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. This one is totally different from anything I've read in a long time, but I purchased it in 2013 mostly because it takes place in Rhode Island.
The Tell; Hester Kaplan
Harper - 2013
1
"For weeks he'd waited for the wild lilacs arching over the carriage house to bloom, Then, back from teaching and a plodding swim at the Y that afternoon, Owen had spotted the first fat plume with its buds rising like a thousand fists. The driveway's pea gravel had protested underfoot as he broke off a sprig. He'd put the lilacs, delicate, strong-perfumed, in a pitcher on the sill over the sink for his wife, Mira, and saw now, as he looked up from his hands circling under running water water, how their hue matched the lowering sky, the drooping sun. In the tinted early evening, Providence was washed with improbable color, lulled by a pony urban calm, the arterial whoosh of the highway and the digestive rumbling of the train moving out of the station down the hill toward Boston. Behind him at the table Mira read in the paper about the city's boasts and failings, its crimes and peculiararities. His wife's head would be at that absorbed angle as though every story was interesting and in some way personal, but he understood that this sense of knowing her completely was wrong."
What do you think? Keep reading?
Feel free to join in by linking your post below.
I love the descriptions...and the cover is gorgeous. I am definitely curious about this one.
ReplyDeleteLaurel, the cover got me immediately as well. Hope the story is a good one.
DeleteI agree with everything Laurel-Rain said. I want to step right into the cover.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry about the double links. My computer fooled me into thinking I hadn't posted the first attempt.
It's funny how covers, for many of us, are an immediate draw. I'd buy a book with a gorgeous cover even if the story sounded just so so.
DeleteWhat a beautiful description of the setting. The author made me even smell the lilac's blooming. I like the little twist in the last sentence. Yes, I'd keep reading.
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked the intro Margot. I haven't started this one yet but am looking forward to it.
DeleteI love the descriptions in that paragraph, and a lovely cover too. I still don't really know anything about it, but if the rest of the book goes as that beginning it sounds like a great choice. I have a dear friend who is originally from Rhode Island so I would be curious about the setting. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThe cover image is an accurate look at at several of the more pretigious street's in the City's Capital.
DeleteIt is a lovely descriptive start to the book and I'd want to keep reading - I do love Tuesday's when I get to get a taste of so many different lovely books.
ReplyDeleteCleo, so nice of you to look forward to this Tuesday post. I have added many books to my wishlist based on the postings of other bloggers who participate:)
DeleteI prefer books that start with characters. Settings don't do much for me. But I hope you enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteSuzie, me too, I almost thought this was overly descriptive. Despite this I am still a bit curious.
DeleteI love the description for this and unlike Suzie I absolutely love settings. I really want to see the house now and see the flowers! I hope you enjoy this one! Thanks for hosting :)
ReplyDeleteJuli @ Universe in Words
LOL - funny how we all have different draws. I'm more in the Suzie corner on this one, finding it overly descriptive. STill curious though.
DeleteI do love the opening and would definitely keep reading. Yet I hope this quote was from an ARC because the grammatical error has me on my guard. (Reading can be a bit of a busman's holiday for me.)
ReplyDeleteNope, it's from a finished copy LOL
ReplyDeleteThis is a nice opening and I would definitely want to read more. I like the cover, too.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure about this one. Love the cover, but the writing style of the first paragraph was a little flowery for me. I do like the very end of the first paragraph, though!
ReplyDeleteI'm interested by the cover as well, but I love covers - well, not all covers, but I'm a cover watcher. The description of the flowers - I could smell them almost. I might be on the fence about this one, but I'd give it a shot or a 50 page tryout. :-)
ReplyDeleteI love the cover, too. There's a lot going on with all of the description in the opening, but the end of the paragraph got my attention. I'd keep reading because I want to know what's going on with Owen's wife.
ReplyDeleteI guess I am in the majority here. I love the cover and even though very flowery, I love the descriptive beginning. It sets the stage, so to speak. And I am betting we will get some info on Owen and Mira very soon.
ReplyDeleteI like the writing. I'd be interested to read more.
ReplyDeleteNice intro, which has me wanting to know more about this couple.
ReplyDeleteI like the writing style and the opening intrigues me enough to keep reading plus I like the cover. I'd be curious to see your thoughts on it when you read it.
ReplyDeleteI don't think this is a book for me, but I hope you enjoy it:)
ReplyDeleteThe cover is beautiful and the opening is definitely setting a mood with the vivid descriptions - maybe a little over the top for me. I would keep going, though, and hope I adjust to the long adjective filled sentences.
ReplyDeleteI love how descriptive the writing is, really gives you a great visual.
ReplyDeleteI still have a hard time with sentences that are long enough to be paragraphs.
ReplyDeleteThis is an enticing opening! I'd read more, for sure!
ReplyDeleteVery descriptive opening, but I don't think it is my kind of book.
ReplyDelete