Pride & Prejudice

Written by Jane Austen

Narrated by Joanna Lumley

Pride and Prejudice is a masterpiece of wit and perception, ridiculing the superficial manners of Jane Austen’s time. But it is more than just social satire. Notice, in particular, how the author’s close attention to detail makes the events and characters so true to life. Above all, enjoy the story – its sheer narrative force and humour – and enter a world of snobbery, romance and uncertainty, in which people behave casually, indifferently or even cruelly – in short just like people behave everywhere in the world today.

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Copyright Group
• Release date: Jan 1, 2014
• ISBN: 9781780001340

Jane Austen

Jane Austen (1775–1817) was an English novelist whose work centred on social commentary and realism. Her works of romantic fiction are set among the landed gentry, and she is one of the most widely read writers in English literature.

Reviews for Pride & Prejudice

[hopingforchange · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

It's no Pride and Prejudice, but it's good. I have a hard time connecting emotionally to Ann Elliot. I feel like she is a little less present in the text than, let's say, Elizabeth Bennett. She just lacks personality, and, somehow, Austen never lets us into the work. I don't know how else to explain it. The novel is guarded. And, while we get some social commentary, especially surrounding Charlotte and the Baronet, it is trite and obvious. We are missing the cutting remarks and lovely verbal play that distinguish so many of Austen's other works. The novel just leaves me wanting more.

[ees4 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

This was a tough read for me. I had a hard time relating to the characters - most of whom I found annoying. I also thought the plot was very predictable. I had to force myself to finish this book.

[orix_bluewave · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a love story.The background is like the story of Shakespia.One love was not attained.But in this story,no one die.The story is a little slow,but you can enjoy this book.

[sturlington_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Although also a romance like Austen’s better known novels, Emma and Pride and Prejudice, Persuasion is a subtle one, with a theme not of whirlwind passion but of constancy and devotion. The main character, Anne Elliott, was very much in love with Captain Wentworth as a young girl, but was persuaded by friends and family to reject him as a husband. Broken-hearted, Wentworth went to sea, and the novel actually begins when he re-enters Anne’s life eight years later, having made his career and his money.Anne is a character to whom the reader can easily relate: introspective, analyzing everything and flawed, able to make make mistakes and recover from them. She narrowly averts an unhappy life by not letting her friends and family persuade her again to marry her cousin, who has money and manners but turns out to be quite despicable. And while Captain Wentworth does not have the dash or charm of a Mr. Darcy, he is Anne’s one true love, as prone to the follies of a broken heart as she is subject to the strong influence of those around her.The underlying theme is about choices and following one’s heart. If Anne had only listened to her own feelings instead of allowing others to sway her, she would have found happiness sooner. Despite what seems like an afterthought of a speech at the end of the novel, when Anne justifies her earlier behavior, this seems to be a strongly feminist novel, advocating the rights of women to choose their own way in life and their own partners for life, rather than be guided solely by considerations of fortune and class.This is also one of Austen’s funnier novels, particularly the scenes featuring Anne’s sisters and father, who are incredibly self-absorbed. Their dialogue - constantly misreading the situation in their own favor or stating something when the opposite is true - brings a welcome lightheartedness to the story.

[ponsonby_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This elegaic book about love renewed after it was thought lost, has a wonderful autumnal quality, as well as Austen's elegant prose (how beautifully Sir Walter's vanity is described!) Intensely female in its sensibilities, with Anne's interior life illuminated so well. This is no Pride and Prejudice but a much quieter, more mature but just as compelling work. Austen struggled to get parts of it right, and succeeded.

[rebeccaann_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A typical Austen and I quite enjoyed it. This one focuses on Anne Elliot and her former flame Frederick Wentworth as they rekindle the love they once felt for each other. The maturity of the characters was a refreshing change from Austen's usual young heroine finding the love of her life. This isn't my favorite Austen, which will probably always be Emma (I just love the growth she experiences throughout the novel and the book as a whole was simply hilarious), but it was still a great read.I don't know what to say about this that hasn't been said before. The first half I felt was a bit slow but the pace picked up quickly in the second half. Louisa's injury and the scandal with Mr. Elliot and Mrs. Clay had me doing a double take (that just came out of nowhere) and every time Mary opened her mouth, I found myself mysteriously overcome with a severe case of the giggles. Overall, this book earns a high recommendation from me!

