Cambridge; Susanna Kaysen
Knopf - March 2014
AWAY
"It was probably because I was so often taken away from Cambridge when I was young that I loved it as much as I did. I fell in love with the it, the way you fall in love with a person, and suffered during the many separations I endured.
In the summer before our October departure for England, the screen door to the backyard broke and had to be replaced. The new door had a hydraulic canister that hissed when it opened or closed instead of smacking, thump, thump, the way the old door had. I didn't like this. Neither did my cat Pinch. Cats and children are conservative. Pinch would use the new door to go out of the house, but she refused to come in through it, and she'd sit by the front door waiting for someone to notice that she'd decided it was time to come home. After three weeks in England, I felt the same way: Okay, let's go home now. It's time to go home. But my parents, looking out their new, hydraulic door to England, didn't notice me, and, like Pinch, I had to sit there hoping and hoping."
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What do you think? Would you keep reading? Feel free to join us by linking your First Chapter post below. 
Great opening lines...I enjoyed this book. Hope you do, too.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful writing, I love the name of the cat: Pinch. I've been to Cambridge/England many years ago. yes, I would continue reading.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully written. I like how the mention of the hydraulic door took me right to that place. I understood how the child and the cat felt about it. I'd like to keep reading.
ReplyDeleteI'd read on. Cambridge sounds fascinating.
ReplyDeleteI really loved the opening so, yes, I'd keep going.
ReplyDeleteA definite yes from me.
ReplyDeleteYes, I would keep reading too. Beautiful writing and a beautiful cover to match.
ReplyDeleteI like the writing, but not sure the whole theme is up my alley.
ReplyDeleteThe first two sentences do it for me. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great cover!! Yes, I would go on!!
ReplyDeleteI would definitely continue reading. I love the setting and was drawn in immediately.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my blog.
Yes ... I'd definitely keep reading.
ReplyDeleteOh that's very interesting, I'd keep reading. kelley—the road goes ever ever on
ReplyDeleteI love when sounds or smells from childhood take us back and this is a great one. Here's Mine
ReplyDeleteYes, I think I would like this one!
ReplyDeleteAnother one I would keep reading, thanks Diane :)
ReplyDeleteI would keep reading. I've had a cat or two like that.
ReplyDeleteLyrical writing expressed in just a short paragraph. I hadn't heard of this book and don't know anything about the plot, but probably I would pick it up in the future.
ReplyDelete