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 Home Place; Carrie La Seur
William Morrow - 2014
Chapter 1 -
Sunday, 2 a.m. Mountain Standard Time
"The cold on a January night in Billings, Montana, is personal and spiritual. It knows your weakness. It communicates with your fears. If you have a god, this cold pulls a veil between you and your deity. It gets you alone in a place where it can work at you. If you are white, especially from the old families, the cold speaks to you of being isolated and undefended on the infinite homestead plains. It sounds like wolves and reverberates like drums in all the hollow places where you wonder who you are and what you would do in extremis. In this cold, you understand at last that you are not brave at all."
I am not sure about the opening of The Home Place. I feel like I should like it more but it's not quite drawing me in the way I would expect. I do want to read the book though. I haven't read many books set in Montana.
ReplyDeleteThe Montana setting is what made me pick this one.
DeleteThat intro is begging for me to argue with the narrator. Now I definitely want to keep going.
ReplyDeleteLOL -- funny Margot
DeleteOoh I love the sound of this one! I have a strange liking for the cold, although I hate being really cold, but I find it fascinating, the way it changes a landscape and works on people! I'd definitely keep reading :) Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteJuli @ Universe in Words
Juli, it's weird I'm a seasonal reader cold settings in winter and beachy themes in summer...LOL
DeleteI loved this! It made my list of top 10 reads for last year.
ReplyDeleteHigh praise! Great to hear this.
DeleteLove that opening... off to take a look at the blurb.
ReplyDeleteI loved the opening as well -- anxious to start it sometime this month.
DeleteTopical - it's cold here too!
ReplyDeletebrrr, it's cold here as well.
DeleteI was immediately drawn in by this opening. I'd keep reading!
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked the intro, it drew me in as well.
DeleteI'd keep reading, for the mere fact that it is set in Billings Montana. I've visited there lots of times. I have family in other parts of Montana. I am curious where the story is going. Yes, it is on my list!
ReplyDeleteJudy, it's a place I've wanted to visit but haven't.
DeleteI'd keep reading. The intro pulled me in and I want to know more about the narrator and his/her story.
ReplyDeleteI agree Catherine. I like the writing.
DeleteThe intro has me interested enough to keep reading.
ReplyDeleteme too:)
DeleteVery atmospheric descriptive opening, I would carry on reading, love the sense of place.
ReplyDeleteYes, I can feel the cold, bleakness already.
DeleteThat's an amazing opening. I've enjoyed several books set in Montana (author Ivan Doig) and loved them all. This sounds like another one to add to my collection.
ReplyDeleteI love Ivan Doig's writing as well.
DeleteGave me chills!
ReplyDeleteyes, I agree Freda, but them maybe it's that the temp is 5 degrees outside LOL
Deletevery poetic, I don't like feeling that cold but I did like the beginning paragraph. Thanks for stopping by today. Have a nice week. kelley—the road goes ever ever on
ReplyDeleteKelley, happy you joined us again this week as well. Happy reading.
DeleteI would read some more once I warm up!
ReplyDeletefunny Brian.
DeleteQuite a lyrical opening. I don't like being cold, but I do love the beauty of a fresh snowfall (which is taking place as I type--again!). I glanced at this book when it first arrived in the store, but never went back to it. Thanks for the reminder!
ReplyDeleteReading this makes me feel the cold. The writing is exceptional--I'd read more!
ReplyDeleteHi Diane, I would definitely want to read more of this one.
ReplyDelete