the same level of vanity of looks and rank like Mr. Elliot but it's on the same page. She's just vain in a sense that she thinks she's superiorlly smarter and held a higher rank than others. Although, I could understand it that maybe because she's a woman who have everything (in a sense that she's comfortably able to do things she wants or rich) but it felt that she's a contemptuous woman who masks her proud superiority behind being "good-natured". 

Also, there'a something extremely sad on how Anne perceived herself older when I mean I'm pretty sure she's around late 20s (or maybe because during their time, it's harder for women to get married as they grew older compared to men who could still marry when their past 30 as long as they have money). I think this because of her comparison of herself to Captain Benwick saying that Captain Benwick can still find love as he is still young. I still think it's sad that she completely closed herself to everyone since her rejection of Captain Wentworth. Might mean that their love was really something more or just might be the best she's ever have. 

Also, during their stay at Lyme, I kept thinking that Captain Benwick is a bit attentive to Anne in a sense that he might like her or is starting to like her. Probably because they share this fascination to poetry (though on Benwick's case, it's particularly related to grief and melancholy). Unfortunately, this was cut short as Anne was chosen to go back to Uppercross and accompany Henrietta and Captain Wentworth to alert the Musgroves parents on what happened to Louisa. 
 

Lady Russell's opinion of Captain Wentworth gets lower as she heard that Captain Wentworth seemed to have formed an attachment to Louisa Musgrove when it was eight years ago, he proposed to Anne. I mean I kinda understand that's irritating, seemingly choosing someone who's kind of naive and younger compare to someone who is matured and is good-natured and with a sound and philosophical mind but like isn't Lady Russell who persuaded Anne to break it off with Captain Wentworth? And also, I didn't also like that Lady Russell seemed to not like Admiral Croft because of his manner of talking and felt a bit uncomfortable around Mrs. Croft just because of her connection to Captain Wentworth. Also, why should Anne worry if Lady Russell and Captain Wentworth meet  if there's anyone who should be worried it should be Lady Russell as Captain Wentworth had just proven that he could have given Anne a comfortable and happy life even if he doesn't have a rank. I know Lady Russell only wants was best for Anne and like how Anne admires Lady Russell as she is the closest mother figure she has and is the only one who ever gave her attention but like Lady Russell's contemptuous superiority complex is just irritating.
 

In chapter 15, as Anne arrived in Bath, she then is introduced to her cousin, a Mr. Elliot who will soon inherit the Kellynch state. But like even in this chapter, Anne's father and sister are really self-absorbed (especially her sister like I mean she's older than Anne and even she is not yet married). 

Also didn't know that there was the matter that Anne's father, Mr. Walter Elliot might form an engagement with Mrs. Clay, though that was strange, I could understand why such a matter could be true as both are neither engage to anyone as of the moment. Plus we could also see how Elizabeth is cruel to Anne like the way she said that Anne meant nothing to her compared to Mrs. Clay. Also, the fact that Elizabeth is also vying for their cousin, Mr. Elliot's, attention. 
 

Also, on chapter 16, when they are introduced to their cousins, the Dalrymple, there's something socially hilarious about the interaction. The Elliots, particularly the father and Elizabeth are so pre-occupied with their cousin Viscountess Dalrymple which is ironic as how they treat people they deemed beneath them (in social rank) and though not particularly excited as the other two, Lady Russell and cousin Mr. Elliot also thinks that renewing this connection with the Viscountess is a good addition to the Elliot's rank. I just think it's hilarious how the former two people (Mr. Elliot and Elizabeth) would insult someone of lower rank but they would somehow beg to be noticed by someone with a higher rank, which in this case they just became the people they were insulting while the latter two, (Lady Russell and the cousin Mr. Elliot) acted nonchalantly but would want that connection with high society too. Aren't the two groups of people the same, just different execution? 

Also, now I think, I initially think Anne is easily persuaded in a sense that she easily formed a connection with Captain Benwick and cousin Mr. Elliot but I understand that Anne's idea of good company is an acquaintance shared having a clever and well-informed conversation amongst them. This is why she holds Lady Russell's opinions high although she said that it took her years to realize that not everything Lady Russell agrees with is something that she also agrees with (I think one of these was somewhat related to Captain Wentworth too). Also, all the talk about the social ranks in this chapter also makes sense as how they treat other people without social ranks (like Admiral Croft, Mrs. Croft, Captain Wentworth and the Msugroves) even though they are rich (and in this case, the Musgrove's might have been richer than the Elliot's now as they are trying to retrench and pay off their debts). 

