Don't forget to drop by Bibliophile By the Sea and read Diane's selection this week and be sure to visit and read the contributions of other participants in this terrific meme who can be found in the comments!
The Hand that First Held Mine by Maggie O'Farrell
Listen. The trees in this story are stirring, trembling, readjusting themselves. A breeze is coming in gusts off the sea, and it is almost as if the trees know, in their restlessness, in their head-tossing impatience, that something is about to happen.
The garden is empty, the patio deserted, save for some pots with geraniums and delphiniums shuddering in the wind. A bench stands on the lawn, two chairs facing politely away from it. A bicycle is propped up against the house but its pedals are stationary, the oiled chain motionless. A baby has been put out to sleep in a pram and it lies inside its stiff cocoon of blankets, eyes obligingly shut tight. A seagull hangs suspended in the sky above and even that is silent, beak closed, wings outstretched to catch the high thermal draughts.
The house is set apart from the rest of the village, behind dense hedge, on the crest of a cliff. This is the border between Devon and Cornwall, where the two counties crouch, eyeing each other. It is a much-disputed piece of land. It would not do to look too long at the soil here, soaked as it will be with the blood of Celts, Anglo- Saxons, Romans, filled out with the rubble of their bonesWhat are your thoughts about these paragraphs? Would you read this book based on these paragraphs?
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Amy! How are you? I see you're still reading voraciously!
ReplyDeleteRight now I'm reading fluff -- recuperating from knee replacement -- it's easier to concentrate. It's good fluff, though!
Wow, intense opener. I like the way that author writes, and have as yet read nothing by her. So thanks for pointing her out to us, and I hope you enjoy that book.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful opener - I really like O'Farrell's writing style. This book is on my shelf, too. I bought after Matt listed it as one of his favorites a year or two ago. Can't wait to hear if you think I should move it up closer to the top of my towering tbr pile.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to see you posting again, Amy! I hope all is well :)
I loved this book...and everything I've read by this author. And this opening does set the scene for something that is about to happen. Something that will be a defining moment.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing...and for visiting my blog.
I love that intro and was so happy to see you post Amy. Take care with that new knee.
ReplyDeletehappy reading
I like the language, it is very pretty. kelley—the road goes ever ever on
ReplyDeleteHi Amy, great to see you post. I would keep reading for sure.
ReplyDeleteHmmm sounds good and set in my neck of the woods too,xx Rachel
ReplyDelete