Tuesday, February 7, 2012

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros


Every Tuesday, I'll be posting the opening paragraph (sometimes two) of a book I decided to read based on the opening paragraph (s). Feel free to grab the banner and play along.  This week's selection is a NYRB  (New York Review Book) - I just love the uniform look of this imprint.

NYRB - New York Review Book Classic

"RALPH WAS TEN AND MOLLY WAS EIGHT WHEN THEY HAD scarlet fever.  It left them with some sort of glandular disorder which was not malignant, but which kept them half poisoned most of the time and caused them, frequently, to have such bad nosebleeds that they had to be sent home from school.  It nearly always happened that their nosebleeds came at the same time.  Ralph, bleeding profusely, would stumble into the corridor to find Molly coming out of the third-grade room, a handkerchief held in a sodden bunch at her nose.  Their mother could not bear the sight of blood and her distress, on seeing them straggle up the driveway, never lessened even when these midday homecomings had become a habit.  Each time, she implored them to telephone her so she could send Miguel, the foreman, in the car.  But they never did, for they liked the walk home, feeling all the way a pleasant superiority to their sisters, Leah and Rachel, who were still cooped up in school with nothing to do but chew paraffin on the sly."

Has anyone read this one? If not, would you continue reading?
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21 comments:

  1. MysticaFebruary 7, 2012 at 6:11 AM

    Sounds strange!

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  2. JoAnnFebruary 7, 2012 at 8:04 AM

    Very unusual opening! I'd keep reading though, the NYRB classics are almost always winners.
    My Intro:
    http://lakesidemusing.blogspot.com/2012/02/tuesday-intros-celebrating-dickens.html

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  3. Paulita February 7, 2012 at 8:06 AM

    This opening made me laugh. One of my sons had scarlet fever, which is just a strain of strep throat, and he does get frequent nose bleeds. I could see how kids would prefer the nose bleeds to school. I'd keep reading. Here's Mine

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  4. JaneGSFebruary 7, 2012 at 8:33 AM

    I most definitely would! Seems like there's lots of possibilities for where the story could go, based on that first paragraph--sibling relationships, absent mother issues, the foreman, the Biblically named older sisters...

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  5. Laurel-Rain SnowFebruary 7, 2012 at 9:26 AM

    Oh, I would keep reading! Whenever a book starts with "defining" childhood moments, I know that something major will be happening ahead. Love it!

    Thanks for sharing.

    Here's MY TEASER TUESDAY POST

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  6. ZibileeFebruary 7, 2012 at 9:36 AM

    Oh yes, I would keep reading this one! There is so much detail in that paragraph, and I would love to see where it goes! Great intro paragraph today!

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  7. HarveeFebruary 7, 2012 at 10:10 AM

    I would continue reading to find out what happens when they grow up and how the Mountain Lion title fits the book!

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  8. BarbaraFebruary 7, 2012 at 10:37 AM

    Yup - this sounds like it's full of interesting characters. And I can relate to the nosebleeds. :)

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  9. stepfordmomto2@yahoo.comFebruary 7, 2012 at 11:09 AM

    Not sure about this book, might take a bit more for me.

    This week I am reading Serpents Trail by Sue Henry
    http://booksnwhatnot.blogspot.com/2012/02/first-chapter-first-paragraph-serpents.html

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  10. Felicity Grace TerryFebruary 7, 2012 at 12:08 PM

    Not too sure this is one for me, this first paragraph just didn't grab me at all I'm afraid.

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  11. kayerjFebruary 7, 2012 at 12:28 PM

    I haven't read it but it sounds interesting--I think there is probably more to those nose bleeds than scarlet fever. I'm reading "Midnight in Austenland" by Shannon Hale this week. kaye—the road goes ever ever on

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  12. SukoFebruary 7, 2012 at 12:34 PM

    This sounds really good--synchronized nosebleeds! I love the bit about walking home from school.

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  13. DCMetroreaderFebruary 7, 2012 at 12:45 PM

    Definately different! Is it a period piece?

    To answer your question I would keep reading as I like quirky reads.

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  14. Nise' February 7, 2012 at 1:16 PM

    I would keep on reading!!

    Mine is here.

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  15. Brian's Home BlogFebruary 7, 2012 at 1:18 PM

    I don't think I would read that one, nothing caught my attention.

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  16. CatFebruary 7, 2012 at 2:12 PM

    I read it last year and loved it! Hope you will too.

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  17. hopechaserFebruary 7, 2012 at 6:18 PM

    I'm liking the start; sets a nice tone.

    Let It Read

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  18. JennersFebruary 7, 2012 at 8:01 PM

    Hmmmm… I think I would actually pss on this one.

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  19. StaciFebruary 7, 2012 at 8:33 PM

    Hmmmmm...this one has me on the fence. Not sure if I would continue on or not.

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  20. DebbieFebruary 7, 2012 at 11:42 PM

    I would read it. It's interesting reading the comments and what speaks to some people and what doesn't. It sounded like a good quick, fun read.
    here is mine:
    http://thefridayfriends.blogspot.com/2012/02/first-chapter-first-paragraph-tuesday.html

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  21. DarleneFebruary 9, 2012 at 5:23 PM

    I've never heard of this book but based on that paragraph I would keep reading for sure.

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