Persuasive Arguments is not merely the last, but the most mature Austen novel, and considered by countless critics and readers to be the best.
She lives in Sir Walter Elliot's castle in Somersetshire with his three daughters. He himself is a widow, only Mary, the youngest of the daughters, got married, the eldest, Elisabeth, in her pride waited in vain for a prestigious marriage, and Anne (the sensitive, intelligent and kind-hearted heroine of the novel) was dissuaded from marrying her love, a young, to an indigent naval officer. Anne slowly comes to terms with the fact that her circumstances condemn her to the fate of old women, but after eight years, the rejected suitor emerges as a successful, wealthy sea captain who wants to settle down for good and start a family. And he has only one requirement for his future wife: she can be anyone, but not Anne Elliot.
Can Anne be given another chance by fate, and if she really gets a chance, will she find happiness and harmony at the side of the once-rejected Captain Wentworth, or as the partner of the delightful stranger whom she meets again and again in the most unexpected situations?
Austen's writing qualities are unbroken, the characterization, analytical soul drawing, irony, excellent location descriptions and tight editing make the novel a lasting experience.