LOTR Read-Along: Foreword & Prologue (Concerning Hobbits, Pipe-weed & The Finding of the Ring)

Our long-awaited read-along has arrived. (Yay!) I'm so glad each one of you is here and welcome!

I've been giving some thought to the pace and how often I'll post -- trying to balance between keeping things moving along and also a manageable speed so hopefully everyone can keep up and we don't lose anyone along the way (also leaving breathing space for periodic catch up sessions, etc). And of course, making allowance for Life and all of us possibly reading other books at the same time. 

At the moment I'm thinking of doing two chapters a week, hopefully posted on Mondays and Fridays (maybe an occasional Tues/Th), so you can have the week and then the weekend to read them and comment etc. (And as we go along definitely feel free to let me know how the pacing's working on your end.)

For each chapter I'll write up any short thoughts I have + any favorite quotes and possibly a thought question or two, then you can comment in response to those or with any of your own thoughts, questions, or explanations. And I know this may be slightly different than general blog etiquette (and I can't remember what I did before with Persuasion), but what do you all think of an open forum style in the comments, where anyone can reply to anyone else's comments? (Of course, keeping everything very courteous and civil -- I'll still be presiding moderator. ;P) I feel like it could open it up to some good discussion. What think ye all?

Again, audio books are absolutely allowed (that's mostly how I'll be doing it ;)), so whatever works out best for you. Along with that, I also have a couple print editions and when actually working on posts will probably end up going back and forth between them so may or may not post page numbers with any quotes. 

Also, I'm trying to keep it fresh and just to the chapter we're reading, but I may get carried away with a connection from later in the story somewhere (and the comments section may very well go on rabbit trails anywhere), but due to the ubiquity of the movies etc. I am assuming most people have a nodding acquaintance with the story as a whole, so I won't be giving spoiler alerts. Let me know if that's an issue for any one. 

Whew! Ok, I think that's it for the general details. Let's begin!

Reading the foreword and prologue aren't required to participate (they're a bit slower reading than the book itself), but they are charming and you may find them of interest and/or helpful. Some names and historical details are illuminating to piece together, and if you're not familiar with The Hobbit, the prologue here gives a tidy summary of those events. I don't usually read forewords, but (as well as being history itself now) this one is valuable I think in capturing some of Tolkien's creative process and what he was getting at (i.e. a few things to keep in mind as we proceed through the story).

Quotes:

• I do like this section from the foreword: "...in that time I changed my house, my chair, and my college, and the days though less dark were no less laborious. Then when the 'end' had at last been reached the whole story had to be revised, and indeed largely re-written backwards. And it had to be typed, and re-typed: by me; the cost of professional typing by the ten-fingered was beyond my means."

• I also like how he speaks of "plodding on" etc. during the creative process. As a writer, it's encouraging to know even for Tolkien it wasn't all glamorous and the plot wasn't all spelled out from the beginning.

• From the prologue: "Hobbits are an unobtrusive but very ancient people, more numerous formerly than they are today; for they love peace and quiet and good tilled earth... in the days of Bilbo, and of Frodo his heir, they suddenly became, by no wish of their own, both important and renowned, and troubled the counsels of the Wise and the Great."
  

For thought:

• Do you consider forewords and prologues to be indispensable or do you hurry over them as fast as possible to get into the story proper?

And I talked about pacing above, but since this is our intro post, I may very well put up the first chapter tomorrow or Wednesday, so let me know your thoughts on that. :) 

(Last but not least, we're going on an adventure together, y'all! Hip hip hurray!)

Read The Lord of the Rings with me!

Hi y'all! *heartily waving in case anyone is still out there and noticing what happens in this sleepy little corner of the internet*

I'm waking everything up over here and... what do you think of the current look? Does it make you eager to read Tolkien?

I wanted to reread it myself -- not overthinking the whole thing (which is my default tendency), but just jumping in to read it afresh and expecting surprises. That being so, I thought it'd be warm and hospitable and pleasant to open it up for anyone else who'd like to do the same. What say you?

