Tuesday, March 20, 2012

First Chapter, First Paragraph Tuesday Intros


Every Tuesday, I'll be posting the opening paragraph (sometimes maybe a few) 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 actually a free Kindle download, called The Bent Twig, by Dorothy Canfield. This book was first published in 1915.




" Like most happy childhoods, Sylvia's happy years lay back of her in a long, cheerful procession of featureless days, the outlines of which were blurred into one shimmering glow by the very radiance of their sunshine.  Here and there she remembered patches, sensations, pictures, scents:  Mother holding baby sister up for her to kiss, and the fragrance of the baby powder -- the pine trees near the house chanting loudly in the autumn wind -- her father's alert face, intent on the toy water-wheel he was setting for her in the little creek in their field -- the beautiful sheen of the pink silk dress Aunt Victoria had sent her -- the look of her mother's steady, grave eyes when she was so sick -- the leathery smell of the books in the University Library one day when she followed her father there -- the sound of the rain pattering on the low, slanting roof of her bedroom -- these were the occasional clearly outlined, bright-colored illuminations wrought on the burnished gold of her sunny little life.  But from her seventh birthday her memories began to have perspective, continuity.  She remembered an occasional whole scene, s whole afternoon, just as it happened."


Here's a bit of an overview of this novel in case you are interested.


Would you read this one?  I plan to, just not right now. I downloaded it for free at Amazon for my Kindle.

18 comments:

  1. I'm like you--I pick up free books and I'm finding it may be years before I get to it or maybe never. I'd probably read a little into it and see if I like it. kaye—the road goes ever ever on

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  2. How nice to get it for free!!! enjoy it sounds wonderful

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  3. I would keep on reading...love those free books!

    Here's mine:http://lifeinthethumb.blogspot.com/2012/03/first-chapter-first-paragraph-tuesday_20.html

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  4. I like the descriptions of how life looks when you glance back on it. It sounds like it's going to be sad....

    Yes, I'd want to know more....

    Here's MY TUESDAY MEMES POST

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  5. I'm not sure. I might delve a little more into it. Here's Mine

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  6. I loved Dorothy Canfield's The Homemaker, and I like this opening, so I'd definitely continue! Here's my Tuesday Intro:
    http://lakesidemusing.blogspot.com/2012/03/tuesday-intro-visit-from-goon-squad.html

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  7. I would totally read this one, and as a matter of fact, after reading your little teaser paragraph, I went and downloaded the book as well! Great intro today! This is one that I need to check out!

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  8. I would keep reading too. It sounds good to me. Here's Mine

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  9. Yes, based on that first paragraph it is a keeper!

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  10. That weas a great opening paragraph hitting on all the senses. I'd keep going. I want to know what that big scene is she's remembering.

    My first paragraph is here: Joyfully Retired

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  11. I don't know, this comes across as a little too sad for me.

    This week I am reading Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain.

    http://booksnwhatnot.blogspot.com/2012/03/first-chapter-first-paragraph-quiet.html

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  12. I am off to check and see if it is still free ;o)

    Mine is here.

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  13. Diane, this opening paragraph is so intriguing, and the book cover with the author's photo just captures my curiosity. Is she the one related to the Montessori method? I think I'd like to read it some day. Thanks for posting. Also, hope to chat with you on Twitter! ;)

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    1. Arti, not sure whether this one is behind the Montessori method. I actually have not looked into that, and haven't started this book yet.

      Thanks for the warm Twitter Welcome -- I am just learning:)

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  14. Hmmm…not sure I would continue on but free is always good!!!

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