Anne Elliot, A New Beginning [Kindle Edition]

Mary Lydon Simonsen (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"To see an Anne Elliot with such a strong character is a welcome and wonderful change. I love her expressions and how she is able to stand up to her family and friends."

"I love your juxtaposition of modern language with Austenesque sensibilities. Anne is such a great, no-nonsense character."

"I am always on the hunt for Persuasion fics - and this is one of the best I've read!"

"Your twists and turns to this plot have enriched the story and thank you for showing such an independent Anne."

"Delightful romp. Never have anachronisms been brought to such good service in JA fan fiction."

"I can hardly imagine finding a more lively version of Persuasion than this one --and that only begins with the central image of retiring Anne revised into a charged-up, ready-to-roar runner. She is still quite sweet and likable in your, indeed, persuasive take."

"Your story is full of humor and irony. I honestly believe that this is the funniest story I have ever read. It's amusing and filled with so many twists. I love your independent, strong-willed Anne."

"I love your puns and witty references, which added to the flow and humour of the story. Your Anne is a fantastic proto-feminist who I would like to kidnap as my role model, but I don't think she would let me. And I certainly couldn't catch her." --What Readers Are Saying

Anne Elliot is a new person and a strong, independent woman in this novel. On her 25th birthday, when she is declared to be a spinster, Anne decides to take her life in her hands and free herself. I really wanted to hug Anne for her brave decision that brought such delightful changes to her character... In the original novel, she swallows [her family's] humiliating remarks, but not this Anne. The main thing that strengthened Anne so much mentally, and also physically, is running. In this novel, Anne is a long-distance runner. I know, very anachronistic. But let me tell you, anachronisms really work well in this novel. This story is meant to be a humorous take on Persuasion and a bit of a parody, and it has to be read as such. I found myself giggling several times... The novel is a perfect read for someone who loves humour and Jane Austen. The story, as well as the characters, are dealt with in a fresh, desirable way. This novel made me love Persuasion even more. It reminded me why Austen is such a great author. Simonsen really is an Austen connoisseur. -- This Miss Loves To Read

[Anne Elliot] is at heart, a love story that ends the way you want it to end, with some nice turns and a few surprises along the way. Let's put it this way, I read it in two days - which is unheard of for me - I had a hard time putting it down - good job Ms. Simonsen. -- JJ at Citivolus Sus Blog

Anne Elliot, A New Beginning was an amusing and frolicking romp! I loved how many of the characters were given a happier fate! I recommend this novel for readers who are looking to laugh and enjoy some silliness with the characters of Persuasion! - Meredith --Austenesque Reviews

Five Star Review - This book was a treasure... The idea of a Jane Austen character taking up running was as plausible to me as having Mr. Darcy walk to the middle of the drawing room and start doing the chicken dance... However, the way that Simonsen altered the story was ingenious. Anne changes so much because of one decision. It was amazing how Simonsen could pull such a subtle shift in character and plot without it being too outlandish. - Grace - Books Like Breathing -- Books Like Breathing

I thought this was a fun retelling. To imagine Anne as an assertive and self-assured heroine was an amusing departure and definitely worth my time. This was a great summer read. - Katy - A Few More Pages -- A Few More Pages

Simonsen's love of Jane Austen's Persuasion and her sense of humor are evident in her latest novel, Anne Elliot, A New Beginning which had me in stitches throughout. -- Anna - Diary of an Eccentric

This retelling was fun and fresh without having to resort to vampires, werewolves, or hot sex scenes, and I appreciated that. -- Jenny Loves to Read

Product Description

On Anne Elliot’s 25th birthday, her family has declared her to be a spinster, but instead of being downcast by this change in status, she finds it to be liberating. As a result of her new-found freedom, Anne becomes a long-distance runner, and this activity greatly increases her confidence and sense of self-worth. It is this new Anne who Captain Frederick Wentworth meets when he sees the love of his life after eight years of separation. The Captain admires the changes in Anne, and he finds that he is falling in love with her all over again.

However, there is a complication. The heir to Kellynch, the Elliot estate, William Elliot, has also come back into the picture after being estranged from Anne’s father, Sir Walter Elliot, Baronet, and he has set his sights on Anne. Now living in Bath, Anne senses that something is not right, and with the help of a street urchin named Swoosh, she sets out to discover William Elliot’s true nature.

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Product Details

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 339 KB
• Publisher: Quail Creek Publishing, LLC (May 24, 2010)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
• Language: English
• ASIN: B003OICHBA
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #107,300 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

More About the Author

From the time I read Pride & Prejudice in high school a long time ago, I have been tinkering with the plot line. What if Elizabeth and Darcy were based on real people? What was Georgiana really like? What if Anne De Bourgh actually had a personality? In 2007, I decided to try my hand at writing a novel, and the result is "Pemberley Remembered," which I self-published. I was very fortunate in that Sourcebooks Publishing, which specializes in Austen sequels, liked my book and bought the publishing rights to it. It will be out in December with a new cover and title, "Searching for Pemberley." This new book contains all of the original characters from "Pemberley Remembered," but it also continues the story of Maggie Joyce.