[dhelicious · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This story follows the romance between Anne Elliot and Frederick Wentworth. Happily engaged to be married but she was then later on influenced by a friend saying that Frederick was not a worthy candidate due to his social status. Now, eight years later, he returns as a naval captain. Although still in love with each other, the past mistakes threaten to keep them apart. Both characters were vividly described having compassion, humour, intelligence and understanding. I cannot believe this book actually made me cry, a romance story with undying love.

[donnab317 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Just wonderful! Witty, clever, and really suspenseful If I didn't know that Miss Austen's books always turn out well, I might have wondered.

[_________jt_________ · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The problem with Persuasion is that for a novel named Persuasion, it is not, at its heart, too concerned with persuasion. (Yeah, I know, Austen died before she could officially name the novel. Whatever. The word appears about five hundred times, and the title was always going to be Persuasion.) Here's the backstory: Anne Elliot is a bookish, milquetoasty middle child who screwed up her chance to get with hunky Freddy Wentworth, an up-and-coming sailor, eight years ago because of the interference of harridan Lady Russell, who told Anne that Wentworth was and would always be a loser. Now Anne has the pick of three hunky suitors: the aforementioned Wentworth, who against expectations has succeeded, now a captain with a chunk of change and a jones for his old sweetheart; William Elliot, a cousin who can make her the lady of her family house, which due to her father's financial profligacy is now being rented out; and Captain Benwick, a poor geek after Anne's own heart. What should happen now to best suit the implied themes of the novel? Anne ought to make her choice between these suitors without the help of outside agents, taking the decision into her own hands; whereas she was persuaded against her better judgment to ditch her beau, now she ought to choose freely, disregarding all meddling. Instead, here's what happens: Captain Benwick is taken off the market by some ditzy chick completely unsuited to him, an unlikely and abrupt match for which Austen makes a point of apologizing. Then Anne's old spinster friend (no, not Lady Russell, another old spinster friend) shit-talks William Elliot, persuading Anne to quit bothering with him. The only bachelor left is Captain Wentworth, who conveniently had the highest aggregate hunkiness/richness score all along. So what's wrong with that? Well, that Anne had every important choice made for her. Eight years ago, Anne let herself be directed by the actions and wishes of others in rejecting Wentworth, and she hardly shows more agency in the present day. After Benwick's spoken for, she must needs only between Elliot and Wentworth, a decision made too easy by Mrs. Smith's revelations about Elliot's subprime personality. In order to show personal growth, Anne needed to make a tough choice. She needed to choose Benwick. Now, although Benwick is the best suited to Anne's personality, he's the least hunky/rich (in Austen these two words are synonymous). Austen couldn't have her heroine choosing a life of relative privation, though; she needs her protagonist well set up by book's end. So she takes Benwick out of the rotation before things come to a head. The book's message ends up being: choose the rich guy you like the most. Though I disliked the way Persuasion turned out, it got there really nicely. I loved the note-writing between Wentworth and Anne, maybe because I related to it personally, having been a prolific note-writer in high school. And things ended decently, though not so satisfyingly as I think would have been if it had ended my way. Well, these are the complaints that make writers write; maybe I can sublimate my dissatisfaction with Austen's ending into some work of my own.

[kristysp · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Reading Jane Austen is like drinking a perfectly made cup of tea, late in the afternoon. Her prose is so smooth and comforting and perfectly elegant. I really enjoyed Persuasion, more than I expected to. Austen seemed to really explore the motivations and interactions of her characters. The breathless and romantic ending was delightfully swoony as well. :)

[jensay_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I think this is my favorite Austen. I know, I know, there are many who would argue for the Elizabeth/Darcy love story, but for me, Anne is the ultimate heroine. Her wildly eccentric father, the sisters who don't really care for her, and Captain Wentworth. Ahhh, Captain Wentworth. No matter how many times I read it I still feel so sorry for Anne--until she gets the letter. The letter to end all letters. If you haven't read it, do it. You will not regret it.

