In this episode, we talk about these transitional chapters between the events at Lyme and the move to Bath. We consider the position of the old nurse in the Musgrove household, how Anne is feeling a bit sorry for herself, the delightful scenes with the Crofts and with Charles and Mary, how Mr Elliot is … Read more Persuasion: Episode 6, Chapters 13-15
In this episode, we talk about Lyme, the connection between Anne and Captain Benwick, whether these chapters make us wonder if Anne will end up with someone other than Captain Wentworth, and Louisa’s fall from the steps. The characters we discuss are Captains Harville and Benwick. In the historical section, Ellen talks about romantic poetry, … Read more Persuasion: Episode 5, Chapters 11-12
In this episode, we talk about how how Jane Austen has solved the problem of the infodump, the realism of the scene with little Walter, how she shows the relations within families, and how events on the walk to Winthrop affect Wentworth’s feelings. The characters we discuss are Louisa and Henrietta Musgrove. In the historical … Read more Persuasion: Episode 4, Chapters 9-10
This is an in-between ‘extras’ episode. Our episodes are normally not more than an hour in length, which means that we usually have to cut a certain amount of material in the editing. But for Episode 3, we had much more material than usual. So we kept the episode down to an hour, but decided … Read more Persuasion: Episode 3.5, EXTRAS from Chapters 7 and 8
In this episode, we talk about how how Jane Austen tells us about the feelings of Anne and Captain Wentworth, and how the narrator captures Anne’s emotions; the building up of the relationship between Charles and Mary, and their reaction to Little Charles’ accident; Mrs Musgrove’s feelings about her son; and Mrs Croft’s travels. The … Read more Persuasion: Episode 3, Chapters 7-8
In this episode, we talk about how the backstory of Anne and Wentworth is presented without comedy, and yet is absolutely enjoyable. We then move on to the introduction of Mary, and why she is the way she is, Anne’s skill at dealing with everyone’s complaints, and the very unsympathetic portrayal of Dick Musgrove. The … Read more Persuasion: Episode 2, Chapters 4-6
In this episode, we talk about the publishing history of Persuasion, the precise dates we are given in the book, the fact that we learn very little about Anne in the first chapters, and how well Mr Shepherd is managing Sir Walter. The character we discuss is Sir Walter Elliot. In the historical section, Ellen … Read more Persuasion: Episode 1, Chapters 1-3
Just a quick update to let you know that our Persuasion season will be starting in November. We’ve recorded the first few episodes, but Harriet has been too busy at work to finish editing them. She’s going to be away for a few weeks, but will start releasing the episodes on her return in November. … Read more Persuasion season starting in November
In this bonus mini-episode, Harriet has a discussion with three of the co-creators of webseries Rational Creatures. This series, based on Persuasion, started in 2019, but then had to go on a long and unexpected hiatus due to the global pandemic. Just as Jane Austen used her books to shed light on social issues of … Read more Bonus mini-episode – Rational Creatures co-creators
Now that my other commitments are over, I (Harriet) am working on editing the next episode. But in the meantime, I watched the Netflix Persuasion and posted an inappropriately long review on my personal Facebook page. I thought I’d copy it in here, so that I can more easily find it again when we move … Read more Not an episode – review of Persuasion 2022