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.
The Beautiful Bureaucrat; Helen Phillips
Henry Holt & Company - 2015
ONE
"The person who interviewed her had no face. Under other circumstances--if the job market hadn't been so bleak for so long, if the summer hadn't been so glum and muggy--this might have discouraged Josephine from stepping through the door of the office in the first place. But as things were, her initial thought was: Oh, perfect, the interviewer's appearance probably deterred other applicants!
The illusion of facelessness was, of course almost immediately explicable. The interviewer's skin bore the same grayish tint as the wall behind, the eyes were obscured by a pair of highly reflective glasses, the fluorescence flattened the features assembled above the genderless gray suit.
Still the impression lingered"
What do you think -- keep reading or pass?
(Feel free to join in this week by posting your intro below?
Wow, weird phenomenon! I do want to read more....
ReplyDeleteSounds like an interesting read...and I would continue.
ReplyDeleteWhat a strange opening that almost defies the reader not to need to know more - thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteIt's a little different, but I love it! This made me want to read on.
ReplyDeleteI actually read that book and liked it very much!
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite books this year, Diane! I can't wait to hear what you think; I hope you enjoy it. It was fun to read the first paragraph again and think about what it means to me now, after having read the book. Thanks for sharing this one!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely different! Love her attitude.
ReplyDeleteSounds unusual and interesting... I'd like to read more.
ReplyDeleteIt's intriguing, that's for sure. I'd keep reading.
ReplyDeleteI loved this one!! So, so weird and so, so good! And that was definitely one of the weirder openings I've ever seen!
ReplyDeleteSounds interesting. 'd keep reading.
ReplyDeleteI think I've worked at places like that! It sounds great. I'm catching up on books that I have to review, so I don't have a new book to share today. Maybe I'll walk down to the library and grab a book.
ReplyDeleteI like the descriptions in this paragraph. So yes, I would probably continue reading.
ReplyDeleteI like the writing style and want to know more about this interview, so I'd keep reading! Love your photo of the pumpkins! :)
ReplyDeleteUnusual opening that makes me want to know more. I like the description a lot.
ReplyDeleteThe cover caught my eye, and although the opening is a bit strange, the writing appealed to me. I would read more and see what happens next.
ReplyDeleteThat would certainly be a disconcerting first impression.
ReplyDeleteI really did wonder where it was going when they said the interviewer had no face!
ReplyDeleteChippy
Nope, that was a bit weird.
ReplyDeleteI would have to keep reading a bit more to decide.
ReplyDeleteI doubt I would be interested but the comments are so interesting that I've changed my mind!
ReplyDeleteThere's mystery right from the get go! I'd read more.
ReplyDelete