Tuesday, October 25, 2016

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros - Someone; Alice McDermott


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.  "Someone" was my book group pick for October, I read it over the weekend and enjoyed it a lot (review coming after our group discussion).

Someone; Alice McDermott
Farrah Straus and Giroux - 2013

ONE

"Pegeen Chehab walked up from the subway in the evening light.  Her good spring coat was powder blue; her shoes were black and covered the insteps of her long feet. Her hat was beige with something dark along the crown, a brown feather or two. There was a certain asymmetry to her shoulders. She had a loping, hunchbacked walk.  She had, always, a bit of black hair along her cheek, straggling to her shoulder, her bun coming undone.  She carried her purse in the lightest clasp of her fingers, down along the side of her leg, which made her seem listless and weary even as she covered the distance quickly enough, the gray sidewalk from subway to parlor floor and basement of the house next door."

Based on this intro, would you read more or pass on this book?

Feel free to join in by posting your own First Chapter First Paragraph Intro and linking below.

38 comments:

  1. Oh, I do want to know what is weighing on her, why she is so weary. I can imagine all kinds of situations, which makes me want to read this one.

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  2. I'd definitely like to continue.

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  3. I had to read the opening paragraph twice. The first time threw I was just paying attention to all the different colors of her clothing. My second reading was better. I like this writer so I'd to keep reading.

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  4. I love the clothing description in this opener and her black hair across her cheek - yes, I'd continue reading.

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  5. I'm not a huge fan of descriptive openings, so I'd probably pass. Hope you enjoy it, though.

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  6. There is something evocative but also sad about this opening. I like it but not sure I would carry on reading. Do I want to know more?

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  7. Such a descriptive opening! I like this author and the book is on my wish list, so it's an easy decision to continue. Will look forward to your review and your book club's opinion.

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  8. ooh, I've actually read this book. Unfortunately, not one I particularly enjoyed...not for me but I hope you like it better!

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  9. This sounds beautifully descriptive - I would continue reading. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this one.

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  10. I'm a big fan of McDermott and bought this when it was first published - I need to find the time to read it.

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  11. It's an interesting beginning, a bit reminiscent of James Joyce's Dubliners. I'd at least read a bit more.

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  12. I did read this and did enjoy it! I love all of her books.

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  13. I enjoyed the description in the opening. It made me want to know more about this character to find out why she's walking hunched over and listless. As a writer, however, the overuse of the passive verb "was" bothered me... or maybe the author wanted the opening to be passive instead of active.

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    1. After reading the book, the passive makes sense. Hope u try this one.

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  14. It does make me want to continue. sad to say that I've never read one of her books.

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  15. Her description makes her sound like no-one but the title leads us to question what we are being told. Yes, I'd read on.
    Miss Cellany.

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  16. I have loved every Alice McDermott novel I have read. She sometimes creeps up on you slowly. I would continue!

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  17. I love this opening paragraph and am curious about Pegeen (I've never heard this name before!). I've never read anything by McDermott, although I think I had a copy of Charming Billy on my shelf for several years. Not sure what happened to it.

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  18. Sounds good; I've read a book by her in the past. I like the descriptive way she writes. I can imagine being in the room with her...

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  19. Would definitely continue reading!

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  20. Diane, this sounds like a good one. The writing is wonderful. Thanks for the intro!

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