Persuasion: Norton Critical Edition

The revised Norton Critical Edition of Jane Austen’s final complete novel, "Persuasion," is now available. This edition focuses on emerging trends in critical analysis that are crucial for understanding Austen’s literary accomplishment. It is based on the original first edition text from 1818, potentially released in late 1817. The editor has replaced ampersands with spelled-out words and lowercase superscript letters for improved readability.

In addition to the novel itself, this edition includes revised and expanded explanatory annotations, as well as the two canceled chapters that originally concluded "Persuasion." The section entitled “Backgrounds and Contexts” features contemporary appraisals of Austen’s work and materials addressing societal issues of the era.

Included in this section are excerpts from William Hayley’s 1785 “Essay on Old Maids,” Austen’s correspondence with Fanny Knight expressing doubts about marriage as the ultimate source of happiness, and Henry Austen’s tribute to his renowned sister. Critiques from nineteenth-century analysts Julia Kavanagh and Goldwin Smith, who depicted Austen as a modest, sheltered, and “feminine” rural writer, offer valuable insights. The perspective of Austen’s biographer, Geraldine Edith Mitten, is also featured.

The Second Edition of this Norton Critical Edition highlights contemporary critical interpretations, showcasing significant shifts in our understanding of Austen’s work. This edition invites readers to consider Austen’s experiences living through the Napoleonic Wars and their aftermath, just like her contemporaries in England.

New essays by Linda Bree, Sidney Gottlieb, John Wiltshire, and David Monaghan offer fresh perspectives on "Persuasion," with Gottlieb and Monaghan specifically exploring film adaptations of the novel. A detailed Chronology of Austen’s life and writings, a new addition to the Second Edition, is complemented by an updated Selected Bibliography.

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