Hi friends! I am so excited to welcome back author Claire Johnson to Austenesque Reviews today! Claire paid us a visit in 2014 with her modern Pride and Prejudice story, Pen and Prejudice. We are really happy to be learning more about Claire’s newest release, Resolution, which is a modern 
adaptation of Persuasion! Where are our Persuasion fans at? Woot woot!!! 🙌🏼
We hope you enjoy this excerpt Claire is sharing with you today!
Thanks you so much for letting me showcase my latest modern adaptation of a beloved Austen novel. I chose Persuasion for my second modern adaptation. As I age, I find that this is my favorite Austen novel because it’s about second chances. How you think your life is written in stone, and maybe that one choice you made was inevitable, but the consequences of that decision broke your heart. And for some unearthly reason, you’ve been given a second chance at happiness and love. This excerpt is taken from the middle of the novel and is analogous to the scene in Persuasion where Louisa Musgrove and Captain Wentworth are gleaning for nuts in the hedgerow, and Anne can’t but help eavesdropping on their conversation
~ Excerpt from Resolution ~
I’d promised Charles and Walter some animal crackers if they ate one bite of pizza before gorging themselves on ice cream. There was probably more pizza on their faces than in their stomachs as they shoved the pizza into their mouths, but a promise is a promise.
After frog-marching them to the bathroom to wash the tomato sauce from their faces and hands, I shooed them back into the backyard and headed for the kitchen, trying not to remember Lulu perched on the arm of Derrick’s Adirondack chair like some blonde bird of prey. Although I’d never appreciated her taste in clothing as she favored Ralph Lauren meets Lilly Pulitzer, the madras shorts and pink polo shirt looked fresh and summery, while I, cognizant we were feeding pizza to toddlers, had worn black from head to toe.
Lulu, Charles, and Derrick had hit the links that morning, and the exercise—or a real artistry with blusher—had infused her cheeks with a warm glow. I wasn’t exactly glowing from a day on the links. More like a pale sweat from a morning dedicated to picking up toys and stopping Charlie and Walter from killing each other, both of them hyped beyond belief in response to several days of inactivity.
It doesn’t matter who he sits with, doesn’t matter, doesn’t matter…, I repeated to myself as I watched the boys scamper out the backdoor.
Like many older homes, Mary’s house had a large walk-in pantry. In anticipation of the inevitable meltdown between the two children, I’d bought some animal crackers the day before and had secreted them among the boxes of cereal. Had they already found them and eaten them already, I wondered, as I stood behind the pantry door, flailing with my hand to reach the back of the shelf. No sooner did my hand grab the box of cookies when a voice wafted through the barely open door.
Before I could make my presence known, Lulu said in her usual confident drawl, “She’s insufferable. None of us can figure out why Charles married her.”
“Clearly he adores her,” Derrick pointed out.
“Clearly,” Lulu replied in a disgusted tone, as if personally affronted that Charles should love my sister.
“He seems very happy.”
I debated making my presence known just to embarrass the hell out of Lulu. I might have voiced a similar opinion on occasion, but Mary was my sister, and I had a right to trash her now and then. Lulu did not. Especially when she was a guest in my sister’s house and pining for use of her attic. My free hand grabbed on the doorknob, ready to pop out from behind the door with a snarky smile on my face.
“The whole family is a nightmare. You haven’t met the other sister, have— Oh that’s right, you dated Anne at some point. I doubt Liz has improved over time. Hand me that bowl, will you?”
Mary must have sent them on an ice run because next I heard the bright sound of ice cubes hitting glass.
“We’re coming. Hold your horses!” Lulu shouted in response to some demand of Mary’s no doubt.
“Just a college fling.”
My hand closed tight around the box of crackers.
“Liz has had a bazillion husbands. No surprises there. She might be the most vapid person I’ve ever met. And there’s Mary. No additional comment necessary. Anne’s the only normal one. Sort of,” she qualified. “Was her mother dead by the time you two met?”
“She’d died a couple of years earlier.”
“That house you guys are renting is a veritable shrine to her. They’re all in some weird time warp. It’s very Miss Havisham. I swear that house is exactly like it was the day she died.”
“I’m surprised Anne hasn’t…”
His voice dropped, and I couldn’t hear the rest of the sentence. I edged closer to the open crack in the door.
