Every Tuesday I host First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros, where I share the first paragraph or (a few) of a book I am reading or thinking about reading soon.
The Affairs of Other; Amy Grace Loyd
Picador - 2013
HOPE
"The body of a woman aging. It's a landscape that, even as it vanishes, asks a lot of the eyes. Or it should. No two landscapes the same. They never were the same, no matter their age, but then how time brings details to the body.
Of course every woman's body ages. What's distorting is how friendly it all starts out, with words like smooth and tight and firm, high and pink and wet--words that are given to women's bodies and that they wear around, as comfortably as cotton. And why not? These are gifts they did little to earn. Life does this so rarely--offer unearned or unasked-for rewards. But inevitably the words fall away, one by one: There goes tight, there goes smooth, god even wet. And the words that replace them, that are provisioned, are not nearly so welcome or easy to carry. Some women carry these new ways of addressing their bodies with pride. They'll explain that the knots in their flesh tell a good story. Others celebrate the change of vernacular, the end of a certain kind of surveillance. Or they continue to pursue the first set of words--high, tight, smooth. It's not wrong or it's not for me to say. Who am I to say? I am a young or youngish woman. I am in my late middle thirties, though I could be twenty-five or fifty. I believe I have no age anymore. I am not unattractive but neither am I beautiful. I married a man I first met in college and again later, a few years after graduation. My husband died a difficult death. I went with him, or a lot of me did. I cannot apologize for this nor do I wish to challenge that I am changed."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What
do you think, would you keep reading?
Feel free to join in and post the Intro from one of your reads by linking below.
This one sounds like a book I'd enjoy. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI like the writing on that intro for sure. Hope the rest is as good.
DeleteHave a nice Christmas Laurel.
After reading the intro, I can't help wondering how old the author is . . .
ReplyDeleteI wondered that as well Catherine. She was an editor for Playboy magazine..LOL and looks like shes in her mid 40s
DeleteI remember when this came out from Picador. Hope you enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteMe too, it may be a while befor I start it though.
DeleteI don't know - this might make me think too much about my own body's landscape, about which I would rather NOT think! LOL
ReplyDeleteJill, HOW do you not think about it at our age?? LOL
DeleteI really like that opening... can't wait to hear what you think!
ReplyDeleteI'm anxious to read it just so preoccupied right now.
Deletereally an interesting passage. I hope you're enjoying the reading, Diane. Anyway, merry christmas for you and your family :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Deasy, and hope you have a wonderful Christmas as well.
DeleteI wouldn't continue on since I didn't get through the second paragraph.
ReplyDeleteHey Brian, different strokes for different folks...right?
DeleteWow, I was immediately taken in. I am in the minority so far here in the comment section. Must be that my own personal landscape has so drastically changed. So good, so definitely not so good. I would read on.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on that Judy -- me too.
DeleteI can relate so I would keep reading. The cover grabs my attention as well. Merry Christmas.
ReplyDeleteAging is much tougher on women than men:(
DeleteThis is very fitting with what I've been feeling lately. LOL Or rather thinking about. I would keep reading.
ReplyDeleteMe too Wendy...LOL
DeleteSounds like it will be a powerful read.
ReplyDeleteI think so as well Freda.
DeleteHave a nice holiday.
Sounds like a good read. That intro makes me want to read more.
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked the intro Cynthia.
DeleteVery thought provoking and beautifully worded. I would read it. Would love to read it.
ReplyDeleteIt's wordy, but well written. Hope the rest is as good.
DeleteHopefully, this one stay as interesting as the intro!
ReplyDeleteSounds interesting. Cover interesting as well.
ReplyDeleteI have to echo Jill's comment—this made me WAY too body-conscious!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas Eve! :)
I'm not sure if this would validate my current thoughts about my aging body or just make me unhappy. It does sound intriguing, though! Keep us posted!
ReplyDelete