[cyberlibrariannyc · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Persuasion is my favorite book in the world. It's beautifully written and the characters all ring true. While the basic premise, a young girl being persuaded against marrying the man she loves, may be hard to understand today, anyone who has a grasp of 18th/19th century history will understand why Lady Russell did what she did. Anne is a wonderful heroine -- strong and resilient, yet quiet and restrained. Wentworth is a swoon-worthy hero, but he's far from perfect -- he's flawed enough to be "weak and resentful," but worthy (pun intended) to be good enough for Anne. It's just a beautiful, beautiful book and I love it more each time I read it.

[tadad_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

My second-favorite Austen so far after Pride and Prejudice.

[lizzybeans11 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

(Contains spoilers)Another classic tale by Jane Austen of love lost and found. Our leading lady, Anne, is again a slightly older unmarried woman. Anne's story is one of persuasions (obviously) gone awry and they must be remedied to make for a pleasant ending.The secondary characters left less of an impression on me than some of Austen's other background players. I found the resolution between Anne and her man, Captain Wentworth, to be very satisfying. Austen describes their restrained turmoil very well, it would have been nice to get more direct dialogue from them when they were making their resolutions instead of just paragraphs summing it up. But I always find Austen's last few pages to be lacking after having such a wonderful suspenseful build-up.

[nikkles_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A classic that is actually fun to read. Worth reading.

[beequiet · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Having enjoyed Mansfield Park about as much as eating grass, I will admit I had no great hope for enjoying Persuasion much more. Still, I was advised that many people who don't like the former still like her other books - how lucky I was that this was indeed the case. Persuasion being the last book that Austen wrote before her death, I found that her writing style seemed to have developed, her characters attaining a little more depth, moving away from the incredibly simplistic moral stances of those held by the characters of Mansfield Park to.Miss Anne Elliot is the ignored and undervalued middle daughter of the baronet Sir Walter Elliot. Sir Walter and his other daughters provide the most obvious caricature of nineteenth century upper class society, being vain, self-obsessed, status-obsessed and oblivious to those matters which should really affect the heart of one morally grounded. This morally grounded influence comes naturally enough in the form of Anne, who is torn between the influence of various characters throughout the book, whilst remaining a great deal more self-confident, mindful of her own opinions, and strongly minded than the dreadfully limp Fanny Price of Austen's former work. Of course the book would not be complete without its love interest (which of course I will not spoil) and I found this too a great deal more satisfying than that of Mansfield. Persuasion finds Austen a more mature writer, more capable of exploring the ideas of morality, status and love that she is so dearly attached to. Nowhere is this more starkly apparent than in a small section of conversation between the protagonist and another character, in which Anne makes plain the enormous influence of male authors of the time in dictating the accepted differences between the sexes. I was delighted by the natural feel of this section of conversation and mindful of Austen being before her time in making such clear observations.Unfortunately, in spite of me enjoying this book so much more than Mansfield Park, I did find eerie similarities between many of the characters. Austen seemed to have become fixated upon certain archetypal essences of character and simply lifted them from one story to one not entirely dissimilar. I will refrain from explaining further whom I thought could represent whom for fear of spoiling the plot for those yet to read. However I would suggest that Persuasion seemed to be a fresh attempt at a previous story as opposed to something entirely distinct, simply due to the incredible similarity of theme and character disposition. As mentioned before, the substantive differences were enough to allow me to thoroughly enjoy this book where I had not the former, yet unfortunately not enough to entirely repair my opinion of Austen.

[mchrzanowski_7 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

After watching Mansfield Park on DVD last night, I had the whim to read this novel. I have the movie on DVD (actually two versions) but oddly enough, had yet to read the book. I thought that it was quite lovely. Its not my favorite Austen novel (Mansfield Park is my favorite), but it is close. I think the story could take place today and it would have the same meaning. That is what is great about many of Austen’s novels. They have meaning for us in our lives today.

[ellajurisdoctor · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

My second favorite Jane Austen (even though most people put Sense and Sensibility or Emma second). Very underrated novel . . . Also highly recommended!