Also, that character analysis of Anne's about her cousin Mr. Elliot is just understandably good. Like, everyone (even Lady Russell) praises Mr. Elliot as a clever, well-mannered and sensible man but for Anne, there's something that doesn't sit right with her about him. For Anne, I think, two things that bothers her is however clever and sensible Mr. Elliot is, he doesn't readily give his opinions, like he appears to agree or add something to what you've previously said but to readily give his opinion or impression, he most certainly doesn't (which is said that he have a general pleasant manner to everyone). Which could attribute to another thing he does, he isn't honestly open to Anne. All Anne's general opinion of him could have been attributed by the things and compliments she heard from other people who had the pleasure of meeting him and not actually an old acquiantance of his. In this case, he kinda reminds me of George Wickham, but unlike the female protagonist of Pride and Prejudice, Anne maybe timid but she's wonderfully clever, maybe because she's older and her mind had a maturity through her engagement of different morals and philosophies that might have enriched her mind over the years. 

I know Mary is the lesser of two evils (between Anne's sisters) and I still think she's still sometimes condescending but not contemptuously like Elizabeth so I kinda find her letter to Anne a bit endearing. Although, sure it contained some prejudiced opinions of her about the society of the Uppercross tenants such as the Musgroves and its neighboring acquaintances (Admiral Croft and Mrs. Croft and the Hayters) and the Harvilles, but it's nice that though she thinks ill of them (because of their societal rank), she still give them truthful compliments (as though Mary maybe prejudiced but she's honest about her feelings, that though they maybe hurtful, atleast she didn't say it behind their backs). Though, she's still self-absorbed from time to time, I think being around the people from Uppercross had also done her good. Another thing is that in chapter 18, Anne is genuinely happy for Captain Benwick and Louisa's engagement. I think it may have astonish her but she understand how the couple came to be (or had an understanding) even though they have different minds. Add to that those subtle hints that though Anne is grateful for Captain Benwick's attention, Anne would only yearn for one's affection to her (obviously, that's Captain Wentworth).
And speaking of, in chapter 19, when Anne and Captain Wentworth meet happenstance (though Anne knew he'd be coming to Bath). It's adorable like you know they are in their late 20s and yet this scene plays like a meet-cute. Also, I'm really terrified coz it's only a few chapters left and Anne and Captain Wentworth doesn't have a lot of scenes together and there's this cousin Mr. Elliot who seems to like Anne and is heavily favored by her family and even Lady Russell. And I think, it's just disappointing that Anne really love Captain Wentworth and now that Captain Wentworth has some power/money compare from before and Lady Russell is kind of a surrogate mom to Anne as Lady Russell is a friend of her mom and had tried to give advices to Anne like how her mother would and Anne really wanted for the two of them to get along, unless Captain Wentworth let go of his grudge to Lady Russell's counsel to Anne about him (though I completely understand the grudge) and Lady Russell would not try to influence or persuade Anne or better yet the word is discouraged Anne on being engaged to Captain Wentworth. I think, the big problem that I find with Lady Russell is that she is a good natured and well-mannered lady but she still thinks that she and Anne should only closely associate themselves with people who has a high social class/rank. 
Might be disappointing that Elizabeth didn't acknowledged Captain Wentworth (but that was expected as Elizabeth is self-absorbed and she thinks she's superior to others who doesn't have her rank) but if that was Lady Russell, then I don't know if her and Anne's relationship would be well. 


I don't know if I should admire Anne of her intelligence or maybe it counts as her being delusional? But the way she seemed to memorize Captain Wentworth's mannerisms and their whole conversation (that somehow brought a brightness in her, or a glow in her that improved much her looks) screams her sentiments and feelings for him. Chapter 20 alone had invoked a lot of feelings, from high to low to high again, even though they've only attended a concert, it seems that a lot could happen on such short notice. I just feel sorry for Anne, because it is so clear that the only man she loved Captain Wentworth and she still loves him. But it frustrates her as her cousin Mr. Elliot seems to arouse Captain Wentworth's jealousy (though it excited a gratification for Anne), but Anne only wants to interact with Captain Wentworth, to know about his sentiments and whether those sentiments are the same with her. I think what frustrates her is that Captain Wentworth had finally approached her without anger or resentment but perhaps the same love she has for him all those years ago and it was unfortunately sabotage by Mr. Elliot's excessive vague compliments that pokes at Anne's curiosity but doesn't dissolve her devotion to Captain Wentworth. 