So. Read LOTR twenty times? You're welcome. Never read it before? Welcome and hop on the ride!

The whole idea is to keep everything very relaxed, fun, and enjoyable -- and Very Manageable. I'll write up short thoughts, highlight some favorite lines from each chapter, and possibly a thought question or two if any good ones occur to me, and you can pitch in with your thoughts etc -- 'iffen you feel so inclined.

I won't be stating page numbers, so feel free to read from any edition you like. The only specification is that it must be unabridged (are there even abridged editions?). I feel funny even saying that, but there must be, so we'll just throw that out there. Unabridged.

ALSO, and I feel very much like a fish out of water saying this, but I'm trying to take the advice of Sarah Mackenzie from Read Aloud Revival and she says listening on audio ABSOLUTELY COUNTS. In fact, with LOTR I think it actually works rather spectacularly well, as the whole thing's meant to be a bard recounted type legend anyway. As a for instance, I was nervous committing to the whole idea of hosting a read-along (much as I wanted to) because I wasn't sure I could keep it going steadily, but listening on audio has revolutionized everything. So far it's making it WAY easier to fit into The Rest of Life -- and what's more, it's making it fun again. (So no guilt trip here! ;))

Final details: I only put it on one button (as I'd already made the others before thinking of it and then thought they were too pretty to mess up :P) but the plan is to start Sept 28th. Spread the word and I'd love to hear if you'd like to join in!

Farewell till the 28th of next month! :) (But feel free to leave any questions or comments, I'll get them -- and be sure to grab a button. Thank you!)

Good Story Link-up and Giveaway!

First, if you’re one of those entirely splendid people who follow all three of my blogs (and will consequently be getting this not once…not twice…but thrice on your dashboard!), be forewarned. :) I know some of you (also entirely splendid) story loving folks have happened to discover and/or follow one or other of my blogs—and I wanted to be sure the word was thoroughly out. ;) Thank you all for your patience!

And now to our news! I’ve recently started a monthly link-up, Inkling Explorations, for any and ALL story lovers! As part of the grand launch, I’m also hosting a giveaway and you can follow the link here for full details.

I hope all is well and can't wait to see you over there!

Persuasion Wrap-Up & Giveaway Winners!

Thank you again to everyone for all your enthusiastic participation!!! :) Following are all our wrap-up details.

Additional Persuasion posts/links:

(And I know a few more of you posted as well so, if you did and would like your link up, leave it here in a comment and I’ll add it!)

Hamlette's character sketch of Anne Elliot on Literary Adventures

Hamlette’s post on Persuasion at The Edge of the Precipice

Heidi's post on Wentworth and Anne on Literary Adventures

Susanna’s Review of Persuasion at The Misadventures of a Globetrotter in Training

And thank you to everyone who entered the give-away! Our two winners are:

Robert for Miniatures and Morals

Susanna for the printable collection of Jane Austen silhouettes

Congratulations! (I'll be contacting the two winners directly. Also, I need to hear back from you by Saturday, March 14th, or I will need to draw another winner. :))

With other things I have going on the writing front, it may be a while before I host another read-along here, but when I do I’d be delighted to have you all along! Meanwhile, if you run across the blog here and would like to read through Persuasion (as I know some of you might already like to! ;)) feel free to leave your thoughts on the chapters as you go along. I’m always available for comments and would love to discuss it with you anytime! :)

And (also in the meantime) if you’d like to visit more, do see come see me at: 

My author blog

or my “everything else” place: Along the Brandywine!

I'd love to have you!

Here are links to all of our Persuasion chapters:

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24

Thanks again so much for joining me! Till our next read-along!

On Wentworth & Anne

Persuasion, Austen’s most mature story, is full of openness and yet subtlety; beginning also in an unlikely place—where most Austen novels end—with an engagement (though broken) and a mature heroine.

