Anne Corey has a fulfilling life and career. She works at a beautiful college in California teaching about and researching books that she loves. In order to earn tenured position, though, she has to finish-- and find a publisher for-- her first book. Just as her life seems to be coming into place, Anne discovers her former fiancé has been appointed the president of her college. Will Anne succeed in the life she has chosen, or wish she had made other choices? Is it really possible to have it all?
Julia Sonneborn tells an entertaining, modern version of Jane Austen's classic Persuasion in By the Book. While I typically love the creativity involved in such retellings, my personal opinion-- as an adoring fan of Persuasion-- is that Sonneborn went a bit too far in changing the ultimate premise of the story. Sonneborn's development of most of the characters was masterful and spot-on. Her interpretation of both Anne and Adam, however, left me frustrated. The best parts of Persuasion were missing. In the modern novel, Anne breaks off her engagement with Adam after a conversation with a mostly unlikeable professor whom Anne admires. The fact that the original Anne took the advice of a much more established mother figure in Austen's version make it infinitely more believable and gut-wrenching. Similarly, Captain Wentworth's slow realization of Anne's true worth is the most beautiful and central storyline in Persuasion. I ended the novel not quite sure who did any persuading, or whom was persuaded to do anything. Again, I realize that others may chalk these complaints up to artistic license, and they would be correct. I would simply argue that too much license was taken, and resulted in an entirely different story.
**Personal Note: unlike the majority of books I review on this blog, By the Book is not Christian fiction. While never graphic, pre-marital sex plays a role in the plot, and a main character is openly homosexual. I had no qualms reading the book, but others may.**
I received a free copy from the publisher. No review, positive or otherwise, was required—all opinions are my own.
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