Each Tuesday, Vicki, from I’d Rather Be At The Beach hosts First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros where readers post the opening paragraph(s) of a book that they are reading or plan to read.
The Violent Bear it Away; Flannery O'Connor
Farrar, Straus and Giroux - 2007 edition
1.
FRANCES MARION TARWATER'S uncle had been dead for only half a day when the boy got too drunk to finish digging his grave and a Negro named Buford Munson, who had come to get a jug filled, had to finish it and drag the body from the breakfast table where it was still sitting and bury it in a decent and Christian way, with the sign of its Saviour at the head of the grave and enough dirt on top to keep the dogs from digging it up. Buford had come along about noon and when he left at sundown, the boy, Tarwater, had never returned from the still."
What do you think -- read more or pass?
(I've long loved the way Flannery O'Connor wrote so, this year I'm hoping to catch up on some of her novels that have been on my shelves as unread.)
I'd pass. That first long, run-on sentence was way too long.
ReplyDeleteIt was long but, she writes one heck of a story.
DeleteHmm, I'm curious about this one...very descriptive paragraph. Thanks for sharing, and for visiting my blog.
ReplyDeleteI haven't really started it yet, finishing something else first but, I do like how she writes.
DeleteI've read a lot of her short stories--they are strange and mesmeric. About ten years ago, I read a compilation of her letters, which were also fascinating. Now, I need to get my copy out and refresh myself.
ReplyDeleteI think I'd like the collection of short stories.
DeleteThat is quite a first sentence! I'd like to try O'Connor but am not sure this is the one I'd start with.
ReplyDeleteI've read very little Flannery O'Connor and that is probably my loss. Another one to add to my reading goals.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure I read her in high school since she's a Georgia author but I can't saw I remember what I read. I'm not big on southern authors. See what book we are featuring at Girl Who Reads
ReplyDeleteI have not read anything by Flannery O'Connor and not sure this is the one I would pick up based on that intro. Looking forward to hear more about this book.
ReplyDeleteShe's very talented.
ReplyDeleteFlannery O'Connor is amazing! I have read this one and you would not be sorry if you continued.
ReplyDelete