Every Tuesday I host First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros where I share the first paragraph sometimes two from a book I am reading or thinking about reading soon.
Chamber Music; Doris Grumbach
Open Road Media
PART ONE
BEGINNINGS
"I HAVE DECIDED to write this account because, long as my life has been, it has given me no opportunity before this to say what I wish to put down here. Perhaps the time was not right to do so before.
When I was young, and even into my middle years, a scrim of silence surrounded what really happened in our lives. If there was talk, it was quiet conjecture about the little discreet adulteries, the attic madnesses, and the pantry drinking of our friends and neighbors. Rumor and gossip were conveyed in whispers. Secrets were surely no better kept than they are now, but they lived quietly, under breath. They never appeared in public print or were reported by professional gossips on the air waves. They were confined to the inner coils of the private ear, a foot away, perhaps, no father. We closeted our secrets, or forgot them. This we called decorum, and we lived securely under its warm protection."
What do you think -- keep reading or pass?
(Feel free to join in this week by posting your intro below?
Secrets are certainly not kept like they once were--not when your among the elite or a celebrity.
ReplyDeleteI love this intro. I hadn't heard of this book before, but you have me curious, Diane!
Glad u liked the intro. I would hate to be a celebrity now a days, not that I need to worry about that LOL
DeleteThat great opening has me wondering what secrets will be revealed in this story! Sounds like a good book.
ReplyDeleteWith all the social media, cell phones with cameras, security cameras everywhere, etc., it's definitely hard to keep anything private these days.
Yes, secrets are hard to keep these days with so much technology.
DeleteVery good opener. It felt as if he/she was talking directly to me. It cerytainly set me up to want more.
ReplyDeleteGlad u liked it Margot. I thought it was goos as well.
DeleteI like the idea of the "attic madnesses" and "pantry drinking." Sounds like it will be intriguing. Yes, I want to read more.
ReplyDeleteI know it sounds so old-fashioned yet intriguing.
DeleteI really like the opening, like Laurel I love the description of the types of gossip that was shared. I want to know and read more.
ReplyDeleteGossip is always fun to read about, makes me feel like a kid in some ways.
DeleteI'd definitely keep reading. It sounds like there are a lot of secrets to be revealed....
ReplyDeleteGlad u liked the intro Emma.
DeleteOoh this sounds very intriguing! I definitely want to know more, both about the main character but also about these secrets that were so publicly kept! Great intro :) Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteJuli @ Universe in Words
I love stories with secrets - I'm like Nancy Drew. LOL
DeleteThis sounds wonderful! Can't wait to hear what you think.
ReplyDeleteThe intro worked for me to, must finish another book before I start this one.
DeleteYes, secrets are much more open these days, as well as lots of other things. Which is sometimes good and sometime TMI, in my opinion. I'm suspecting that is an older book that's been republished since the publisher is Open Media. Am I correct?
ReplyDeleteYes this is a republish edition, I think it came out in 1993.
DeleteI'd read the book blurbs and more of the chapter to decide!
ReplyDeleteI often need to do that as well:)
DeleteInteresting thoughts on secrets! I would read more...
ReplyDeleteInteresting thoughts on secrets! I would read more...
ReplyDeleteI love stories with secrets that will be revealed.
DeleteDecorum...something definitely lost in the internet age.
ReplyDeleteI would read more. I'm adding it to my list right now!
ReplyDeleteGlad it appealed to you Judy.
DeleteIn my opinion the writing here is very good. It almost has a mythic quality. I would keep reading.
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked the sound of it Brian; I thought the writing style was appealing.
DeleteOh, yes, I would definitely keep reading this one, Diane! I love this description; sounds to me like good ol' Southern living - ha! We're great at keeping secrets to whispers and pretending that this is all part of using our manners. Thanks for sharing this one!
ReplyDeleteLOL - Southern fiction is full of secrets :)
DeleteSounds like there are some dark secrets ready to come out. Hope you enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteThanks I hope so too.
DeleteThat sounds good, I would read more too!
ReplyDeleteGlad u liked the intro Brian.
DeleteI'd keep reading for a bit. I'd like to see how the cover art and title and that opening all fit together.
ReplyDeleteSecrets! Sounds intriguing.
ReplyDelete