Persuasion and Prayers Read-Along: Day 9

Welcome to Day 9 of the Persuasion and Prayers Read-Along! You can follow along on this three-week discussion of Persuasion and The Prayers of Jane Austen by checking out the read-along tag or by clicking the button in the sidebar.

Today we're going to discuss chapters 15 and 16 of Persuasion. If you came prepared, go ahead and share your thoughts below! Otherwise, feel free to check in later today after you've had a chance to read today's chapters. Can't wait to hear your thoughts!

P.S. If you're a blogger, please feel free to put together your own post using the button above and linking back to the Persuasion and Prayers Read-Along tag, if you'd prefer to participate in the discussion that way. :)

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Persuasion Chapters 15 and 16
Discussion Format: One quote to ponder, one observation, and one question for each day's reading.
Quote to Ponder

"My idea of good company, Mr. Elliot, is the company of clever, well-informed people, who have a great deal of conversation; that is what I call good company."

"You are mistaken," said he gently, "that is not good company; that is the best."

(Side note: If that doesn't describe our #BookBesties / #InspiredByAusten group on Twitter, then I don't know what does!)

Observation

These two chapters show some interesting developments on the Mr. Elliot front... The man is a mystery!

As Anne points out, "She had the sensation of there being something more than immediately appeared."

I almost kind of hoped Mr. Elliot was keen on visiting the family because he knew Anne would eventually come. (Silly me - they never even spoke when they first me, so how was he supposed to know who she was?) But since that wasn't his aim...now I'm definitely suspicious. And I'm proud of Anne for being on her guard while still appreciating his friendship and attention!

I will certainly say this for Mr. Elliot: Regardless of his reasons for being there, I'm happy for Anne's sake that she has someone (besides Lady Russell, to a degree) to reach out to her and admire her while in Bath. Her family's selfishness is both sad and aggravating.

But with all this talk of Mr. Elliot, this little line must not be overlooked: "[Mr. Elliot] gave her to understand that he had looked at her with some earnestness. She knew it well; and she remembered another person's look also" (emphasis added).

Question

If you were in Anne's place, how would you get along in Bath?

(How would you handle the rudeness and peculiarities of your family? In what ways would you try to amuse yourself? Would you trust Mr. Elliot and seek to continue your acquaintance with him?)

Giveaway!

Don't forget to log your giveaway entries this week using the Rafflecopter form below for a chance to win a hardcover copy of The Prayers of Jane Austen !

(Giveaway open to US residents only. Prize donated by the book's editor, Terry Glaspey. Thanks, Terry!)

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Which quote to ponder, observation, and question/response would you like to share?

Join us tomorrow for a special discussion of one of Jane Austen's prayers! (If you'd like to read along, we'll be chatting about Part II of The Prayers of Jane Austen.)