Book Beginnings on Friday is a meme now hosted by Katy over at a Few More Pages. It was first started by Becky at Page Turners and inspired by Rose City Reader.
How to participate: Share the first line (or two) of the book you are currently reading on your blog or in the comments. Include the title and author so we know what you're reading. Then, if you like, let us know what your first impressions were based on that first line, and let us know why you did or did not like the sentence. Link up over at Katy's page every Friday.
Here is mine from Penhallow by Georgette Heyer:
Jimmy the Bastard was cleaning boots, in a stone-paved room at the back of the house which commanded, through its chamfered windows, a view of the flagged yard of a huddle of outhouses and a glimpse, caught between the wing of the manor and the woodshed, of one of the paddocks where Raymond had some of his young stock out to grass. Beyond the paddock the ground rose towards the Moor, hidden from Jimmy's indifferent gaze by a morning mist.
First impression: Whoa. Not used to Heyer's mysteries starting out quite so plain-spoken. Next up...well, at least we know where Jimmy stands in this household (he's referred to as J the B throughout as I soon discovered) and that he's not exactly enthralled with his surroundings. Last thought...what the heck is "chamfered?" Grabs dictionary: possessing an oblique face or beveled edge. Hmmm.
That is unusual for a Heyer. I've got this one already. :-)
ReplyDeleteYes, that sentence left me wondering about a lot of things...It doesn't sound like a great view out there, either...lol
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LOL, that's a long first line, but it is intriguing! I need to read more Heyer.
ReplyDeleteThanks for participating in Book Beginnings!