Customer Reviews

Anne Elliot, A New Beginning

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

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.

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.

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

I loved this hilarious rendition of Jane Austen's Persuasion. This confidant and fit Anne Elliot, brings out the best in all those she encounters. She isn't a doormat to be walk upon or is she invisible. She is vibrant and outspoken. She is not Jane's Anne, she is Mary's Anne.

I really enjoyed how Ms Simonsen mixed modern and regency zeitgeist. From figuring out how to jog without stays, cotton padding regency shoes to make trainers all the way to the Elliot's Avon and ARRP ideas.

Laugh at loud funny, and heart warming. Lookout Fredrick Wentworth, she is not the same Anne from eight years ago.

I gave up a long time ago expecting the quality of language of Jane Austen or tightness of plot, let alone the attention to tiny social detail or understatement of what is going on. Jane Ausetn was a rare genius with remarkable linguistic abilities. It is not likely any modern author can think like an Age of Reason writer. The modern era has a different mindset. Nevertheless, many of these Austen spinoffs can be loads of fun. I forgot about perfection of style many's the time, to find out who Mary Bennet or Georgiana Darcy married. I've seen brigands run away with Elizabeth Darcy, and even Lady Catherine. Mary and other minor characters have set up to be spinster novelists, complete with socially divergent personalities. I've even seen modern women become Elizabeth Darcy in her own time. I've witnessed R-rated lovemaking between the married Darcys, but the books that have been turned out lately are getting poorer in quality.
Austen wrote in the age of the velvet glove. Putting Dickens' Artful Dodger in is colorful, but talking about high fives and homeboys? It's not 2010 inner city Chicago. Anne running is innovative, but it needs to blend into her society more. The psycobabble is thouroghy modern American and sounds like a blog on yesterday's dating want ads. There's modern slang and plain dirty language. Please let us remember that there are many who have not read the original Austen, and certainly will get no idea of the culture of that time from some of these books. There are even those who will cheat on their high school or college essay, using this book as the text. We have a minimal obligation to academic standards here. Let's try to do a good job and not just grind out anything for the royalties!

I enjoy Persuasion as one of my favorite JA books. This version needs you to suspend belief that running was perfectly acceptable for a Regency period woman, and that Anne invented the word jogging. With the publisher description that Anne became a marathon runner, I was expecting a modern retelling rather than a historical one.
I enjoy the premise of the book, that Anne decides to take over her own life and make her own life choices, becoming a stronger person. This inspires Mary to become a much more sympathetic character.
The story is fun, and filled with modern references, which is not for the JA purist.

I love persuasion and bought the two DVDs and the sequels. This is was a waste of my money. Very painful to read. Good thing I bought thru kindle. Don't waste your money!

Mary Lydon Simonsen has another winner in "Anne Elliot, a New Beginning." Ms. Simonsen has a gift for character development not only for Anne, our heroine, but for all the people surrounding her. You'll not feel sorry for "spinster" Ann Elliot for very long. She's a strong, independent woman who although stereotyped as a spinster by many cannot be labeled for long. She will not be defined by the standards of the day by either her family or those that who try to court her. She's smart, witty and strong willed. Treat yourself to an enjoyable read and meet Anne, Captain Wentworth (the love of her life), and a host of other delightful, mean, deceitful and crazy characters.

This truly is a comedy. I am enjoying it tremendously. I just got it yesterday and I'm in chapter 24. I didn't know if I'd enjoy it originally when I read Mary's review but I like all things Persuasion and thought I'd give it a whirl as they say asap. It had me laughing so much. The innuendos are just great. And of course with some modern terminology thrown in it says it like more people in today's society would. I have to complete it today. I don't think I should stay up most of the night again to read...lol. I'm not done, but what I've read so far is just pure fun. Don't look for lots of history or things to compare it to for accuracy. This is a for fun book in my mind and sometimes we just need that kind of a book. I truly enjoy how she helps everyone around her to see things in a different light. The changes in Mary's personality as well as others is a fun thing to behold. I can hardly wait to see what else lies in store.
Okay update I finished it within hours of writing the first part. I was so excited about it. The ending was amazing. The links with products, other people, nursery rhymes, was so well done. I loved John B. Goode. Please write another one.

So Anne Elliot is a mouse no more. Ms. Simonsen has created characters that are true to the originals, but at the same time more open - with themselves and each other. It's interesting to see Anne realize that because no one seems to care about her she is provided with the freedom to make her own way and do her own thing in the world. Because she is less shy, Captain Wentworth is more interested sooner and is therefore less petty and disdainful. Ah, but the troubles are still there, including her family, and Mr. William Elliot, but this Anne doesn't wait for things to happen to her - she makes them happen herself --- way to go Anne! Thanks to Ms. Simonsen for such an entertaining trip! Miss Austen would be proud.