Persuasion

Persuasion by Jane Austen

"But I hate to hear you talking so like a fine gentleman, and as if women were all fine ladies, instead of rational creatures. We none of us expect to be in smooth water all our days."

2025 was a celebration of 250 years since Jane Austen was born, and her insights into relationships, families and the challenges women face are still relevant today.

Persuasion was published posthumously in 1817, six months after Austen died at age 41.

Anne Elliot, the main protagonist, is an older single woman. She's 27. The horror! Still single and approaching thirty.

The themes of finding love "later in life," second chances with an early love, observations on wealth inequality and how easily 'persuaded' people can be by others because of societal expectations stuck with me. We still live with ideas of what society expects from us, especially as women. Even though the plot of Austen's books might seem "rom-com-y" and "chatty" on the surface, they were very subversive for the time. And the jokes! I love Austen’s humour and wit.

I also love how in real life Austen never married and fiercely held onto her independent identity as an author. I only wish she lived long enough to know how strong her legacy was and remains.