[princess0starr · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I have a soft spot for Persuasion. I think that it has the more epic and tragic romance, and I’m constantly rooting for Anne and Wentworth to get back together. It’s an interesting study of the class system, since now the heroine is from the upper class and it’s her love interest who’s low-class and struggles with that prejudice. Love this book.

[murphy4jacobs · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is my favorite Austen novel, the one I've read the most times, the one coming to me soon in an annotated version that I cannot wait to read, the one I turn to when bored or discontented or in need of comfort. Anne Elliot and Captain Wentworth have made many a sleepless night more pleasant.The plot, if not already well known, is certainly not unique. A young woman rejects marriage to a man she truly loves because she faces disapproval at home. Her most trusted guide and friend thinks that such a marriage is too chancy, too likely to lead to pain, sadness, deprivation. Anne accepts this and surrenders the man she loves. He, rejected and angry, goes into the world to disprove all the doubts about him. When they meet again, years later, Anne is still in love but worn down by time, disappointment, and the particular rigors of neglect and casual, subtle abuse by much of her family. He, now a Naval Captain of success and confidence, as well as fortune, comes into her circle again, only he is determined not to notice her and courts the affections of others while she looks on.Of course, the ending is a forgone conclusion, but even knowing that, while I read, I am caught up in Anne's autumnal world where all is slowly fading, where she has nothing but duty and service to others to sustain her hold to life, where poetry is a dangerous drug and those around her, swirling with their own emotions, are oblivious to the storms beneath her calm, patient exterior.Austen wrote this one late, perhaps last. It can be argued to be somewhat unfinished, lacking her revisions and corrections. However, it is a polished work, one written from a place of experience and knowledge. It depends on deeper things than some of the others. While it has humor, it does not lean on it. It does not require sparkling wit to keep it afloat, although it has a share of sparkle. No, like Anne, it has deeper, stronger, sturdier supports. This is a calm, subtle work, quieter, more nuanced, perhaps more difficult. It replaced in my regard the sparkly champagne of Pride & Prejudice, and while it recalled the poetry and strong emotion of Sense & Sensibility did not succumb to excess. Yes, there is some hint of the dour morality of Mansfield Park, but Anne is a woman who, considering the extremely tight confines and few narrow paths available to her, acts in her own interests as much as she can. She never frustrates me, never makes me want to shake her out of shyness or fear. Anne is mature, like this novel. She's someone I enjoy spending time with.A side note -- when I read the first of the Aubrey and Maturin novels by [[Patrick O'Brian]] I could not escape the notion that this was Captain Wentworth's story, or a story much similar to his. The books paired up in my head and seem unwilling to part from each other.(While chasing duplications, I found a review I wrote some time ago on a different edition. I preserve it here.)By far my favorite of Jane Austen's novels, this is the one I think I have read most often (probably 8 or 9 times by now, including one audio book version). It is Jane's most mature work, where her powers of storytelling really show.It is not a brilliantly witty book -- that's reserved for Pride & Prejudice, where Austen used wit and humor and wry observation. It's not a moral harangue like Mansfield Park. It's not a character study like Emma. It lacks the broad, sarcastic humor of Northanger Abbey or the strongly delineated comparisons of emotional raptures and reasonable restraint of Sense & Sensibility. Persuasion does not use a broad brush. It is a story painted in meticulous little strokes.That doesn't mean the humor isn't there -- oh, it's there, as fully sharp and dissecting of the foibles individuals and groups fall prey to as ever. But this time Austen is a little more forgiving, or at least understanding. The story of Anne Elliot also shows with greater subtlety and yet greater power the way characters -- people -- change due to their experience and what they learn from it. She practiced this in her earlier novels, but it is in Persuasion that she really perfects it. Anne Elliot changes before our eyes, smoothly and naturally, without any sudden jarring revelations or dramatic events. Things happen to those around Anne, but they do not directly involve her or require her to do much. Yet these events, peripheral as they are to the protagonist, give us chance after chance to learn about Anne and how she has changed and is still changing.I find pleasure in this book each time I read it. When I'm restless or bored and no other story can hold my interest, just like Anne's father, Mr. Elliot, this is one book where I can find comfort and solace.