It has been pointed out that Anne Elliot is Austen’s most practically perfect heroine. She hardly ever misreads a person or situation, acting throughout with a “steadiness of principle” and “the resolution of a collected mind.”

She can be puzzling sometimes, for readers trying to figure out character development and the lessons she’s learned by the end. Interestingly, I think this is because hers is actually a flat character arc. As above mentioned, a lot of her personal character development has crystallized before the story proper begins. (This isn’t to say she doesn’t learn things or develop over the course of the story), but much of the shift and change in Persuasion happens around her and within other people coming into contact with her.

Like a jewel—sitting in the dark before being turned brilliantly to the light—Anne Elliot can seem at first glance merely quiet and unobtrusive, but by the end her steadfast strength, integrity, gentleness, loyalty, and love shines out radiantly. A trustworthy confidante and counselor, she is thoroughly worthy of a friend’s full confidence and of a strong man’s love.

Captain Wentworth is one of my favorite heroes. Flawed yet overcoming his flaws, turning away from his bitterness and anger and resentment, he is a true man and a worthy hero. Though passionate in love as in war, he isn’t obsessive. His love—with its depth and humor and energetic activity—opens up Anne’s world, opening it to further friendships as well, as he feeds and cares for her physically, intellectually, and emotionally. 

Persuasion is full to the brim from the start (from before the start!) with indirections and misunderstandings—with all the hurt and awkwardness and aching silence of the things that cannot be said. Accordingly, in its climactic ending scene Peter Leithart says (in his book Miniatures and Morals) that Austen, “concocted a scene that is one of the most famous in English literature, and which more precisely represents the tensions and difficulties and indirections of love than virtually any scene in literature.” 

Throughout the book, Anne understands Wentworth—listening to him and reading his comments, his gestures, his glances. Now she speaks and it is Wentworth listening. “Anne has gained her voice, gained a hearer, communicated with her lover in the only way she can—by speaking to him through a third party.” (Leithart)

Anne and Harville’s entire debate at the White Hart is magnificent. Harville says at one point: “All histories are against you—all stories, prose and verse… Songs and proverbs all talk of woman’s fickleness. But perhaps, you will say, they were all written by men.” Anne (almost immediately) counters by saying, “Men have had every advantage of us in telling their own story. Education has been theirs in so much higher a degree; the pen has been in their hands. I will not allow books to prove anything.” 

Leithart here again points out that, “Between these two portions of the debate, Harville and Anne are interrupted by a sound from Wentworth’s writing desk—the sound of a pen falling from his hand! In this story, at least, the pen has been wrested from the hand of a man, and the woman’s constancy has been as superlative as any man’s.” 

He goes on to say: “Anne’s rejection of male writing on women’s inconstancy is said in jest, but it fixes attention on an important theme in Persuasion. The book, after all, is mainly about the indomitable, unchangeable, eternal love of a woman for a man. …Anne is fully persuaded from beginning to end that Wentworth is the man, the only man, she could love. She perfectly exemplifies the ‘privilege’ she claims for her own sex—‘that of loving longest, when existence or when hope is gone.’ Love that endures when hope is past—this is love by faith, by sheer endurance, by persuasion of things not seen. Wentworth takes up his pen again, and when he does it is to record his constancy in love for Anne. 

“Wentworth is a sea captain; he is no landed gentleman… Anne is his shore, the shore that he finally finds, the only shore he needs or wants. Like every shore, she was there all the time, constant, awaiting his return. Organized by real merit and self-sacrifice rather than vanity and pride, the naval community is the wave of England’s future. And with it comes the possibility of recognizing, against the pens of men, the persistence of a woman’s love.”

Truly beautiful!

"Persuasion" Giveaway!

And now for our splendid celebratory giveaway! Each winner is eligible for one prize and the two winners will be drawn on Friday the 6th. (And note: if you've been participating in the read-along, but aren't quite finished, do still feel free to enter! :))

And now for our grand prizes!

