Tuesday, May 31, 2011

First Chapter~First Paragraph (s) ~ Tuesday Intros


Every Tuesday, I'll be posting the opening paragraph (maybe two) of my current read.  This week's book:

(published in 1952)

" Hazel Motes sat at a forward angle on the green plush train seat, looking one minute at the window as if he might want to jump out of it, and the next down the isle at the end of the car.  The train was racing through tree tops that fell away at intervals and showed the sun standing, very red, on the edge of the farthest woods. Nearer, the plowed fields curved and faded and the few hogs nosing in the furrows looked like spotted stones. Mrs. Wally Bee Hitchcock, who was facing Motes in the section, said that she thought the early evening like this was the prettiest time of day and she asked him if he didn't think so too. She was a fat woman with pink collars and cuffs and pear-shaped legs that slanted off the train seat and didn't reach the floor. "

Would you give this book a try, based on the opening paragraph? The writing hooked me immediately.

If you care to join in, feel free to grab the image, and share your current book's first paragraph (s).
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25 comments:

  1. TracyMay 31, 2011 at 3:32 AM

    Think I'd have to know more about it, before deciding.

    And this is my current book:
    http://the-book-addict.blogspot.com/2011/05/tuesday-intros-jonathan-strange-mr.html

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  2. JessicaMay 31, 2011 at 5:22 AM

    I found Wise Blood a very interesting book and it made me want to read Flannery's short stories. It gets werid but overal I liked it.

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  3. AnachronistMay 31, 2011 at 5:34 AM

    I would never guess that a man might be named Hazel. So far I've known only girls with that first name. A slow beginning I would say.

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  4. Paulita May 31, 2011 at 6:16 AM

    Diane, I would give this one a try. Two things struck me: one, the guys name is Hazel? Two, I'm like the woman because my feet don't touch the floor either.

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  5. Paulita May 31, 2011 at 6:28 AM

    Diane, Okay. I gave it a shot. Here's my Tuesday Intro http://paulita-ponderings.blogspot.com/

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  6. Beth FMay 31, 2011 at 6:50 AM

    Not sure if it hooked me quite so thoroughly as it did you, but I'll be looking into this.

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  7. MishaMay 31, 2011 at 7:03 AM

    I would like to give the book a try based on the first paragraph. I have Wise Blood and other books by this author on my wishlist.

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  8. UnknownMay 31, 2011 at 7:19 AM

    This is my curret book: http://abigailannreading.blogspot.com/2011/05/tuesday-intros-one-of-our-thursdays-is.html

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  9. Brian's Home BlogMay 31, 2011 at 9:20 AM

    Me too, I'd need to know a little more about this one!

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  10. Nise' May 31, 2011 at 9:22 AM

    The first things that jumped out at me was all the color references.

    Mine is here.

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  11. JoAnnMay 31, 2011 at 9:28 AM

    Can I tell you how long I've been meaning to read Flannery O'Connor?

    My intro is another Richard Yates - surprise!
    http://lakesidemusing.blogspot.com/2011/05/tuesday-intro-cold-spring-harbor.html

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  12. ZibileeMay 31, 2011 at 9:36 AM

    Not sure I would read this one based on this paragraph, but will be interested to find out if you do and if you like it.

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  13. stepfordmomto2@yahoo.comMay 31, 2011 at 10:41 AM

    My Current Book:

    The Girl She Used To Be

    http://booksnwhatnot.blogspot.com/2011/05/first-chapter-first-paragraph-tuesday_31.html

    This one grabbed me right from th beginning

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  14. TrishMay 31, 2011 at 11:08 AM

    This could be good, I don't know . . . I'd have to keep reading. My book this week got off to a slow start too, but now I'm really enjoying it.

    http://desktopretreat.blogspot.com/2011/05/tuesday-intros-swan-thieves-by.html

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  15. pdbkwmMay 31, 2011 at 11:22 AM

    I think I would have to read a bit more to see if I liked it.

    You can find my current book here.

    ~ Popin

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  16. AnonymousMay 31, 2011 at 12:25 PM

    I don't know how it happened since I love Southern Fiction but I've never gotten around to reading Flannery O'Connor (yes, feel free to gasp now). This really makes me want to get off the stick and dig in.

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  17. DeniseinVAMay 31, 2011 at 12:54 PM

    If you were hooked then that's good enough for me. Great idea on sharing the first paragraph. I like the easy flow of the author's words.

    Thanks for your sweet comments on my flower blog. I think you'll find you'll be taking some amazing photos with your new camera, and I wish you many happy hours using it.

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  18. BarbaraMay 31, 2011 at 1:21 PM

    I like southern fiction too but for some reason have never read Flannery O'Connor. Something to add to my list, if only to find out why a man is named Hazel. My father's first name was Merle, which he despised, and he didn't have a middle name. He was always getting mail addressed to Ms. Merle _______!

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  19. IlianaMay 31, 2011 at 2:14 PM

    I think I would give it a try just because I want to see where they are going. Love train journeys so I'd like to see what the passengers are going to find at their next destination!

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  20. JennersMay 31, 2011 at 4:45 PM

    Not sure this would grab me but I love her descriptions and the names!! Oh the names are awesome!

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  21. CareMay 31, 2011 at 5:04 PM

    Is this for the Southern Lit Challenge? I will be trying my first Flannery read soon.

    To answer your question, YES! I would read on.

    (I think there was a male rabbit in Watership Down named Hazel.)

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  22. Melissa WiebeMay 31, 2011 at 7:56 PM

    Here is mine: http://jaynesbooks.blogspot.com/2011/05/first-chapter-first-paragaphs-tuesday_31.html

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  23. DCMetroreaderMay 31, 2011 at 8:24 PM

    Definitely (but I adore Flannery O'Connor)!

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  24. StaciMay 31, 2011 at 8:52 PM

    I would certainly read a bit more of this one...Hazel?? I expected that to be a woman!!

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  25. Michelle Stockard MillerJune 1, 2011 at 11:00 PM

    Sounds like an interesting book. I will be joining you again on this. Hopefully, next week. I need to start a new book!

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