[alera_6 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

As with all Jane Austen novels, this is a love story. It's a simple tale of a love that was allowed to slip away due to advice from sources outside the relationship and a pride that wouldn't allow either party to attempt to reconnect though their love never died. Thrown together once more, both attempt to pretend they've moved on, but find themselves filled with little jealousies, relying on the other in situations, and pulling away the moment the other takes a step forward, all while not noticing that the other is still madly in love with them as well. It takes a conversation about the differences in how long it takes for a man and woman to move on from losing the love of their life for both of them to realize that neither of them had ever moved on. It's a sweet tale that didn't call out to me as her others have and Anne lacked a bit of the fire I relished in Austen's other main characters, but still managed to tug at my heart strings and make me smile.

[readingaria · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

With as many times as I have tried to start this book and set it down before getting to page 3, I wasn't expecting to enjoy this book as much as I have enjoyed many of Jane Austen's other books. I was very mistaken, to say the least.Persuasion is the story of Anne Elliot, the middle and often ignored daughter of Sir Walter Elliot, and Captain Fredrick Wentworth. Eight years ago, Miss Elliot and Captain Wentworth met and fell in love. They were going to be married but because of objections from her family and friends, Anne was persuaded to break off the engagement. She is still single, at 27 years old, and at this point in her life, she meets him again.I would love to gush and tell you the whole story but then you might not read this book and you really should. As we all know, Austen is known throughout the world as a masterful story teller and she does beautifully here. The plot is rather small but Austen uses the novel to delve into the minds of her characters, or at least the thoughts of Anne, as the story is told principally from her point of view. This method allows the reader to understand how rediculous Anne's family is, especially her father, as seen in the first chapter:"Vanity was the beginning and the end of Sir Walter Elliot's character: vanity of person and of situation. He had been remarkably handsome in his youth; and, at fifty-four, was still a very fine man. Few women could think more of their personal appearance than he did; nor could the valet of any new made lord be more delighted with the place he held in society. He considered the blessing of beauty as inferior only to the blessing of a baronetcy; and the Sir Walter Elliot, who united these gifts, was the constant object of his warmest respect and devotion."From access to Anne's thoughts, the reader sees how poor Anne still cares for Captain Wentworth, who seems very bitter towards her, even eight years after she was forced to send him away. All of it is lovely; there is Austen's classic wit that makes us laugh as well as some beautiful passages and speeches of devotion that can make a poor girl's heart flutter (I can't help it! Books like this have made me a hopeless romantic!). While Persuasion does begin slowly and the first chapter or two can seem slow or uninteresting, keep going. It is worth it, truly!

[bostonbibliophile · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

My favorite Jane Austen novel- in my opinion the most romantic and the only one with anything approaching real passion. Anne and Frederick are a pair of mature, convincing lovers and although the structure remains as formulaic as anything in Austen's oeuvre, the characters keep you engaged and rooting for them all the way.

[benuathanasia · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book makes me feel like Ms. Austen was not happy with Pride and Prejudice and simply wanted to redo it. Either that, or she saw what made it great and just reused a lot of the same ideas. The plot of both stories:You have a well-to-do family that has only daughters. Because there are only daughters, the estate is going to go to an estranged cousin. There's talk of marriage between the cousin and the second oldest daughter, but it doesn't happen. Meanwhile, the third oldest daughter is the first to get married and gets a big head about it. The second oldest daughter has a pseudo-relationship with an emotionally distant man whose true feelings and motivations cannot be divined. Aside from the obvious recycling of old ideas, I didn't find the dialogue as interesting or the settings as vividly described as in P&P. I was very disappointed with this (from an Austen-standpoint. Compared to any other romance writer, overall it was still good).

[queencersei · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Jane Austin's most mature story. Anne Elliot finds unexpected love with an old flame.