“Oh, she’s dated a lot, although not much recently. All nice guys, but they never seem to last more than a year or so. Mary, we’re coming! God, that woman. The whole weird thing with their father, how they all wait on him hand and foot is probably part of it. If I were a guy, I’d run a mile once I’d taken stock of their dynamics. There’s no room for anyone else, frankly. Anne should have moved out years ago, but she stays in her cottage, acting like her father’s secretary, his pseudo-wife. It’s sad and not a little sick. Well… I have my own love life to worry about. I have no intention of worrying about hers.”
“What worries? What does a beautiful and intelligent woman like you have to worry about?”
If that had been me, I would have burst out laughing at such a clumsy pickup line, although I didn’t find it particularly funny on the other side of this door.
“Oh, you know. Like everyone, I’m looking for someone where nothing else matters. I criticize Mary constantly, but I cannot deny that she supports Charles a thousand percent. There’s something so admirable in such a relationship. Where one person’s destiny is your destiny.”
“Soulmates, you mean. I’m looking for such a person, too,” he said in a sultry voice.
I hoped to God they were done talking because I couldn’t stand any more of this conversation. In my opinion, Lulu only cares that the men she dates have washboard abs. Soulmates? More like gym mates. And Derrick. You jerk. Why was I the one who had to pack my passport and take off as opposed to you waiting for me to finish my degree? Why wasn’t it our destiny? It was only your destiny you cared about.
There was silence for a few seconds and then the padding sound of footsteps leaving the kitchen. I took a few deep breaths to center myself and then realized I’d crushed the box of cookies with my hand.
Ooh! I am liking the sound of this Anne Elliot! She is showing some inner strength! 💪🏼And I don’t know about Lulu… 🤔 I cannot wait to see some interactions between Derrick and Anne! 🥰
~ Book Description ~
Resolution is a modern retelling of the Jane Austen classic Persuasion. Instead of sailors, we have academics and instead of Bath, we have Carmel. Our story opens with Anne Elliot packing up the family home. Her father, a professor at the University of California, is book smart but a financial idiot. In an attempt to recoup his losses from a disastrous business investment, he rents out the family home to the Crofts, who happen to be the brother-in-law and sister of Derrick Wentworth, Anne’s former love. They met while students at university and had an acrimonious parting the spring of her junior year. Now thirty-five, she’s dated other men, but no one has made as deep dents in her heart as had Derrick Wentworth. We have the selfish father, the odious sister, and whining malcontented sister set against the backdrops of California cities of Berkeley and Carmel. There is commentary on academia, grief, love and marriage in the modern age, and stubborn young men who learn to regret their arrogance and the women who love them.
~ Connect with Claire ~
~ About Claire ~
Claire M. Johnson has written two mysteries: Beat until Stiff, which was nominated for an Agatha Award for Best First novel, and Roux Morgue, which received a starred review from Publishers Weekly. Her third book is a modern pastiche of the Austen classic Pride and Prejudice titled Pen and Prejudice, which is now complimented by her latest modern adaptation, Resolution, a retelling of Persuasion. She lives in Northern California with her husband and a gigantic Golden Retriever and two very neurotic cats.
~~~
GIVEAWAY TIME!!!
Today, Claire brings with her ONE copy of Resolution for me to give away to ONE lucky winner! (paperback for US winner, PDF for international)
To enter this giveaway, leave a comment, a question, or some love for Claire!!
- This giveaway is open worldwide. Thank you, Claire!
- This giveaway ends January 31st!
I love Persuasion and look forward to reading this retelling. One reason I follow this blog is to find out about books like this for my TBR pile. Thank you.
I hope you like it. Some of her books are easier to “translate” into a modern setting. This was easier than I thought it would be! Cheers, Claire
Yay! I was so happy to learn about Claire’s newest release as I knew some fans of this blog have been hankering for some more Persuasion stories!
I notice that both book covers are black and white with a touch of red. Loved the excerpt and the modern take on Persuasion. I am intrigued! Thank you for the giveaway.
I entered this project with a theme. I mean to tackle all of the books. Although I have to admit, I choose the easiest ones first to matriculate into a modern setting. The other books will be much harder. Hope you enjoy!
“Persuasion” is my absolute favorite, so I really look forward to enjoying this book. There are not enough “Persuasion” variations.
