What does persuasion mean - a firm belief, or the action of persuading someone to think something else? Anne Elliot is one of Austen's quietest heroines, but also one of the strongest and the most open to change. She lives at the time of the Napoleonic wars, a time of accident, adventure and the making of new fortunes and alliances.

A woman of no importance, she manoeuvres in her restricted circumstances as her long-time love Captain Wentworth did in the wars. Even through she is nearly thirty, well past the sell-by bloom of youth. Austen makes her win out for herself and for others like herself, in a regenerated society.

I've never read any Jane Austen, primarily because I'm not a fan of romantic comedy, but this book is thin so maybe it's the perfect introduction. I'm going to be reading it as part of the BBC Big Read, along with other Austen books so perhaps I'll be converted.