[bookishjojo · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

hmm, now that i have finished this read, i am wondering if i like it more than pride and prejudice???late in the book there is this quote:"Minutiae which, even with every advantage of taste and delicacy which good Mrs. Musgrove could not give, could be properly interesting only to the principals."and when i read that line it made me think of the details in austen's writing and how, in fact, the minutiae present with her manner of storytelling sucks me right in every time. but...with persuasion i feel this is very much a novel of anne's restraint and resolve as much as it is a tale of different persuasions. so given anne's nature, though we aren't privy to her inner workings in great detail, i was seeing everything through her eyes and completely immersed in her world.i am so glad i had saved a few austens to read and so had this novel to be experienced for the first time. i now, of course, want to re-watch one of the bbc adaptations!!

[stouthearted_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

While "Pride and Prejudice" is my sentimental favorite, I prefer this novel for its mature writing and its powerful romanticism that refrains from being over-the-top. As Austen's last novel, the theme of regret and love lost and reclaimed seem especially bittersweet and beautiful. Our heroine Anne, is the black sheep of her family, which consists of a vain, spendthrift father and selfish sisters. Anne, on the other hand, is good, sensitive of the feelings of others, patient, and kind. Yet her good qualities made her quite impressionable as a young woman, and she allowed herself to be influenced by a close family friend to give up her true love, Wentworth, because he was not a person of consequence. It is a decision she regrets, but she believes too late to fix... until her love returns as Captain Wentworth: rich, with some power, and seriously bitter about being dumped years earlier.The novel follows Anne as she endeavors to maintain her composure throughout Wentworth's return, watching him flirt with her sisters-in-law, believing him completely over her. She could not be farther from the truth, and Wentworth's last-ditch effort to ascertain Anne's feelings is a romantic scene that will have you saying "Darcy who?" Indeed, Wentworth's outburst of feeling is the most aggressively romantic effort that any of Austen's heros have made; few exposed their feelings in such a sentimental manner as Wentworth.The novel is also perhaps Austen's shortest, making it ideal for those not devoted to longer texts. Austen's wit is sharp as ever in this her last novel, rendering it a shame that she could not have blessed readers with more works; we can at least be consoled that she passed at the top of her game.

[lauralkeet · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I often find it difficult to review great classic literature -- what can I say that hasn't already been said? And so it is with Persuasion, one of Jane Austen's later works. This novel tells the story of Anne Elliot, an unmarried woman in her late 20s. Several years before, she was persuaded to break off a relationship with Captain Wentworth, and they went their separate ways. She now plays second fiddle to her sisters: Elizabeth, the eldest, has assumed the "lady of the house" role opposite their widowed father. Mary, the youngest, is happily married with young children. Anne moves between both worlds -- navigating the simple country pleasures of Mary's life, and tolerating her father's insufferable vanity and social climbing. Although it seems Anne is often taken advantage of, Austen makes it clear that she is the stronger character in all of her relationships.The story progresses, in typical Austen fashion, on a course that eventually brings Captain Wentworth back into Anne's life. Yet the couple are constrained by the conventions of the day, which make it nearly impossible for two people to express feelings to one another. Much time is spent watching, and second-guessing, the actions and motives of others. How frustrating this must have been! Austen is masterful in describing the tiny movements and expressions that carry so much meaning. As Anne and the Captain slowly dance around each other, Austen uses Anne's family to serve up some delightful satire of society and vanity. To date I have read all but one of Austen's six published novels, and consider Persuasion my favorite.

[emanate28 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A gem. This and P&P are my two favorite novels of all time. Austen's quiet but sharp wit is simply delectable, and the older I get, the more I come to appreciate the intricacies of human relationships in the tale. And, as usual, the hero is to die for!

[iammbb · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Once again, true love triumphs over adversity.It's difficult for me to be objective about Austen. I struggle to filter my reactions to her unfamiliar language, her unfamiliar time and class based society, and my aversion to Harlequin romance type sagas. All of that poses obstacles to my unfettered enjoyment of her prose.On an intellectual level, the eighteenth century English preoccupation with class and breeding that is so central to Austen's tales captures my interest even while it engenders a certain amount of disdain.And yet, on an emotional level, I can't help myself. I like her happy endings, her accounts of triumphal love.So, I'm off to read yet another . . .