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. Today's selection is by a favorite author - the first paragraph is soon long - sorry
The Guest Room; Chris Bohjalian
January - 2016 - Doubleday
CHAPTER 1
"Richard Chapman presumed there would be a stripper at his brother Philip’s bachelor party. Perhaps if he had thought about it, he might even have expected two. Sure, in sitcoms the stripper always arrived alone, but he knew that in real life strippers often came in pairs. How else could there be a little pretend (or not pretend) girl-on-girl action on the living room carpet? Besides, he worked in mergers and acquisitions, he understood the exigencies of commerce as well as anyone: two strippers meant you could have two gentlemen squirming at once. You could have two girls hovering just above two sets of thighs—or if the girls saw the right combination of neediness and dollar signs in the men’s eyes, not hovering but in fact descending upon each of the men’s laps. Richard wasn’t especially wild about the idea of an exotic dancer in his family’s living room: there was a place for everything in his mind, even the acrobatically tensed sinews of a stripper. But that place wasn’t his home. He didn't want to be a prig, however; he didn't want to be the guy who put a damper on his younger brother's bachelor party. And so he told himself the entertainment would be some girl from Sarah Lawrence or Fordham or NYU with a silly, mellifluous made-up name making a little money for tuition. He didn't completely believe this, but in some backward universe sort of way, he felt a little less reprehensible--a little less soiled--if he were getting turned on by a twenty-one-year old sociology major with a flat stomach and a Brazilian who understood intellectually the cultural politics of stripping and viewed herself as a feminist capitalist."
What do you think -- keep reading or pass?
(Feel free to join in this week by posting your intro below?
I loved The Guest Room! Hope you are enjoying it.
ReplyDeleteI am glad to hear u enjoyed, The Guest Room. I have not started it yet.
DeleteI've read and enjoyed other books by this author (loved Midwives) and this sounds like another good one.
ReplyDeleteThank you for hosting us!
Me too Sandra - all of them.
DeleteI've not read anything by this author but do like that intro very much indeed!
ReplyDeleteCleo, you must try this author so good.
DeleteI've already put this one on my to-read list. I like that first paragraph a lot. It promises a good story.
ReplyDeleteIt seems like a departure for him, but agree it sounds good.
DeleteA favorite author, so yes! I do plan to read it.
ReplyDeleteHe is very popular; love how he writes.
DeleteOh! Somebody else used this one last week didn't they? Or sometime? Anyway, I was intrigued by this opener the first time around, and now the second.
ReplyDeleteMy First Chapter post is here: http://www.bookpunks.com/begins-smoke-gets-eyes-caitlin-doughty/
Yes, it was Laurel and she LOVED the book too.
DeleteI haven't read anything by this author but it sounds like a good one. I'd keep reading.
ReplyDeleteYou must try him Yvonne - so good.
DeleteHe's a good storyteller, so this one is going on my list.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear it Catherine.
DeleteLaurel liked it and now you have featured it. I put in it on my list for 2016. This author is new to me, so I have lots of catching up to do.
ReplyDeleteJudy - you need to try his books, I've read them all and love how he writes.
DeleteIt sounds like he has a bit of difficulty with reality. I'm not sure it's my kind of read although I'm having trouble nailing the genre. Thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteContemporary fiction IMO
DeleteI just downloaded this in audio. I haven't read anything other than the synopsis, but I like the author and definitely be reading it.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to compare notes. Hope to start it tomorrow or by the weekend.
DeleteI'm another that has never read anything by this author.
ReplyDeleteLove your holiday header!
Please try one of his books - so good.
DeleteThat's way too long of a first paragraph.
ReplyDeleteLOL - I felt like that when I read it the first time, but I'm hooked on the author so I know better LOL
DeleteI can't wait to read this one! It's on my must read list. :-)
ReplyDeleteI didn't participate today. :-(
Glad to hear you will be reading this too.
DeleteYou were missed Wendy, but I understand the hecticness of the month:)
That's certainly a unique opening paragraph! It sounds like a promising novel. Thank you for taking the time to share the opening, Diane. I hope you enjoy this book.
ReplyDeleteI hope so as well. I am optimistic that I'll enjoy this one.
DeleteI like Chris B. but I haven't read this one. Girl Who Reads
ReplyDelete