I think that’s because at it’s heart it’s a sad book. Anne finds herself surrounded by selfish, awful people, and can’t even take solace in her family because they are the worst of them all. Even though Mrs. Bennett is ridiculous, we get the sense of family in P&P. That is all lacking in Persuasion. The key word I would use to describe Anne is “lonely.” Hope you enjoy!
Absolutely, Ginna! I especially love moderns of Persuasion…can’t get enough of romances that get a second chance!
Persuasion is my 2nd favorite of JA’s novel–nothing can quite supplant P&P in my opinion. This book however, sounds very intriguing and wonderful read. Thank you for entering me in the contest. I would treasure this book.
Who doesn’t love Elizabeth Bennett??? But now that I’m older, that witty young woman feels a little distant from me. Someone who doesn’t know yet what it is to love. But Anne? Having nearly caught that golden ring of happiness only to have it slip out of her fingers? Who hasn’t missed grabbing that ring at least once in their life (and I don’t just mean marriage but that one thing that will guarantee one’s happiness). I so want to believe in second chances. That you can shake a fist at fate. Elizabeth’s charms are such that she owns fate. Anne? Not so much, and to see someone who is an every day woman getting that second change. I heart her so much.
I had the chance to read it pre-publication and highly recommend! (Please don’t include me in the giveaway because I already have a copy.)
You were a wonderful beta and there is no way I can do you justice for all the insight you provided. Thank you!
That’s so great to hear, Abigail! I’m looking forward to reading this one!
Ooh that sounds interesting!
I hope so! I found an enormous number of parallels between the landed well-to-do and the insular world of academia (as I work in academia and I’ve met a fair number of Sir Walter’s in my career!).
Since I loved Pen and Prejudice I know I will like Resolution too! Persuasion is #2 on my list!
What a lovely thing to say. Thank you so much. This book means very much to me. My mother died while I was finishing it, and I have to admit that so much of her grief was my own and trying to make sense of it all.
So happy to hear you loved Pen and Prejudice, Nancy! I thought it was a so much fun, I loved the publishing/writer world and I adored the heroine!
Captivating and lovely. Resolution would be greatly enjoyed. Thanks.
Thank you!
Some interesting dynamics here! There were a few things I had to Google to get a full picture, I’d never heard of some of the design terms. They say every day is a school day 🙂
I tried to make it as “true” to the original as possible, but some things don’t translate. It’s a difficult row to hoe. How much do you introduce modern language and how much will the modern language detract from a well-known and beloved book. Thanks for the feedback!
First,Claire, I hope you and your family were safe from the fires in northern California. That was such a scary time. Next, I want to thank Meredith for this post [hello to your Mr. Bingley]. Now, down to business: I love Persuasion… I suppose it is that second chance at love and she is older and much wiser. I love that. I can’t wait to read this. Blessings on the success of this book. Good luck to all in the drawing.
I love it, too. Aside from Mansfield Park, and I would say that it’s even a “deeper” book than MP because by this point JA has lost all hope that the aristocracy will set things right. The fires. Oh, so terrible. I was in New Jersey visiting my daughter when I got a very weird message on my cell phone. Well, I get a lot of stupid phone calls and messages these days trying to pass along coupons, etc., so I ignored it. For about five minutes. But then the number was so odd. So I opened it up, and it was a message from the local authorities that I needed to evacuate immediately. I frantically called my husband to make sure he got the message. Through a comedy of errors, he didn’t get the message until a neighbor banged on his door and told him to get OUT!. The cell phone lines were all clogged, and we could only get through intermittently and often were cut off. This is a great reason for keeping your landlines! Except we had no power because of the winds (hurricane force). Luckily the wind was going the other way, or I doubt I would have a home today. It was terrifying. We now have a kit in the garage for evaluating at a moment’s notice. Rounding up the animals was the hardest part. Thank for your concern!
I adored Pen and Prejudice–I’m really looking forward to this release. I know it will be smashing!
Thank you for all your support. It takes a village!
I’m so happy to see this as I love Persuasion.
Me, too. I love it’s melancholy. I love it’s humor. I love how Anne gets a chance to regain her voice after so long under the dominion of her father and odious sister. It’s a beautiful book.
Persuasion is my favorite Austen book and I am so glad you are making her a stronger character or letting it be more easily seen. And because of the academic aspect I am sure it will have a lot of witty banter. Really looking forward to this one!
