Season 5: Persuasion

From 24 November 2024 to 3 May 2026, we read through Persuasion (there were some big gaps between episodes, due to unforseen circumstances). In every episode, we covered two or three chapters of the book, and also looked at one character in detail, and some aspect of the historical context. Each episode finished with a discussion about one or more of the adaptations (or modernisations or continuations or variations) of the book.

EpisodeCharacterHistoricalPopular culture
Episode 1:
Chapters 1-3

Sir Walter ElliotBaronetsPersuasion (1971, BBC)
[Watch on YouTube:
Part 1 and Part 2]
Episode 2:
Chapters 4-6
Lady RussellSocial precedenceNovela: Persuasión (1972, TVE)
[Watch on YouTube]
Episode 3:
Chapters 7-8
Captain WentworthThe NavyPersuasion (1995, BBC Film)
[Watch on YouTube]
Episode 3.5:
Extra bits from Episode 3
Episode 4:
Chapters 9-10
Louisa and HenriettaCuratesPersuasion (2007, Clerkenwell Films)
[Watch on YouTube]
Episode 5:
Chapters 11-12
Captains Harville and BenwickPoetryPersuasion (2022, Netflix)
Episode 6:
Chapters 13-15
Mr and Mrs MusgroveBathRational Creatures (2019, YouTube)
Episode 7:
Chapters 16-18
Admiral and Mrs CroftNurses Modern Persuasion (2020, Tangerine Entertainment)
Episode 8:
Chapters 19-20
Elizabeth ElliotBath Assembly Rooms Persuasion (2023, Agatha Films)
Episode 9:
Chapter 21 and the cancelled Chapter 22
Mr ElliotEngagementsReflecting on screen adaptations
Episode 10:
Chapter 22
Mary and CharlesShootingRetellings from another point of view
Episode 11:
Chapters 23-24
Anne ElliotThe Navy after the Napoleonic warsBook modernisations

Map of locations

Below is a Google map of the places mentioned in Persuasion, including approximate locations of the houses.