If you enjoyed Persuasion...
Evelina by Frances Burney
(1778)
The most famous book by the woman who almost literally paved the way for Austen. Just as Austen did 30 years later, Evelina gives readers a glimpse into London society with a shrewd and critical viewpoint. Evelina tells the tale of a young girl and her emergence into London society in the late 18th century.
North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell
(1855)
With similar class tensions between the heroine and the object of her affection, Gaskell manages to create both a compelling love story and an accurate description of the Industrial Revolution in England.
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
(1847)
Some diehard fans claim you cannot love both Austen and the Brontë sisters, but with a narrator whose morals are just as high and whose brain is just as smart, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë is a great read for those looking for a character like Anne Elliot. The story follows Jane from childhood into adulthood as her tumultuous relationship with Mr. Rochester unfolds.
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
(1868-1869)
While the March family may be more functional and humble than the Elliots, it is still interesting to see how they interact with each other. Fans of Persuasion will recognize the wartime tones and the March girls' desire for a husband who loves and respects them.
Captain Wentworth's Diary by Amanda Grange
(2007)
Told from the perspective of Captain Wentworth, this new addition to the story of Persuasion gives readers a chance to understand his side of the romance.
The Secret History of the Pink Carnation by Lauren Willig
(2005)
For readers who want to know more about the Napoleonic Wars, but want to keep the romance, the Pink Carnation series is suggested. Following both a modern day and 19th century plot line, the reader follow two women on their quests for knowledge.
Jane Austen in Scarsdale: or Love, Death, and the SAT by Paula Cohen
(2006)
In this modern day retelling of Persuasion, Anne is an unmarried high school guidance counselor and Captain Wentworth is Ben Cutler, a writer, traveler, and adventurer who happens to be engaged. With all the wit of Austen, but set in today's world, the reader has a chance to see their favorite characters in a new setting.