1 - Ashley (of Printable Wisdom Design) has most generously

offered her ENTIRE printable silhouette collection to one happy winner!

(Click here to see all five pictures: Jane Austen Silhouette Collection)

and

2 - Yours truly is contributing a paperback copy of one of the best books ever written on Jane Austen! :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Also, if you've written anything up for Persuasion on your own blog during the read-along leave your link/s here in a comment and I'll post them in our final link-up at the end of the week! 

~ Do have fun everyone and thanks so much for participating! ~

Persuasion Read-Along: Chapter 24

We finished!!! On the 28th of February!!!!!

And first, thank you all so much for enthusiastically joining in here and making it all such a thoroughly splendid success!! :) (As a note, don’t worry if you’re still finishing up… There’s no rush. Feel free to read and comment whenever you can! ;))

~ ~ ~

In this chapter Austen wraps everything up so wonderfully. Realistically (without happy tidiness in every direction), but with resolution and a good amount of cheerful spirit spread into the corners—and with deep happiness for the people we love most. 

(Oh, my…. I do love Persuasion so much! But I mentioned something about that in my last post, didn’t I? ;))

Next week there will be a celebratory giveaway and I’m also hoping to do a post on Wentworth and Anne—so keep visiting! 

Favorite lines/quotes:

“Sir Walter, indeed, though he had no affection for Anne, and no vanity flattered, to make him really happy on the occasion, was very far from thinking it a bad match for her. On the contrary, when he saw more of Captain Wentworth, saw him repeatedly by daylight, and eyed him well, he was very much struck by his personal claims, and felt that his superiority of appearance might be not unfairly balanced against her superiority of rank; and all this, assisted by his well-sounding name, enabled Sir Walter at last to prepare his pen, with a very good grace, for the insertion of the marriage in the volume of honour.” pg. 244

“There is a quickness of perception in some, a nicety in the discernment of character, a natural penetration, in short, which no experience in others can equal, and Lady Russell had been less gifted in this part of understanding than her young friend. But she was a very good woman, and if her second object was to be sensible and well-judging, her first was to see Anne happy. She loved Anne better than she loved her own abilities; and when the awkwardness of the beginning was over, found little hardship in attaching herself as a mother to the man who was securing the happiness of her other child.

“Of all the family, Mary was probably the one most immediately gratified by the circumstance. It was creditable to have a sister married, and she might flatter herself with having been greatly instrumental to the connexion, by keeping Anne with her in the autumn…” pg. 245

“Anne, satisfied at a very early period of Lady Russell's meaning to love Captain Wentworth as she ought, had no other alloy to the happiness of her prospects than what arose from the consciousness of having no relations to bestow on him which a man of sense could value. There she felt her own inferiority very keenly. The disproportion in their fortune was nothing; it did not give her a moment's regret; but to have no family to receive and estimate him properly, nothing of respectability, of harmony, of good will to offer in return for all the worth and all the prompt welcome which met her in his brothers and sisters, was a source of as lively pain as her mind could well be sensible of under circumstances of otherwise strong felicity.” pg. 247

“Captain Wentworth, by putting her (Mrs. Smith) in the way of recovering her husband's property in the West Indies, by writing for her, acting for her, and seeing her through all the petty difficulties of the case with the activity and exertion of a fearless man and a determined friend, fully requited the services which she had rendered, or ever meant to render, to his wife.” pg. 247

“She (Mrs. Smith) might have been absolutely rich and perfectly healthy, and yet be happy. Her spring of felicity was in the glow of her spirits, as her friend Anne's was in the warmth of her heart. Anne was tenderness itself, and she had the full worth of it in Captain Wentworth's affection.” – pg. 248

Possible discussion question/s:

~ What do you think of the final revelation of Mr. Elliot and Mrs. Clay’s characters?

~ Do you think everyone and everything is well resolved?

~ Have you enjoyed Persuasion?