Also, didn't know that as I reached the last few chapters, the chapters seemed to be longer compare to the previous one (I actually dreaded that I would soon finished reading this book and I meant that in a good way). 

Finally, as I reached the last part, the fantastic thing about it is that prior questions about character's backgrounds are slowly getting answered. Chapter 21 particularly answered the cousin Mr. Elliot's character. Which, I must say is similar to Wickham from Pride and Prejudice, a wolf in sheep's clothing or a cruelly dangerous person posing as a gentleman. Though, I find certain similarities between Wickham and Mr. Elliot, Mr. Elliot seemed a superior being as an antagonist compared to Wickham. And also, maybe because Anne is much older than Elizabeth, Anne knew upon meeting Mr. Elliot that there is something vaguely bothering (which eventually end up as him being entirely evil) about his whole composure, despite hiding it on a gentleman-like manner. I think, Anne had solidified this gut-feeling when Mr. Elliot interact with her during the concert when Anne wanted to converse with Captain Wentworth. Also, maybe during the concert (as gossip seemed to thrive during those times as a form of entertainment), Mr. Elliot deliberately tries to get Anne's attention to him and through this action, a lot of people who have attended the concert might have gossip and spread this news, as to why Mrs. Smith also assumed that Anne is to be engaged to Mr. Elliot. Even I actually felt a hit conflicted during Anne and Mrs. Smith's conversation, as at the beginning of it, Mrs. Smith seemed to praised and approved of Mr. Elliot's engagement to Anne and them suddenly, when Anne confirmed and proved that in no way she accept a proposal from him nor if she would accept it in a future did Mrs. Smith unraveled Mr. Elliot's true intentions. I could understand why Mrs. Smith had done what she had done, as someone who is poor and is counting on any help she could get, and maybe she believed that somehow Mr. Elliot's intentions change and his feelings towards Anne is genuine, maybe Mr. Elliot would have listened to Anne (as she might've been his soon-to-be wife). Like even from the previous chapters, Anne could not make Mr. Elliot's character as most of their acquaintances are new and his acquaintances' character are not very known to Anne. But this, this newfound information of Mr. Elliot's attachment or connection to Mrs. Smith had solidified Anne's instance to Mr. Ellliot's character: that he's cruel, conniving, serpentine hearted acting like a gentleman. 

Now we're nearing the end, I felt like that chapters are getting more and more intense (probably wrapping up loose ends). And on chapter 23, of course, it finally happened. At long last, our two protagonists were able to profess their love to one another. I cried during thay scene when Captain Wentworth left Anne a letter, especially at the parts "You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope." and
"I have loved none but you" something about that altered and stirred my soul. And also thay explanation of Captain Wentworth's action towards Anne upon their reuniting again after eight years. Also, it's the way that both of them somehow knew or memorize each other's manners, from the way their expressions changes and each of them knew what it meant even if they hadn't seen each other for so long.
Another to add is when Captain Wentworth acknowledged his anger and resentment towards Anne and how he came to terms with his pride/proud and he kept thinking that if he hadn't been so prideful, and he wrote Anne a letter when he acquired the riches that he has now, would have Anne replied to him and when Anne answered in a way that he understood that she would have, there was this momentary regret in him. But atleast now they still end up together. Something about men owning up their proud/prideful mistakes and change themselves for the better, not because their love interest says so but because they realize how wrong they were before. 

Also, I find it kinda funny that in the end too, I finally know why Lady Russell just icked me but I completely understand that she was, afterall, a second parent figure to Anne and how Anne accepted Lady Russell's flaws and how also Lady Russell came to accept her flaw, that maybe she might not be a good judge of character as she always known and what I find funny about the entire ordeal was how Lady Russell just have to live with it too. Also, that Captain Wentworth had finally forgiven Lady Russell for her persuasion to Anne before, and he might forgive her sooner than he might forgive himself for all his prideful folly that almost cost him his happiness with Anne. 

I initially read this because I've only seen a few people talked about this Austen book but most of them said that this was her most esteemed novel and I think they are right. Though maybe I am a bit biased as I've only read 2 of Austen's works so far, but I never knew I'd loved this book better than Pride and  Prejudice (but I still love Pride and Prejudice). I think it must have been the undying devotion of someone, not just from Anne and Captain Wentworth but I think another devoted love I've witnessed in this book was Admiral Croft and Mrs. Croft. Of course, the main focus of this book is to Anne and Captain Wentworth's story, and that true love does not alter, even if years had passed.