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 Madwoman Upstairs; Catherine Lowell
Touchstone - March 2016
(debut)
Chapter 1
"The night I arrived at Oxford, I learned that my dorm room was built in 1361 and had originally been used to quarantine victims of the plague. The college porter seemed genuinely apologetic as he led me up the five flights of stairs to my tower. He was a nervous man--short and mouthy, with teeth like a nurse shark--who admitted through a brittle accent that Old College was over-enrolled this year, and that deans had been forced to find space for students wherever they could. This tower was an annex to Old College. Many tragic and old people have lived here before me, apparently: did I know Timothy the Terrible? Sir Michael the Madman Morehouse? I shook my head and said that I was sorry--I was American."
What do you think -- keep reading or pass?
(Feel free to join in this week by posting your intro below?
Sounds a little spooky...LOL. I do want to read more, though.
ReplyDeleteYes, it has a creep effect but, not overly so.
DeleteA very intriguing opening and I love books set in Oxford.
ReplyDeleteI love school settings.
DeleteI would keep reading, it sounds interesting. :D
ReplyDeleteGlad u liked the intro Christina.
DeleteThis certainly has me interested - right from the first sentence.
ReplyDeleteGlad u liked the intro Margaret.
DeleteI would read it for the title alone...one of the best I've seen in a long time!
ReplyDeleteIt's starting out to be a good read.
DeleteGood opening ... I would keep reading.
ReplyDeleteIt's very easy to get into so far.
DeleteI'd definitely continue for the setting alone.
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree loved the setting as well.
DeleteAah I wanted to read this one so bad but Netgalley wouldn't let me :( It sounds really intriguing though so I guess I'll just have to but it ;) Thanks for sharing and hosting! I hope you have a great week!
ReplyDeleteJuli @ A Universe in Words
Oh no, too bad Juli. Good so far - I like the writing.
DeleteThanks for joining us Juli and, so far so good with this one.
ReplyDeleteI'd continue reading... Although it sounds like a simple sort of opening, there is an underlying darkness there. I hope you enjoy!
ReplyDeleteReading With Jade
The story draws you in (although I just started it).
DeleteLove the cover, and yes I think I'd read more. Sounds mysterious and a little creepy.
ReplyDeleteIt started out very different - liking it though.
DeleteI'd read more.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Donna, Glad it appealed to you.
DeleteOH, I love this! I'm going to look for it because just those first sentences made me want to grab it and go. And it was funny. :-)
ReplyDeleteThere are several passages which made me smile - I like the writing.
DeleteI hope it turns out to be all you hope. I am on the fence about this one. I may put in on the "maybe' list. I'll be waiting to hear what you think at the end.
ReplyDeleteI understand Judy - just so many books for our lists these days.
Deleteooh, sounds good! will look into this one. Mine is here: http://francebooktours.com/2016/01/26/first-chapter-first-paragraph-late-harvest-havoc/
ReplyDeleteOh so happy you joined us this week.
DeleteI hope no ghosts or plague come out of the woodwork. I'd read on to find out more about this room and this girl....
ReplyDeleteLOL - it does make you curious.
DeleteThis sounds like it could be good. I'll be interested to see what you think about it. Here's Mine
ReplyDeleteGlad the intro appealed to you.
DeleteOh yes, I would continue reading. I am wondering what may be upstairs! Love that it is a debut.
ReplyDeleteI do like trying new debut authors.
DeleteThis opening paragraph sounds good. I have this book, but haven't started reading it yet. Now I want to get to it.
ReplyDeleteIt's not a long book, but I just started it.
DeleteI like the sounds of that one too!
ReplyDeleteyay - glad it appealed to you.
DeleteSounds intriguing! I'm curious what that poor American student is in for.
ReplyDeleteLit Student!
DeleteI would love to read this! The blurb mentions a Jane Eyre tie-in, so, yeah, I have to read it. :-)
ReplyDeleteI just started it but, this it would have a wide appeal.
DeleteOh I'm definitely curious! I love that intro. How can you not want to live somewhere that was previously lived in by someone called the Madman?
ReplyDeleteLOL - well that is debatable.
DeleteSchool settings always appeal to me and so does Oxford. I'd give this a try!
ReplyDeleteI love school settings as well. Secret History, Separate Peace and the list goes on.
DeleteI can't help but be curious what the narrator thinks of all that. Personally, I'd find it fascinating!
ReplyDeleteI only read 2 chapters so far but, I'm enjoying it.
DeleteThis is just my style. I love the cover. I am so influenced by great book art. I am going to read it.
ReplyDeleteyay - glad it hooked you too.
DeleteI would definitely keep reading :)
ReplyDeleteDenise, happy you liked the sound of this one.
DeleteOxford setting definitely for me.
ReplyDeleteI love any school settings.
DeleteYou can't beat Oxford as a setting! This sounds fascinating, Diane.
ReplyDeleteSo far on chapter 6 and enjoying this one.
DeleteThis really sounds interesting and like it could have an eerie quality about it. I think you should definitely keep reading. I hope it pans out for you!
ReplyDeleteIt does feel like part mystery but, there is humor as well.
DeleteOhh, this sounds like a page turner.
ReplyDeleteVery good so far Bonnie.
DeleteI have an uncorrected proof of this book, and I can't tell if it's missing chapter 15 or if one of the things needing correction is that the chapters are mis-numbered. Would you mind letting me know how many chapters your copy has and/or what the last numbered page is? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteErin, Unfortunately, my copy is an eGalley so the pages would not match an arc, but the eGalley goes from Chapter 14 to 16 as well.
ReplyDelete