Tuesday, September 20, 2016

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros - Commonwealth; Ann Patchett


Every Tuesday I host First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros sharing the first paragraph or two, from a book I'm reading or will be reading soon. (Patchett is a favorite author for me)


Commonwealth; Ann Patchett
Harper - 2016

"The christening party took a turn when Albert Cousins arrived with gin.  Fix was smiling when he opened the door and kept smiling as he struggled to make the connection: it was Albert Cousins from the district attorney's office standing on the cement slab of his front porch.  He'd opened the door twenty times in the last half hour--to neighbors and friends and people from church and Beverly's sister and all his brothers and their parents and practically an entire precinct worth of cops--but Cousins was the only surprise.  Fix had asked his wife two weeks ago why she thought they had to invite every single person they knew in the world to a christening party and she'd asked him if he wanted to look over the guest list and tell her who to cut.  He hadn't looked at the list, but if she were standing at the door now he would have pointed straight ahead and said, Him. Not that he disliked Albert Cousins, he didn't know him other than to put his name together with his face, but not knowing him was the reason not to invite him.  Fix had thought that maybe Cousins had come to his house to talk to him about a case: nothing like that ever happened before but what else was the explanation?  Guests were milling around in the front yard, and whether they were coming late or leaving early or just taking refuge outside because the house was packed beyond what any fire marshall would allow, Fix couldn't say.  What he was sure of was that Cousins was the uninvited, alone with a bottle in a bag."

What do you think? Keep reading or probably pass?

Feel free to join in by posting a link to you First Paragraph Intro below.



27 comments:

  1. I like Ann Patchett, too. Great opening! Definitely one to add to my shelves.

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    1. I have so many books going right now that I'm hoping I can begin this one by the weekend.

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  2. I like Ann Patchett's novels and am planning to read this one. Enjoy!

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  3. I'm definitely interested enough to keep reading although this book wasn't on my radar - I hope the book lives up to your expectations.

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    1. Well, haven't started it but, I an in love with the cover LOL

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  4. This is a complicated opening. I sense lots of family drama coming up. I am intrigued and would keep reading. Plus I love the cover.

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  5. Ha! I almost featured this today too! Oh yes I plan to read this.

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  6. I want to read this book so badly. I have a hold placed on it at the library, but it will be a while. You should definitely keep reading!

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    1. Yes, I happened to see our library holds list and there are something like 400 holds.

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  7. Yes, I'd keep going. Want to know why this guest is so unwanted. I've read other books by Patchett - Bel Canto - loved that one - and others. I'll hopefully get to this one at some point.

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  8. I def want to read this. She was on the radio the other day. You may listen here: http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2016-09-12/ann-patchett-on-her-seventh-novel-commonwealth

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    1. I got the book today from the library. First one to take it out.

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  9. I have this one coming from the library, although its a long list so it may be a while. Everyone, including me, is excited about this latest book from a well loved author. I love that opening paragraph. It makes me eager to read more.

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    1. She is pretty popular so there are lots of holds on her books this way as well.

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  10. Diane,
    Interesting opening and terrific photo! I would like to read something by this author soon. :)

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    1. Oh Susan, she is a favorite author. I've never been disappointed by her although, like many authors, some of her books are better than others.

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  11. Nope. That's way two long and I didn't make it past the third sentence.

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  12. I never miss an Ann Patchett novel and have this on hold at the library. But it was so exciting to read the first paragraph!

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  13. Hmm, not sure. I'm curious about how and why the party took a turn, but the writing doesn't quite pull me in.

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