PERSUASION: THE COMPLETE NOVEL, FEATURING THE CHARACTERS’ LETTERS AND PAPERS, WRITTEN AND FOLDED BY HAND
This special edition invites fans inside the world of Anne Elliot. It includes the full text of Persuasion, plus gorgeous, removable replicas of the characters’ letters and other paper ephemera.
Captain Wentworth’s letter to Anne Elliot remains one of the literature’s most unforgettable confessions. It is the jewel at the heart of Persuasion, Jane Austen’s captivating story of second chances and enduring love. Throughout the story, letters, newspapers, maps, and other paper ephemera reveal the characters’ deepest motivations and shape their destinies. Anne’s snobbish father obsesses over a written history of their noble family, and a page from the Bath Chronicle reveals the elaborate social scene of the town where the lovers are finally reunited.
This deluxe edition brings all of this and more to life. As you read the novel, you will find pockets throughout containing replicas of thirteen items from the story, re-created with exquisite calligraphy and painstaking attention to historical detail. For anyone who loves Jane Austen or still cherishes the joy of letter writing, this book deepens the experience of a favorite story in an entirely new way.
BELOVED STORY: PERSUASION is a much-beloved classic, cherished by romantic readers everywhere. This project hits all the sweet spots for Austenites while offering something new to beguile them.
PERSUASION ADAPTATIONS IN THE WORKS: With not one but two new film adaptations of Persuasion on the horizon, now is the perfect time to revisit the original text in a unique way, with physical ephemera that links you directly to Austen’s world.
UNIQUE FORMAT: From the masterful calligraphy to the painstaking attention to historical detail to the hand-folding of the letters to the quality of the materials—each book is an object made by fans for fans. This edition offers an immersive experience of the story, stands apart on the shelf, and makes for a truly lovely gift and keepsake.
Perfect for:
- Jane Austen fans
- Moms, daughters, grandmothers, and girlfriends
- Book clubbers
- Letter writers
- Collectors of vintage ephemera
OFFICIAL AUTHOR BIOS
Jane Austen (author) (1775–1817) was a British writer. Persuasion was her last completed novel, published six months after her death.
Barbara Heller (curator) is a set decorator for film and television and a writer and director of award-winning short films. Her previous books include special editions of Pride and Prejudice and Little Women. She lives in New York City.
PERSUASION BY JANE AUSTEN AND BARBARA HELLER REVIEW
Disclosure: I was given an advanced reader’s copy from the publisher, Chronicle Books. This review is my honest opinion.
Sometimes reading is a magical experience – a book can have the power to transport you to different worlds and times or even transform you as a person.
That’s why I fell in love with reading as a highly imaginative child in the first place. And while I still love reading, it’s rare to feel the same excitement I once did as a kid. Occasionally, reading books can even feel more like work as a writer and reviewer.
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But reading the new deluxe edition of Persuasion curated by Barbara Heller completely reignited my passion for reading.
When I opened my package from Chronicle Books (the publisher) with a copy of the new deluxe edition, I felt a thrill go up my spine.
This book contains a handwritten copy of Captain Wentworth’s romantic letter to Anne, arguably the most romantic letter in fiction. And I couldn’t wait to hold it in my hand.
And yes, I admit it. I cheated and skipped ahead to see it. My excitement was too great! But that was my only sneak peek. I enjoyed the rest of the documents in order as I delightfully read my new copy.
THE STORY OF JANE AUSTEN’S PERSUASION
If you haven’t read Jane Austen’s famous classic novel, you might wonder what the big deal is over handwritten letters and other vintage ephemera from the book.
Well, Persuasion tells the story of Anne Elliot, a young Englishwoman persuaded to break off her engagement to Captain Frederick Wentworth, a young Navy man.
About seven years later, they cross paths again – both still unmarried. They have a second chance at love but with obstacles still in their way.
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All these moments lead up to the most beautiful romantic letter in literature from Captain Wentworth to Anne.
The book was published on December 20, 1817, about six months after Jane Austen’s passing, and has become one of the greatest novels of all time with beautiful prose, deep emotions, and authentic characters.
ITEMS FROM PERSUASION BROUGHT TO LIFE
The special edition from Barbara Heller made Jane Austen’s Persuasion feel new. And this is a book I’ve read numerous times – especially since it’s one of my favorite novels.
Reading Persuasion with letters ignited my imagination, further transporting me into Anne Elliot’s (and Jane Austen’s) world – and I never wanted it to end.
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In total, Barbara Heller and her team of artists recreated about thirteen items from the story in exquisite historical detail. From a Navy List to letters to Sir Walter Elliot’s favorite ancestral book, not to mention Captain Wentworth’s iconic letter and more.
The items appear in little pocket sleeves throughout the novel – next to the book moments they represent.
Barbara Heller, the creator of this deluxe edition, also works as a set decorator for film and television and is a filmmaker – experiences that helped Heller replicate these historical documents that are works of art and magical to see and touch.
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It’s like being transported into a romantic period drama.
Heller previously published other handwritten classics for Pride and Prejudice and Little Women – both of which received rave reviews.
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This new Persuasion is sure to follow in their footsteps as it’s hard to top holding Captain Wentworth’s handwritten letter (in gorgeous calligraphy) in your own hand.
Reading Wentworth’s letter was, without a doubt, the most magical aspect of this edition (at least for me). Seeing the words written on paper folded by hand made the story feel real.
But every item was incredible. This edition is a collector’s item to treasure.
OVERALL THOUGHTS
All in all, I can’t recommend this deluxe edition of Persuasion from Barbara Heller enough. It’s a treat for Austen fans everywhere – or even for readers who have never read the book.
The story of love and second chances comes alive in this beautiful, memorable collectible edition.
BUY THE BOOK
The book is available for pre-order and will be released on October 4, 2022. You can buy it on Amazon, Bookshop.org, and Chronicle Books.
For even more handwritten classics curated by Barbara Heller, check out Pride and Prejudice and Little Women.
How much do you love Jane Austen’s Persuasion? Would you want to own a copy of this new edition? Let us know in the comments!
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