It’s become my favorite Austen book as I’ve aged. I think we all would love to have a second chance. A moment when you can turn back time for just a minute. Academia is such an easy target. I work in academia and it’s a MINEFIELD of ideas.
Love the cover. Persuasion is a favorite of mine. This snippet has left me wanting more.
Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
It’s very faithful to the original book. I had to tweak some things because of the societal restrictions placed on women, but I swapped those dictates out for the restrictions we place on ourselves, in some ways, much more binding. My sister did the cover! Isn’t it grand?
Thank you for the excerpt. No wonder she stayed unmarried til age 35… no one can hold a candle to Derrick. Eager to know their whole history past, present and future 😉
Thank you Meredith for this, I don’t know how I never encountered Pen and Prejudice before in my Amazon searches for P & P. (as it states it had been published in 2013)
I think that subconsciously she was holding out for him to come to his senses. How could something so perfect be torn apart so easily? Also I felt while writing this that Derrick needed to grow up to be the mate that Anne deserved. And it DID work out in the end, didn’t it? Thanks!
So glad you enjoyed this post and I am glad it brought 2 new Austenesque releases to your attention!
Some days Pride and Prejudice is my favorite, other days Persuasion wins. Today is a Persuasion day. I’ve ordered a new bookcase which should be here very soon, so I’ll have space just aching to be filled. Looking forward to reading Resolution – good luck with it!
Thank you so much. As I age (and I am old!), Persuasion hits all my buttons in the right way. It’s that sense of loss that is inevitable as time moves forward. I think Austen captures that. How some events are set in stone forever and how little power we often have. Sir Walter will always be vain to the point of pathology, and you would think that Elizabeth edging into spinster territory might give her pause and perhaps reflect a wee bit on why she hasn’t been snapped up, but no. Her arrogance is so profound that there is no room for any possible reflection of self. In P&P, the world in Elizabeth and Darcy’s oyster. In Persuasion, Anne gains so much, but she also loses Kellynch forever. It’s melancholy but also hopeful, if such a disconnect is possible.
Persuasion is my absolute favourite book. I was thrilled to see a new version of my Birthday-Twin’s best novel. Lol. I was a Lizzy Bennet devotee since about 11, until I reached my early 30’s and I found that I identified with Anne much more. I love how such a lonely person gets a second chance at happiness. What’s your favourite of Jane’s books?
Persuasion is my favorite for the same reason. As I’ve aged, I realize that some things become immutable. Anne’s father will always be selfish, Elizabeth will always be arrogant and vapid, and Mary will always be disgruntled. But the wonderful thing about Persuasion is that hope, that wonderful and rare opportunity to get a second chance. When I was much younger, I was a P&P fan, because if you don’t adore Elizabeth Bennett I scorn you on principle. But I do also love Emma very much because as a writer, I marvel at how beautifully put together it is. All the misunderstandings and how Emma’s machinations always fail and are plain wrong. Even though I’ve read it a hundred times, I am always still slightly surprised at how a brilliant woman like Emma can be so stupid! Also, Mr. Knightley! Would that we all have a Mr. Knightly in our lives.
I love Persuasion, and I’m thrilled so see a new modern adaptation!! Thanks for sharing this excerpt and for the generous giveaway!!
I’m going to go check out your first Austen modern adaptation right now!!
Warmly,
Susanne 🙂
Yay! I hope you like it, The P&P adaptation is free on amazon if you are a Prime member.
I am rereading Persuasion right now and I also find that I like it better as I have gotten older. It makes more sense to me and I understand the motivations more than when I was younger. i’d love to win to compare the updated telling.
Persuasion is a book for when you are older, I think. You understand that some things are immutable, that you can’t conquer “all.” That family and societal expectations can be overwhelming and, a little, how powerless many of us are. What I do love about this book is that, yes, Anne does ultimately marry the love of her life, but at a cost. But then that’s something else you understand as you grow older. There is no free lunch. But maybe an awesome dinner!
I totally love this modern Anne Elliott. I agree with what you say, Meredith. I like that she has the strength and determination to pursue what she wants instead of packing off to go overseas with Derrick. It’s too bad that she has a selfish father or else she would surely pursue her dreams.
Yes! It is how I would want a modern-day Anne Elliot to behave.