Author Description

This special edition of Persuasion includes the famous illustrations by Charles Edmond Brock, created in 1898. Brock and his brothers were all successful illustrators of the day and often posed for each other using costumes, props and furniture in their Cambridge studio. Brock's younger brother, Henry, also illustrated Austen's books and joined him in illustrating other Austen releases for this set of 1898 editions. Persuasion was Austen's last completed novel, published in 1816 and featuring a heroine who has rejected her true love when her family and friends discourage the match. When he reappears eight years later, having made his fortune, Anne Elliott must now decide whether she is strong-willed enough to decide for herself where her own best interests lie. Eight years after rejected suitor Frederick Wentworth goes off to sea, Sir Elliott's extravagance has forced his family into reduced circumstances. His daughter, twenty-seven year old Anne, no longer expects to marry, and has fond memories and somewhat stinging regrets about her decision to turn Frederick down at the urging of her family, who wanted her to aim higher. When Wentworth returns, having made his fortune, Anne is given a second chance at love, but she must be strong enough to think and decide for herself, then find a way to win him back.