女主角安艾略特與溫特伍上校相戀後，一日溫特伍上校決定要對安艾略特求婚，然而，因家人看不起溫特伍上校，認為他配不上安艾略特，因此從中說服安艾略特必須要婉拒溫特伍上校的求婚。然而時隔八年後，兩人又再度相遇，此時的溫特伍不再是過去的泛泛之輩，而從海軍生涯退役後，搖身變得財力雄厚的有錢人，反觀安的家庭，因家中危機，安的父親華特艾略特爵士被迫出租祖宅而舉家搬至巴斯，然而危機不只一件，溫特伍上校似乎移情別戀，不再鍾情於安，安此時終於明白過去拒絕溫特伍上校，似乎是一件錯誤，然而一切似乎已成定局。《說服》一書為奧斯汀成書最晚的一部，但有部份評論家認為是奧斯汀最好的一部小說。



　　Macmillan Students’ Novels are intended for those reading major classic novels for the first time and in particular students taking first examinations. Each volume contains the complete text, together with an introduction, a section of plates and explanatory notes. Information on the author is provided, together with background to the novel and detailed comments on the plot, the language used and the literary qualities of the work. Each book has been carefully edited to suit the needs of students taking first examinations.




　　First published posthumously in 1817 Persuasion introduces us to Anne Elliot, the heroine of one of the most delightful of all English romances. Jane Austen in this autumnal novel is at her mature best in her vivid depiction of the life of the gentry both in the country and in Bath in the early nineteenth century. But the story is far more than just good entertainment. Through the romance of the central characters she makes a serious exploration of the values and attitudes of that time