Thank you
for hosting me on your wonderful book club!
While all of
us feel the irresistible pull of the spirited Lizzie Bennett, I am not the only
person who has a special love for Anne Elliot from Persuasion.
Anne is
dutiful, steady, and puts the needs of others before herself. Does that make
for a dull heroine? Maybe to some. But I love "overlooked" people.
It's always fun to find the introvert in the room, and go start a conversation.
Introverts frequently have plenty to say. They spent less time talking and more
time thinking.
I also have
a fondness for women with a secret. Almost every book I've ever written is
about a woman with a secret. The novel I am just embarking upon is about a
real-life woman with a fairly big secret. And Anne's past romance with Captain
Wentworth would seem to qualify as a secret, since almost no one around her
seems to know about their shared past.
When I put
Persuasion in a modern context, the secret became even more intriguing, and
heartbreaking. I call this book a "modern translation." I went
through the original, chapter by chapter, and translated each scene to a modern
setting. Set in 2008 in the United States instead of early 1800s Regency
England, the forces that keep the lovers apart for so long are as powerful now
as they were 200 years ago.
To show you
what I mean by "translation," I have included two excerpts: one is a
condensation of the beginning of Austen's original, the second is my modern
rendition of it.
The
original:
Sir Walter
Elliot, of Kellynch-hall, in Somersetshire, was a man who, for his own
amusement, never took up any book but the Baronetage; there he found occupation
for an idle hour, and consolation in a distressed one; there his faculties were
roused into admiration and respect, by contemplating the limited remnant of the
earliest patents; there any unwelcome sensations, arising from domestic
affairs, changed naturally into pity and contempt, as he turned over the almost
endless creations of the last century -- and there, if every other leaf were
powerless, he could read his own history with an interest which never failed --
this was the page at which the favorite volume always opened:
ELLIOTT OF
KELLYNCH-HALL
Walter
Elliot, born March 1, 1760, married, July 15, 1784, Elizabeth, daughter of
James Stevenson, Esq of South Park, in the county of Gloucester;by which lady
(who died 1801) he has issue Elizabeth, born June 1, 1785; Anne, born AUgust 9,
1787; a still-born son, Nov 5, 1789; Mary, born Nov 20, 1791.
- - - - - -
- - - -
Vanity was
the beginning and the end of Sir Walter Elliott's character; vanity of person
and of situation. He had been remarkably handsome in his youth; and, at
fifty-four, was still a very fine man. Few women could think more of their
personal appearance than he did; nor could the valet of any new made lord be
more delighted with the place he held in
society. He considered the blessing of beauty as inferior only to the blessing
of a baronetcy; and the Sir Walter Elliot, who united these gifts, was the
constant object of his warmest respect and devotion.
My
translation:
Walter
Elliot’s favorite book was Who’s Who in
America. While most financiers might have preferred The Wall Street Journal, that was merely reading in order to get
the day’s news. That was work, not pleasure. Seeing his entry always gave him a
boost on a bad day. On the other hand, it still gave him a boost of
satisfaction and pleasure when he was having a good day.
ELLIOT,
WALTER J.
Banker.
Personal: Born Sept 28, 1954, New York, NY; son of James and Mary Elliot;
married Elizabeth Steventon (deceased), January 5, 1979; children: Elizabeth,
Anne, Mary. Educ: Cornell University, BA, 1976; Columbia Business School, MBA,
1978. Career: Union Savings and Loan, various positions, 1978-1993, Security
Savings Bank, corp lending officer, 1993-1997, Washington Mutual Bank, loan
analyst, 1997-1998, Prosperity Bank, assistant vice pres & mgr of credit
admin, 1998-2001, Metro Bank, vice pres 2002-. Orgs: Columbia Univ Alumni 1979
-; mem Metropolitan Club, 1979 -; mem
The Core Club, 2003 -. Honors/Awds: Cornell Univ Distinguished Alumni Award.
Business Addr: Metro Bank, 29 Wall Street, New York, NY 10005.
For a man of
54, he spent a lot of time looking in mirrors. He prided himself on being
follicly gifted; he still sported a full, thick head of hair, and a judicious
application of Just for Men meant that no one needed to know that there was a
little bit of gray coming in at his temples. For all he knew there was a lot of
gray, but since he kept the silver traitors carefully managed, he had no way of
knowing how much was actually there.
Book
Description
Anne Elliot
broke off her relationship with Freddie Wentworth when her family didn't
approve. Almost eight years later, Freddie re-materializes in her life. She's a
captain in the Air Force, successful, single, and as beautiful as ever.
Mortified that she doesn't have much to show for the intervening years, Anne
tries to avoid her. When contact is inevitable, her life is turned upside down.
Self-doubt becomes self-improvement, old wounds are reopened and then allowed
to heal, and true friends and true love win in the end.
Reviews
"It is
a tribute to Watts’ sensitivity and skill that the narrative, while following
the original story closely, holds plenty of tension and some cleverly
engineered surprises... the whole thing is great fun as Watts brings Jane
Austen’s tale of yearning and missed opportunity bang up to date."
-Jocelyn
Bury, Jane Austen's Regency World
"All
the heart and humor of your favorite Regency romance but with a modern
sensibility that truly allows love to triumph over every obstacle."
Miranda
MacLeod, Author of the Love's Encore series
"An
interesting, thought-provoking and sweet novel."
Maria
Biajoli, Professor of English Literature, UNIFAL
About the
Author
Jeanette
Watts is a dancer and dance instructor, costumer, actress, gardener, wine
enthusiast, cyclist, writer, and very poor housekeeper.
Website
http://JeanetteWatts.com
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/AWomansPersuasion
Twitter
@JeanetteAWatts
Instagram
@JeanetteAMLWatts
Goodreads
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6967936.Jeanette_Watts
Giveaway
4 comments:
Retellings of Persuasion are my favorite!
Persuasion is my favorite novel so would love to read this.
What a beautiful novel.
I thoroughly enjoyed your delightful take on Persuasion in a modern context, and your comparison between the characters in Jane Austen's classic and their contemporary counterparts was intriguing. Your fresh translation of Sir Walter Elliot's character into a modern-day financier was both creative and humorous. It's impressive how you've skillfully transported the story to 2008 in the United States, demonstrating that the forces that keep Anne and Freddie apart remain timeless. As we indulge in the charm of your writing, let me suggest that just as you've modernized a beloved classic, job seekers can modernize their careers with Best CV London. Writing a CV or a book isn't an easy task. Not everyone can effectively compose these documents on their own; often, they require the assistance of professionals. A CV holds a fundamental role for all job seekers, representing their qualifications and experiences. I highly recommend that all job seekers consider enlisting professional help when preparing their CVs. Additionally, if you're looking to publish your life story, hiring a professional writer to craft your biography is a wise choice. Professional writers can ensure that your story is engaging and well-presented, capturing the essence of your experiences.
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