Tuesday, June 28, 2016

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros - The Life of Elves; Muriel Barbery


Every Tuesday I host First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros where I share the first paragraph sometimes two, of a book that I'm reading or plan to read soon.  


(I loved this author's book, The Elegance of the Hedgehog but, I'm probably not going to get too far with this book based on the intro and the fact there are (2) pages of characters listed on the pages following the Table of Contents.) Has anyone read this book yet?


The Life of Elves; Muriel Barbery
Europa Editions - 2015

BIRTHS

THE LITTLE GIRL FROM SPAIN

" The little girl spent most of her hours of leisure in the branches. When her family did not know where to find her, they would go to the trees, the tall beech to start with, the one that stood to the north above the lean-to, for that was where she liked to daydream while observing the activity on the farm; then it was the old linden in the priest's garden below the wall of cool stone; and finally--most often in winter--among the oaks in the combe to the west of the adjacent field, a refluence of terrain planted with three of the most majestic specimens in all the region.  The little girl would nestle in the trees, all the hours she could steal from the village life made of book-learning, meals, and mass, and not infrequently she would invite a few friends to come along, and they would marvel at the airy esplanades she had arranged there, and together they would spend glorious days in laughter and chat."

What do you think -- keep reading or pass? 
(Feel free to join in this week by posting your intro below?





50 comments:

  1. I'm not sure about this one. It does sound intriguing, though.

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  2. I would love to sit in the trees with her. I love the writing. The synopsis has me intrigued as well. I hope you enjoy this one, Diane.

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  3. It has the feel of a historical novel. I can't tell the time period or the setting. I guess I'm showing you how curious I am about this story. Yes, I want to read more.

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  4. I'm not too sure yet - I think I'd read a bit further to find out more because I do like the writing style.

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  5. I too would have to read a bit more to know for sure. I'm curious but totally taken in yet.

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  6. I loved The Elegance of the Hedgehog, too, and this intro is certainly intriguing. Think I'd need to know something about the plot before deciding. Two pages of characters??

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    1. Yes, generally more than 4-5 characters is a definite "jump ship" for me LOL

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  7. I enjoyed The Elegance of the Hedgehog too, but I've never heard the word refluence before. I get the meaning from the way it's used, but you have to wonder about the translator. Perhaps in French the author uses obscure words and the translator wants to keep that going.

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  8. Me either, I actually looked that one up and MW dictionary asked to submit the quote to see how it was used LOL

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    1. Too funny. I'll have to see what OED says.

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    2. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the definition is "flowing back, ebbing." The word's origin is late Middle English and comes from the Latin re (back) + fluere ( to flow). The OED example is "the refluent waters of the Mississippi River."

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    3. Thanks for researching that and posting here Catherine.

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  9. While the opening didn't grab me, I'd keep reading because I loved The Elegance of the Hedgehog. The word refluence caught my eye as well--it's the first time I remember ever hearing or seeing it.

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  10. I love the writing, and it would be fun to read more. I'm intrigued and a little overwhelmed by the number of characters coming in this story, but I'd read more.

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    1. That's my major issue, I don't do well with more than 4 characters :)

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  11. It sounds a little twee for me, as does the title, and it doesn't attract me. (But I might be wrong!) It would be good to have an end of year review where everyone posts their favourite read of the year.
    Miss Cellany.

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  12. I haven't read this author and I was intrigued by the cover and the title. The intro did interest me. Now reading all the seemingly negative reactions, I really want to read it!! Rebel, me!

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  13. I haven't read anything by this author but it certainly sounds interesting. Thanks for sharing.

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  14. I like the first paragraph, but the fact that there are so many characters turns me off.

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  15. I'm not sure, truthfully. I do love the description of sitting up in the tree watching the world go by. By the title I thought at first it was fantasy. Enjoy it if you decide to continue.

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  16. I quite like the intro but the two pages of characters put me off saying yes I'd carry on. Hope you make it through!

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  17. I don't think I would climb in the tree any further!

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  18. Hmm, I think I'd keep reading. I'm curious why she spends so much time there and how it affects her... looks like an interesting read.

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  19. Great descriptive opening but probably not a book I woulkd read.
    Girl Who Reads

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  20. The only one of her books I've read is The Elegance of the Hedgehog. It was mixed for me. Parts I loved and other parts, I really didn't care for much.

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  21. Two pages of characters is off-putting. This one doesn't necessarily grab me.

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  22. Diane, this is a new to me book. I like the passage (I relish trees) but I am not sure I'd read this, due to my erratic reading habits of late!

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    1. I'm a tree person as well but all of the characters are a bit overwhelming.

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  23. I loved The Elegance of the Hedgehog (on audio), but couldn't get interested in Gourmet Rhapsody. I'll probably skip this one, too. Too many characters!

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    1. That will be my reason for deciding not to read this after all.

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  24. I am not that enamored even by the intro so this is not for me.

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  25. I already like the girl, so I want to know more. I don't mind a lot of characters if there is a list and I don't have to make my own-:) I liked The Elegance because there was some plot and some good ideas. I would continue.

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  26. I think this one looks like it would be pretty good. I remember seeing this book somewhere, but I can't quite place where I saw it. I would keep reading because there's a literary classic feel to it.

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