Tuesday, February 15, 2022

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros - The Swimmers; Julie Otsuka

Welcome to First Chapter/Intros, hosted by Yvonne @ Socrates Book ReviewsEach week readers post the first paragraph (or 2) of a book we are reading or plan to read soon.

The Swimmers; Julie Otsuka
Knopf - 2/2022

THE UNDERGROUND POOL

The pool is located deep underground, in a cavernous chamber many feet beneath the streets of our town.  Some of us come here because we are injured, and need to heal. We suffer from bad backs, fallen arches, shattered dreams, broken hearts, anxiety, melancholia, anhedonia, the usual aboveground afflictions.  Others of us are employed at the college nearby and prefer to take our lunch breaks down below, in the waters, far away from the harsh glares of our colleagues and screens.  Some of us come here to escape, if only for an hour, our disappointing marriages on land.  Many of us live in the neighborhood and simply love to swim.  One of us--Alice, a retired lab technician now in the early stages of dementia--comes here because she always has. And even though she may not remember the combination to her locker or where she put her towel, the moment she slips into the water she knows what to do. Her stroke is long and fluid,  her kick is strong, her mind is clear. "Up there," she says, "I'm just another little old lady. But down here at the pool, I'm myself."

What do you think - read more or pass?

18 comments:

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    1. Oh good, I liked the descriptive intro - it leaves me curious.

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    1. I loved that intro - it was so descriptive and well written.

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  3. Nice intro! I'm on the library hold list for this book... either first or second, I think.

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    1. I loved the intro as well, loved how descriptive it was. The book is less than 200 pages so anxious to begin.

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  4. It's a great beginning! I'd read more.

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  5. I would read more. The intro grabbed my attention.

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    1. I liked that as well Yvonne - I started in just a few pages and like the writing.

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  6. That was pretty interesting, I'd sure read on, I liked the intro.

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  7. Hi Diane, read on. There is going to be a few really interesting characters in this book if I sum it up correctly...

    Keep us posted!

    Elza Reads

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    1. I've had a bit of a detour with my reading this week but hope to pick this up this weekend.

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  8. I would definitely keep reading! I love the intro and am curious about Alice.

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    1. I think it is going to be a nice story but, I haven't read much as it's been a hectic week.

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  9. I love the writing style. I would definitely keep reading. I hope you are enjoying this one, Diane.

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  10. Oh I love this intro - especially the last line of it. I'd definitely keep reading.

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