Welcome to First Chapter/Intros, now hosted by Yvonne @ Socrates Book Reviews.
Each week readers post the first paragraph (or 2) of a book they are reading or plan to read.
Harper Collins (William Morrow) - 7/2021
Prologue
"Toby was just a baby--Alison four years old, Ursula not yet three--the first time they launched the cork people. After that it became their annual tradition.
Eleanor had always loved how, when the snow melted every spring, the water in the brook down the road would race so fast you could hear it from the house, crashing over the rocks at the waterfall. A person could stand there for an hour--and in the old days before children, when she would come to this place alone, she had done that--staring into the water, studying the patterns it made as the brook narrowed and widened again, the way it washed over the smaller stones and splashed against the larger ones. If you felt like it, you might trace the course of a single stick or leaf, some remnant of last summer, as it made its way downstream, tossed along by the current,"
I didn't read the description of this but, does anyone feel the tone to be a bit ominous? I love this author so can't wait to start this one in a few days. What do you think, read more or pass?
It does have an ominous feel to it, and I'd be curious to know more about the "cork people" that the almost-still-toddlers launched every year and who was really behind that.
ReplyDeleteJoyce Maynard is a go-to author for me, I'm pretty sure once I begin this book, I won't be able to put it down - her writing has that effect on me.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read this author before, but last week I put this book on hold because it sounds like a good read. Hope you enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteCatherine, Her stories do not follow a particular pattern but, the way she writes is generally memorable.
DeleteOh, I am so envious that you have this book! I have pre-ordered it, so I can't wait until it finally arrives.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, beautiful descriptions like these do hint of darkness ahead, IMO. I love her work!
I hope we will both enjoy this one. Something about water and those 3 little ones makes me nervous already. Hope to start it this weekend.
DeleteThe idea of the cork people and an annual tradition caught my interest!
ReplyDeleteYes, kind of different for sure.
DeleteI haven't read a book by this author, but I'm now curious since she's your go-to. It definitely sounds ominous!
ReplyDeleteOh she is so good, I think I've read all of her books.
DeleteI have never read Joyce Maynard. Is "ominous" a typical tone for her books?
ReplyDeleteDorothy, I would not say her tone is usually "ominous" but for some reason the mention of the 3 little kids and the water makes me nervous.
DeleteIt sounds pretty boring to me.
ReplyDeleteJoyce Maynard is never boring LOL
DeleteI don't think I have read this author, but the opening does sound ominous. I'd want to read this one.
ReplyDeleteI just started it and it's very good.
DeleteThe cork people? Sounds like an interesting book!
ReplyDeleteA quirky, sweet tradition for the family.
DeleteI would definitely read more.
ReplyDeleteJust started it and am really enjoying it.
DeleteI love Maynard's books and will have to get this one, maybe on audio. She does a great job telling a story from a child's POV, so I hope we hear from Toby, Alison and Ursula. Thinking about Maynard makes me want to reread The Usual Rules, which was outstanding.
ReplyDeleteI started this today and I'm loving the story and how descriptive he writing is in all the right ways. I loved to envision myself in the places she describes. (The Usual Rules was excellent.)
DeletePlus the cover makes it seem a bit sad/spooky... Would definitely read more!
ReplyDeleteI have liked Maynard's books too ... so I say keep going ... and report back whether you like it.
ReplyDelete