They’re doing a run of all Jane Austen’s books on Masterpiece Theatre, starting with Persuasion last night.
I know some people aren’t necessarily fond of this book. It’s understandable, as it’s definitely not one of her lighter works, but I actually like it better than Emma and Sense and Sensibility. I’m not sure exactly why that is, except that it might be because it’s a very genuine story.
I really enjoyed last night’s adaptation. My only slight beef with it was that they didn’t end it the way the book ended, with Anne going to sea with Captain Wentworth. As the BF pointed out, it’s probably not the easiest thing to get an appropriately historically accurate ship for what was probably a lowish budget production, but I always loved that about the book. But I suppose if that was my only problem with the show, that’s not a bad thing. The only other thing I can think to add is that I loved Anthony Stewart Head’s portrayal of Anne’s father. He’s such a great actor.