Having grown up in North Jersey (Elmwood Park), I had a lot of Italian friends, and they were a lot more interesting than my Irish relations. I loved their food, their enthusiasm, their culture, etc. So I recently wrote a story about love in the Italian-American community entitled "The Second Date," which is now available on Amazon.

I graduated from Elmwood Park High School in northern New Jersey. After marrying my wonderful husband, Paul, we moved to Texas and raised two beautiful daughters. After retiring from a career as a legal secretary in Dallas, I had a second career as a special education assistant in the Howard County, Maryland and Peoria, Arizona School Districts. I enjoyed both careers, but I'm really enjoying being an author more than anything I have ever done.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great fun!, July 8, 2010

By 

Kristin (Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Anne Elliot, A New Beginning: A Persuasion Re-imagining (Paperback)

This book was such great fun to read. When the good Captain Wentworth comes home from the navy looking very fine indeed, he is in for quite a surprise. He does not meet with the same Anne Elliot that he left seven years ago. He is rocked back on his heals with who he finds in her place and is scrambling to catch up with this determined, confident Anne. I have read a great deal of Austen based fiction and this has been one of my favorites. Absolutely holding my sides funny in places and tenderly poignant in others. This is one of the things Mary Simonsen is best at. You really care about her characters and become very invested in them. Even though they are based on Austen's characters, she really makes them her own and has a very unique voice. In fact, I have never liked Anne Elliot more. I loved it from beginning to end and can't recommend it enough.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Quircky,fun and delightful, November 9, 2010

By 

C. E. Davis "chatty" (boston) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Anne Elliot, A New Beginning (Kindle Edition)

This Persuassion alternative is quite interesting. The author tell a very interesting story but throws in some funny details that get you laughing. These details don't mesh with regency but do make the story light and funny. In the end, the story of Anne and Capt Wentworth is definitly worth reading. Loved the added characters, really inhanced the story. If your a JA purist you might not like this but if you just loosen your tie and enjoy the ride you will find it pleasuable.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Jane Austen Meets Saturday Night Live, August 11, 2010

By 

Meredith "Austenesque Reviews" (Wilmington , NC USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Anne Elliot, A New Beginning: A Persuasion Re-imagining (Paperback)

On her twenty-fifth birthday, Anne Elliot of Kellynch Hall, realizes that her family has put her on the shelf and considers an "old maid." Reconciling herself to the fact that she will forever be ignored and disregarded by her family, Anne finds comfort in the thought of living for herself and doing as she pleases. Unlike the Anne Elliot of Jane Austen's Persuasion, this Anne feels empowered, liberated, and has confidence in herself. So what if she is unmarried? So what if her heart is broken? She is still alive, and life is too beautiful to be wasted! At times while reading this tale I had Helen Reddy's "I Am Woman" going through my head. I found the lyrics very appropriate for Anne's new attitude!

If I have to

I can do anything

I am strong

I am invincible

I am woman

However, giving Anne an indomitable spirit is not the only alteration talented author Mary Simonsen made in her Persuasion variation. Ms. Simonsen decided to instill some comedy and a little bit of tomfoolery in her tale. Readers can expect to see many anachronisms, several allusions to the modern world, and a few plot discrepancies. To whet your appetite I'll mention that Elizabeth and Sir Walter establish a now well-known business enterprise that utilizes their knowledge on cosmetics and skin care, and instead of a peevish temper and imaginary ailments Mary Musgrove's new companions are a Physician's Desk Reference and Florence Nightingale! In addition to comedy, Ms. Simonsen augments the drama of Persuasion by making Mr. Elliot even more of the villainous knave than he was before. In this tale Anne, Captain Wentworth, and a precocious street urchin named Swoosh work together to expose Mr. Elliot's many sins and transgressions.

I must admit I had some reservations about reading a Jane Austen spoof. I was a little worried I wouldn't be open-minded enough or that I would find the anachronisms and liberties taken offending. That most definitely was not the case with Anne Elliot, A New Beginning! Yes, I had to suspend disbelief a little and recognize that I was in some kind of Persuasion parallel universe, but once I did I found this delightful lark of a novel highly entertaining!

The language of this novel was very casual and there were frequent uses contemporary language and sayings. Like when Anne calls Mary a "party pooper" or when Wentworth says: "It takes one to know one," to Mr. Elliot. Instead of being distracted by these anachronisms, I found it diverting to try and spot them as some were very subtle and cleverly inserted. For potential readers I will state that there are several suggestive comments and sexual innuendos as well as the occasional use of profanity. Because of this I would rate this novel PG-13. I wasn't a big fan of the added suggestiveness though, it felt a little forced and unnatural.

Anne Elliot, A New Beginning was an amusing and frolicking romp! I loved how many of the characters were given a happier fate! I recommend this novel for readers who are looking to laugh and enjoy some silliness with the characters of Persuasion!

Austenesque Reviews