Tuesday, July 26, 2022

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros - The Only Woman in the Room; Marie Benedict


                                                  

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. 

This is my book club read for this month and it is a real page turner with very few characters. It is Fiction but based on a true story and should make for a good discussion book.

Sourcebooks - 2019 (purchased)

Part One
Chapter One

May 17, 1933
Vienna, Austria

"My LIDS FLUTTERED OPEN< BUT THE FLOODLIGHTS blinded me for a moment.  Placing a discreet, steadying, hand on my costar's arm, I willed a confident smile upon my lips whiIe I waited for my vision to clear.  The applause thundered, and I swayed in the cacophony of sound and light.  The mask I'd firmly affixed to myself for the performance slipped away for a moment, and I was no longer nineteenth-century Bavarian empress Elizabeth, but simply Hedy Kiesler."

What do you think - read more or pass?

22 comments:

  1. Now I am intrigued! Thanks for sharing, and for visiting my blog.

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  2. It does sound like it might be an interesting read.

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    1. I finished it this morning and I liked it but the first half was better than the last IMO.

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  3. I love this author--in my opinion, she's one of the best historical fiction writers. I haven't read this novel yet, but I plan to.

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    1. Yes, I am curious about her other books now Catherine. Glad you like her writing as well,

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  4. It's a great opening! I'd definitely read more. And it's a new author to me, which is always fun. :)

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    1. The story really drew mw but, I did like the first half more.

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  5. I remember reading about this book and the part that 'Hedy' plays in the world - trying not to spoil things. LOL

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  6. I went in knowing very little Kay and it pulled me along. I thought it was good but, the writing was just okay overall - the second part felt a bit rushed.

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  7. This sounds really good. A very descriptive opening.

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    1. It did make me want to read more of what this author has written.

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    1. I did like it and will be curious as to what the group thinks.

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  9. I gotta say, that's one good opening!

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  10. I'm definitely intrigued. Looking forward to your thoughts on it, Diane.

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  11. This one is on my TBR. I've heard mixed reviews about the author (though I do like this opening) but I'm fascinated by Heddy Lamar.

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  12. I started out great IMO - I couldn't get enough but then fizzled out a bit.

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  13. I would definitely be tempted to read on. But knowing that Marie Benedict usually writes historical novels about famous women (oh, gosh--I've read some, so I think so?), I'd probably want to know who she's writing about. Still the year, 1933, and Austria, intrigues me. Aha! I see another commenter says this one is about Hedy Lamarr, so I guess I am interested! Will love to hear what you think! Read on, merrily, into August.

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