Tonight, we’ll read the opening to “Persuasion,” the last novel fully completed by Jane Austen, along with being considered her most mature and refined writing, published in 1817. The story concerns Anne Elliot, a twenty-seven year old Englishwoman, whose family moves to lower their expenses and reduce their debt by renting their home to an Admiral and his wife.

The novel was well-received at it’s debut, but its greater fame came decades later, and continues to this day.